Penn State Nittany Lions win 109th Rose Bowl game over Utah Utes, 35-21
Penn State ended its season with a victory in the 109th Rose Bowl Game, defeating the Utah Utes 35-21.
The first quarter was a stalemate until Penn State cornerback Kalen King hauled in an interception to spur a scoring drive. The Nittany Lions went 82 yards on 11 plays while eating up 4:51 of game time, punching the ball in from the five-yard line. Running back Nick Singleton earned the score on a run out of the T-formation to make it a 7-0 game.
Utah responded with a long drive of its own, moving the ball down the field in a drive that took over seven minutes off the clock. The Utes finished it off with a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cam Rising to tight end Thomas Yassmin to tie the score at seven.
The Nittany Lions quickly replied with another score, this time taking just over three minutes and using tempo to catch the Utes off guard. Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford hit wide receiver Mitch Tinsley in stride for a 10-yard score to give the lead back to Penn State at 14-7.
The scoring pace continued to gain steam from there. Utah found itself in trouble on 3rd-and-10, but a long pass from Rising to Devaughn Vele got the Utes downfield and they scored quickly from there with a 19-yard run by Ja’Quinden Jackson on a play where multiple Nittany Lions missed tackles. That tied the game back up at 14.
Utah got a stop on Penn State’s next drive, giving the Utes a chance to take the lead at the half and then get the ball back after halftime. However, the Penn State defense came up big and got a big sack to end the half tied.
The defense found a similar result to start the second half to get the ball back to Penn State’s offense and Singleton made the Utes pay for their offensive struggles. The freshman running back broke off an 87-yard run for a touchdown to give his team the lead on the Nittany Lions’ first drive of the second half.
Things changed for Utah from there, with Rising leaving the game due to an injury. He was replaced by Bryson Barnes, who threw an interception to end his first drive. Ji’Ayir Brown hauled in the interception for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State wasn’t able to capitalize and Utah went back to work with Barnes. He leaned on his running game to get the ball to near midfield, but a Penn State sack put the Utes behind the sticks and ultimately helped force a punt.
Clifford and KeAndre Lambert-Smith made the Utes pay with an 88-yard touchdown pass that extended the lead to 28-14.
The Nittany Lions held on from there, closing out the victory and ending the season with an 11-2 record.
Player of the game
Penn State RB Nick Singleton: Penn State has leaned on its running game all season and Sunday was no different. The Nittany Lions utilized both of their freshmen runners but it was Singleton who shined against Utah. His first touchdown of the game opened the scoring and his second gave the Nittany Lions the lead early in the second half. The second, his 87-yarder, showed off his elite size, strength and agility as he avoided a tackle and darted down the field, outrunning the entire Utah defense. Singleton’s performance is an indication of just how good he can be and what should be another dominant season next year with the Nittany Lions.
What the win means
Penn State now carries some momentum into the 2023 season after kicking off the year with a win. The Nittany Lions may not see any tangible on-field benefit next year from this, but should earn a higher ranking in the AP top 25 poll and will likely be perceived in a better light nationally. That’s always positive when the College Football Playoff conversation is a subjective one. Not to mention, it should help a small amount with recruiting and give the program a better chance to haul in a better 2024 class.
This story was originally published January 2, 2023 at 8:32 PM.
