In a non-traditional format, Penn State’s defense beat Penn State’s offense, 17-13, before an announced crowd of 62,000 at the 2022 Blue-White game.
Coach James Franklin decided to break up the game into eight official sections. Some periods were goalline and point after try drills and 7-on-7 segments that didn’t count on the scoreboard. The scoring system looked like this:
DEFENSE
- Defensive touchdown— 7 points
- Safety— 2 points
- Fumble recovery— 2 points
- Interception— 3 points
- 3-and-out— 2 points
- Sack— 2 points
- Forced punt— 1 point
OFFENSE
- Touchdown— 6 points
- Extra point— 1 point
- Field goal— 3 points
With a 13-yard touchdown pass from Sean Clifford to Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley, the offense struck first. The defense got four points thanks to two three-and-outs and subsequent punts. Manny Diaz’s unit tied the score when Bobby Walchak intercepted a Drew Allar pass. Walchak also had a sack in the game.
The defense got another point on a sack and two more on a subsequent three-and-out and punt.
After halftime, a three-and-out and punt put the defense up 13-7, and Sander Sahaydak kicked a field goal to make it 13-10. A sack by Nick Dawkins of Christian Velieuxx pushed the defense’s lead back to five.
The defense got three back in segment six on a Jake Pinegar field goal and trailed by two going into the last two segments. The defense held on for the win after a 4th and two pass fell incomplete.
Penn State’s next game at Beaver Stadium will be Sept. 8 against Akron.
