Penn State turned the ball over twice in its first three possessions but leads Northwestern, 14-0, at the half.
Sean Clifford threw his second interception of the season to end Penn State’s second possession, and fans weren’t happy about that.
He regrouped, however, and found tight end Brenton Strange for a touchdown later in the first quarter.
For the most part, Nick Singleton had a good half, finishing the half with 80 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He also fumbled twice and lost both of them.
After Kaytron Allen rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries last week against Central Michigan, he has gained 0 yards on 0 carries today, and to steal from Pepper Brooks of the 2004 classic “Dodgeball: A true underdog story,” “his absence is noticeable.”
There were good things and bad that happened to Penn State in this game’s first 30 minutes, and here’s how Twitter reacted to the positives and negatives.
Very poor decision from Sean Clifford leads to Northwestern INT https://t.co/eODAsAwZvW
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) October 1, 2022
Death taxes and Sean Clifford back foot INTs
— Jordy (@JordyFaux) October 1, 2022
I'm sorry, but at this point if you truly believe Sean Clifford should be starting over Drew Allar I have every right to assume you're an idiot.
— Marty (@msj41817) October 1, 2022
Nick Singleton with his first official fumble of the game, had one earlier but was ruled down.
Rain already playing a factor for teams today here at State College.
— Andrew Harbaugh (@MandrewNFL) October 1, 2022
.@NickSingletonn keeps chugging as he punches in the 2yd run for his 5th touchdown of the season! pic.twitter.com/nQyEL8njfw
— PennState.Rivals.com (@PennStateRivals) October 1, 2022
Nick Singleton with 14 carries for 56 yards and an emphatic TD run. He also had an 11-yard catch on that drive.
This first half is the closest to a bell-cow performance for a Penn State back as we've seen in a while.
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) October 1, 2022
Kaytron Allen hasn’t appeared and KeAndre Lambert-Smith hasn’t returned.
KLS got hurt on Penn State’s second play. Not sure what is going on with Allen.
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) October 1, 2022
That was BEAUTY from Mike Yurcich. Phew.
Also, Brenton Strange might win the Mackey Award
— Max Ralph (@maxralph_) October 1, 2022
We've yet to see RB Kaytron Allen, the B1G freshman of the wk, in game action today
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 1, 2022
Kaytron Allen just watching this one from the sideline
— Bob Flounders (@BobbyFlo7) October 1, 2022
My only comment is where is Kaytron Allen today?
He was great last week, this type of game is meant for him. Give me Fatman in the second half.
— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) October 1, 2022
Still no Kaytron Allen. Seems like something is up there.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 1, 2022