Penn State hit two big plays, and the defense shut down Utah as Penn State defeated Utah 35-14 in the Rose Bowl on Monday evening in Pasadena, California.
After Utah deferred to start the game, both teams went three and out to begin the game.
On Utah’s second drive of the game, they were driving down the field when Kalen King came up with the interception on a bad throw by Cam Rising.
On the ensuing drive, Penn State drew first blood when Nicholas Singleton scored on a five-yard touchdown run on a drive that capped off an 11-play 82-yard drive that was highlighted by a 15-yard reception to Tyler Warren, a Theo Johnson 38-yard reception, and a 16-yard run by Kaytron Allen.
Penn State led Utah 7-0 at the end of the first quarter,
Utah on the ensuing drive when Thomas Yassmin scored on a one-yard touchdown pass on a 13-play 75-yard drive that featured a fourth down conversion by Rising and a lot of chippy play on the field.
On the ensuing drive, Sean Clifford threw a ten-yard touchdown Pass to Mitchell Tinsley to cap off a six-play, 70-yard drive that featured a32 yard reception to Keandre Lambert-smith and a 20-yard reception by Trey Wallace.
Utah responded when Ja’Quinden Jackson scored on a 19-yard touchdown run that capped off a six-play 75-yard drive that featured a 47-yard pass from Rising to DeVaughn Vele for 47 yards.
The game was tied at 14 at halftime.
After Utah’s first drive of the second drive stalled, Penn State went back on top on an electrifying 87-yard run by Singleton The drive capped off a three-play 95-yard drive.
On the next drive, Rising had to come out of the game due to a knee injury and the new quarterback Bryson Barnes threw an interception to Ji’Ayir Brown.
Utah, however, controlled the field position throughout the third quarter beside the Singleton run.
Penn State led 21-14 after three quarters.
In the first play of the fourth quarter, Clifford connected on an 88-yard touchdown pass to Keandre Lambert-Smith, which was the longest pass in Rose Bowl history to make it a two-score game.
Penn State sealed the game when Allen scored on a one-yard touchdown run on a drive that featured a catch to Wallace for 20 yards. The drive took five plays and 47 yards.
Utah scored a late touchdown when Barnes connected with Jaylen Dixon on a five-yard touchdown pass that took eight plays and 78 yards.
James Franklin is the first African American coach to win the Rose Bowl game.
Penn State will start its 2023 regular season when it plays West Virginia on Sept. 2 while Utah will host Florida on the same date.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
