MORGANTOWN, WV — Penn State rained touchdowns in the second quarter before a monsoon in Morgantown put a halt to the game after it entered halftime.
PSU managed the storm and the Mountaineers with relative ease, resulting in a 34-12 final to give the No. 8 team in the nation its first win of the 2024 season.
For Penn State, it was a win, but also a game that provided a glimpse into many of the nuances this new offense can display and it’s only scratching the surface as far as potential is concerned.
Defensively, Penn State did everything it needed to do and then some including winning the turnover battle and neutralizing West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene and the Mountaineers offense in a big way.
It’s the type of performance the defense is known for, but given it was the first game under defensive coordinator Tom Allen, uncertainty was a plenty. Allen and the defense delivered and should continue to do so for the next few weeks given Penn State’s upcoming opponents: Bowling Green, Kent State, Illinois and UCLA, all at Beaver Stadium.
PSU QB DREW ALLARÂ PUTS IT ALL TOGETHER
Allar played maybe his finest game in the blue and white. He finished 11-for-17 with 216 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He didn’t try to do too much and allowed the game to come to him.
Allar used his arms and legs to take down West Virginia, rushing for 44 yards including two long third down runs to extend drives in the third quarter.
He’s not the prototypical running quarterback, but the threat of him running the ball while being a legitimate threat through the air is a great asset for the PSU offense.
One of the more underrated aspects of Allar’s game is that he didn’t miss a beat with the 139-minute weather delay.
THE NEW PSU OFFENSE CLICKS
Led by Allar, the offense was in a good place throughout Saturday’s afternoon’s contest. It seemed the scheme worked nearly to perfection with a few first-game issues, but there was a lot to be happy with for PSU fans.
The offense featured different sets with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton on the field at the same time. The route trees and passing schemes were able to get guys like Harrison Wallace, III wide open with room to move and continue down the field.
It was as clean of a game for the offense as they’ve had and refreshing to see the multiple personnel sets being utilized under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
PENN STATE WEATHERED THE STORM… LITERALLY
Deja vu struck in a tremendous way for Penn State when the game was suspended due to weather moments after the teams headed to the locker room.
Penn State and WVU waited out a 139-minute weather delay before taking the field again. Penn State capitalized with a 40-yard run by Singleton to all but put the game away.
On the defensive side, Penn State neutralized the West Virginia offense and forced two fumbles while holding WVU’s  starters to 12 points.
