No. 2 Penn State Crushes Nevada 46-11 to Open 2025 Season

University Park, PA – Penn State (1-0; 0-0; No. 2 AP/No. 3 Coaches) opened its 132nd season of football playing its first against the Nevada Wolf Pack of the Mountain West Conference with a resounding 46-11 win.

The Wolf Pack received the opening kickoff, marching into Nittany Lion territory when EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton forced Wolf Pack running back Ky Woods fumble that was recovered by cornerback AJ Harris. 

Penn State would unveil their new wide receivers with quarterback Drew Allar finding Kyron Hudson, who was the first Penn State wide receiver to make a reception since Harrison Wallace III in the fourth quarter of the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State, leveraging Trebor Pena on a 13-yard rush play. 

Following a Drew Allar third down conversion, the Nittany Lions would cap their opening possession of the season with a Nick Singleton one-yard touchdown to go up 7-0.

On Nevada’s first play on their second drive, defensive tackle Zane Durant intercepted a Chubba Purdy pass returning it to the six-yard line that would lead into a 28-yard Ryan Barker field goal to put the Nittany Lions up 10-0.

In the second quarter, Penn State began to find a rhythm on the ground.

Senior running back Kaytron Allen would score on a 12-yard rushing touchdown, part of his 43 yards rushing on the day.

After Nevada was able to drive 59 yards, getting deep into Penn State territory, settling for a field goal, kick returner King Mack had an electrifying 73-yard return that would set up another Barker field goal from 28 yards out to go up 20-3.

The Penn State defense would stifle any Nevada offensive giving the offense one last first half opportunity. 

Lining up primarily in the shotgun, Allar would go 6 for 8 for 69 yards, finding Hudson on a 31-yard touchdown in the end zone to give the Nittany Lions a 27-3 halftime lead.

Penn State on their opening second half possession drove to the Wolf Pack 15-yard line before stalling, settling up for Barker’s third field goal of the day to go up 30-3.

Following a Herschel Turner fumble, forced by Dennis-Sutton his second of the day and recovered by safety Zakee Wheatley.

On the ensuing play off the turnover, Pena caught an Allar swing pass taking it to the Nevada one-yard line, setting up a short Singleton touchdown, his second of the game.

The Nittany Lions failed on their first two-point conversion of the season when punter Riley Thompson was sacked, keeping it a 36-3 game midway through the third quarter.

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Penn State would continue pushing the Wolf Pack backwards with their fifth zero or negative yard drive, the Nittany Lions offense drive had promise of being explosive when on the first play with Allar connecting with Singleton on a 22-yard wheel route.

However, their drive was stalled setting up Barker, who connected on his fourth field-goal of the game – his second career game with four or more field goals from 39 yards out to increase the Nittany Lion lead to 39-3.

After Nevada turned the ball over on downs deep in Penn State territory, reaching the Nittany Lion six-yard line, Franklin would begin mass substitutions starting with redshirt freshmen Ethan Grunkemeyer behind center and redshirt sophomore Cam Wallace at tailback.

Penn State starting quarterback Allar would finish 22 for 26 passing for 217 yards passing and a touchdown.

The backups on their first possession drove 94 yards that was capped by a Grunkemeyer six-yard rushing touchdown that would conclude scoring on the day, to put the Nittany Lions up 46-3.

Nevada did not stop competing, driving eight plays for 50 yards that was capped by a A.J. Bianco touchdown nine-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcus Bellon.

Nevada was successful on their two-point conversion when Bianco located tight end Jett Carpenter to conclude scoring.

Penn State outgained Nevada 438-203 in total offense, with decisive edges in first downs (25-13) and turnovers (3-0).

There was an announced 106,915 in paid attendance.

Penn State will face the Florida International University (FIU) Panthers from Conference USA in its second game.

FIU opened their season with a 42-9 victory over FCS Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. 

The game is scheduled for 12:00 PM (Eastern) in Beaver Stadium, broadcast on the Big Ten Network.