It wasn’t pretty but Penn State ended up beating FIU by a comfortable margin at Beaver Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Penn State only led 10-0 at the half, which considering the team was a six-touchdown favorite, was an outcome that left plenty of fans frustrated, to say the least.
But if Penn State is going to win a national championship, it will have to win ugly, and an unseasonably chilly early-September afternoon at Beaver Stadium was the first such case of Penn State getting an ugly win.
After turning it over on downs on their first possession, Penn State struck first, driving 87 yards on 10 plays in 3:54.
The drive ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Drew Allar to Khalil Dinkins.
It stayed 7-0 through the first quarter.
Penn State’s offense stalled for most of the second quarter, as well, only adding on when Ryan Barker made his fifth consecutive field goal to start the season, this one from 41 yards out.
Although Penn State led 10-0 at the break, it was an ugly half considering PSU came in as seven-touchdown favorites. Penn State was only outgaining FIU 190-151, so the game was closer than it should have been both on the scoreboard and in more advanced stats.
Penn State got the ball to start the second half and, once again, had to settle for a field goal.
But on the next drive, a beautiful 42-yard TD pass from Drew Allar to Devontae Ross virtually put the game to bed.
Singleton added a late touchdown in the fourth quarter to make it 34-0.
No. 2 Penn State looks to keep it going next Saturday against Villanova. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on FS1.
