Penn State Drops 3rd Straight Before Record Crowd

Penn State played USC before the largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history.

Unfortunately for the home fans, they went home disappointed.

Behind a stellar performance from QB Jayden Maiava, who finished 21 of 33 for 301 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

USC drew first blood on its first possession of the game. Maiava hit Trent Mosley for a 19-yard touchdown.

Penn State answered on the next possession with a 13-yard TD pass from Rocco Becht to Andrew Rappleyea.

But USC retook the lead on Maiava’s second touchdown pass, this one to Tanook Hines. Penn State tied it again on the next possession with a 3-yard run by Carson Hansen.

That was the last anybody would score until 2:11 left in the second quarter, when a field goal made it 17-14.

Ryan Barker tied the game with a 48-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Penn State got the ball to start the second half, and USC surprised everybody by calling for an onside kick. It didn’t work for the visitors, and PSU set itself up at the USC 47. Penn State capitalized to an extent, with another Barker field goal, this one from 35.

USC answered on the next possession with a 13-yard touchdown run by King Miller.

On the next drive, PSU drove to the USC 7 before settling for another Barker field goal.

But, once again, USC’s offense answered, this time on a 10-yard pass from Maiava to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt.

That ended up being the last score of the game.

Penn State will get back at it next Saturday at Michigan. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on FS1.