No. 7 Penn State beats UCLA as Drew Allar throws TD, runs for another
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UCLA kicker Mateen Bhaghani (94) celebrates a field goal against Penn State with offensive lineman Josh Carlin (54) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) pressures UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin (6) looks to elude Penn State linebacker Kobe King (41) on a run during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo (2) sacks Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) is tackled by UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas, center right, tackles UCLA running back Jalen Berger (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin (6) throws a pass while being pressured by Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) looks to elude UCLA defensive back K.J. Wallace (7) on a run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to pass against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
STATE COLLEGE — Drew Allar threw for 237 yards with a touchdown and ran for another score to lead No. 7 Penn State to a 27-11 win over UCLA on Saturday.
Playing without star running back Nick Singleton, Tyler Warren caught a touchdown pass in the last minute of the first half and Kaytron Allen ran one in from 1-yard out in the third quarter. Allar opened the scoring with a 1-yard run of his own in the second quarter. Ryan Barker made two field goals and the Penn State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) defense turned in another dominant second half to cap a four-game home stand.
“I think our third-quarter defense all year has been ridiculous,” coach James Franklin said — in a good way.
UCLA (1-4, 0-3) made it 7-3 on Mateen Bhaghani's 25-yard field goal, and then Penn State burned nearly the rest of the first half with another long scoring drive that ended with Warren's catch.
“When we get into heavy personnel, it’s hard to match up with us,” said Allar, who completed 17 of 24 passes. “We’re able to spread the formation wide into an open set, it causes a great deal of stress.”
The Bruins scored a touchdown in the last minute of the game on a 1-yard pass from Justyn Martin to Logan Loya and converted the two-point try.
“Defense came out and played well,” UCLA coach DeShaun Foster said. “Offensively, we just kept putting them out on the field in situations that weren’t exactly ideal.”
UCLA: The Bruins have played hard on defense but aren’t getting help on the other side of the ball. The UCLA offense entered its first Big Ten road game ranked 127th nationally in total offense. The unit was averaging just 262 yards per game, and without starting quarterback Ethan Garbers, who sat out with a leg injury, couldn’t get anything going.
Penn State: The bullish back Allen moved piles all day, Allar was accurate and timely and the defense forced four punts, two turnovers on downs and held its third-straight opponent to less than 100 rushing yards.
Singleton suited up and warmed up with his teammates, but did not play.
Franklin, whose policy is to only announce injuries if they are season-ending, did not elaborate on a time frame for the junior to return.
This game was the first of the season in which Penn State failed to rush for 100 yards. Allen led the way with 78 of the team’s 85 rushing yards on 21 carries.
“I thought we’d have him Thursday,” Franklin said. “I thought we’d have him Friday. Literally was a last-minute deal.”
The Nittany Lions peppered in talented freshman Quinton Martin Jr. to make up for Singleton’s absence.
The Nittany Lions weren’t as explosive as they were a week ago, but still were able to hang in and should stay put in the Top 10.
UCLA: Hosts Minnesota on Oct. 12.
Penn State: Visits No. 11 USC on Oct. 12.
