No. 4 Penn State overcomes slow start to beat Maryland and advance to Big Ten title game
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Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula (9) scores a touchdown against Maryland during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula (9) celebrates a touchdown against Maryland during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (10) hurdles Maryland defensive back Dante Trader Jr. (12) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant, center left, sacks Maryland quarterback MJ Morris, center top, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass against Maryland during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) gains yardage against Maryland during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) sacks Maryland quarterback MJ Morris (7) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
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Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) hurdles Maryland defensive back Kevis Thomas (25) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
STATE COLLEGE — Drew Allar threw for a touchdown and ran for another score as No. 4 Penn State beat Maryland 44-7 Saturday and advanced to its first Big Ten championship game since 2016.
Nick Singleton ran for two touchdowns, Beau Pribula rushed for a TD and tossed a scoring pass to Tyseer Denmark, and star tight end Tyler Warren caught at TD pass for the Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP), who will face No. 1 Oregon for the Big Ten title in Indianapolis on Dec. 7 with a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff at stake.
Penn State's path to the conference title game was cleared when Michigan beat No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 in Columbus, Ohio.
“We knew, but I didn’t say anything to the team," Penn State coach James Franklin said of the Michigan victory. “Actually, I did the opposite, I said Maryland, Maryland, Maryland, Maryland.”
Nittany Lion fans in Beaver Stadium on a frigid, windy afternoon went quiet early, after a disastrous opening sequence against the struggling Terps (4-8, 1-8).
Maryland turned a Singleton fumble into a 7-0 lead two plays into the game before Penn State shook off its miscues and went on to rout its regional rival.
The Nittany Lions scored touchdowns on four of their five possessions in the second quarter, and the Penn State defense forced four punts, a turnover on downs and had two interceptions before halftime to help secure the team's fourth straight win in the series.
Singleton, Allar and Pribula scored on short runs capping quick possessions after Maryland turnovers.
Warren, one of college football’s most dynamic players, set a Big Ten record for receptions by a tight end in the first quarter. He also became Penn State’s all-time leader in touchdown catches by a tight end with his 17th on a 7-yard pass from Allar that gave Penn State a 31-7 lead at halftime.
“We needed to win and play well,” Franklin said. “A lot of eyes looking at these games, looking at the statistics. All those things are important. We’re fighting to keep this family together as long as we possibly can. Wins do that.”
Maryland crossed midfield just once in each half and stalled out each time. Penn State played backups for much of the second half.
Allar finished 17 of 26 for 171 yards, while Singleton ended with 104 offensive yards on 16 touches.
Maryland's MJ Morris was 14 for 24 passing for 112 yards with three interceptions. Running back Roman Hemby gained 64 yards on 13 carriers for the Terps.
“Disappointing end to a long, long season," Maryland coach Mike Locksley said. “Disappointed. Disappointed in the way this thing finished. Disappointed in our inability to get things going.”
Penn State could move up to No. 2 after Ohio State’s loss.
Penn State: The Nittany Lions haven’t started games well all season, but they sure do finish well. In addition to the forced turnovers and punts, Penn State’s defense recorded six sacks and four quarterback hurries. Franklin improved to 9-2 against Maryland since the Terps joined the Big Ten in 2014.
Penn State: Faces No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten championship game Dec. 7.
