Penn State Shuts Down Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (EYT) – Penn State outgained Rutgers 549 to 87 on its way to a 39-0 win over the Scarlet Knights at Rutgers.

(Photo of Andrea Robinson. Photo by Paul Burdick. Check out more of Burdick’s work here)

The Nittany Lions (9-2 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) have won seven straight games, their longest win streak since 2011 and seven straight Big Ten games, their longest Big Ten win streak since 1994. With the victory, Penn State kept alive its hopes for the Big Ten East title. The eighth-ranked Nittany Lions would win the Big Ten East with a win over Michigan State next week and an Ohio State victory over Michigan.

After a lackluster first half that saw Penn State put up yards but settle for three Tyler Davis field goals and a 9-0 lead at the break, the Nittany Lions poured it on in the second half scoring 30 points.

Four different players scored touchdowns.

Saquon Barkley scored the game’s first touchdown on a 1-yard run right after the Nittany Lions blocked a punt giving them the ball at the Rutger’s 10-yard line.

Andrea Robinson (6-yard run), Mark Allen (27-yard pass from Trace McSorley) and Tommy Stevens (12-yard run) also scored for Penn State, while Davis added his fourth field goal in the third quarter setting a career high for made field goals by the junior kicker who never kicked in high school and played college soccer at Bradley his freshman season.

Barkley, who left the game late in the third quarter with what appeared to be a head injury – he was seen joking on the sidelines but didn’t return to the game – ran for 92 yards on 16 carries, while freshman Mile Sanders had 85 yards on five carries.

McSorley was 17 of 33 passing for 210 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 55 yards. He spread the wealth to six different receivers with Mike Gesicki catching a team-high five passes for 47 yards.