STATE COLLEGE | Penn State football fans wanted Tyler Warren in the red zone last week against Ohio State. Well, they certainly caught him in the first half Saturday night against Washington.

Warren scored a pair of third-and-goal touchdowns for the Wildcat, as No. 6 Penn State took a 28-0 lead over the Huskies in the annual White Out at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions showed no Ohio State hangover, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions for the first time this season. Every touchdown came in the red zone, and quarterback Drew Allar didn’t take the snap on any of them.

State of Pennsylvania dominated the first half, outscoring Washington 264-71, going 7-for-7 on third down and allowing just 12 rushing yards. Defensive end Abdul Carter had his quick legs, recording two tackles for loss, and safety Jaylen Reed made his third interception of the season.

Here is the summary of the first half from Beaver Stadium.

Penn State fails to rally to cap excellent first half

The Nittany Lions ran a sharp two-minute offense, emphasizing the run, to close the first half with touchdowns on all four of their possessions. Penn State scored three of those touchdowns on third-and-goal, including Drew Allar’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Julian Fleming. Running back Kaytron Allen looked particularly lively on a 17-yard gain during which he darted in and out of a block to gain the red zone.

There, Allar finally threw a Big Ten touchdown pass to a receiver for the first time. Fleming’s touchdown pass also marked his first receiving score since October 2022, when he was with Ohio State.

Tyler Warren scores two touchdowns

Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki evidently heard the questions (“Where’s Warren?”) on the Nittany Lions’ four-and-out red zone possession in a 20-13 loss to Ohio State. So he called Warren’s number twice from the Wildcat against the Huskies. Warren scored on both plays, going over on the first and second.

Maybe a week late. But anyway, Warren also jumped under the lights again. On the first touchdown, Warren jumped over the Washington front for his second primetime touchdown jump of the season. Warren scored on a similar play against Illinois, leaving a sea of ​​white in Beaver Stadium wondering where that play went against Ohio State.

Penn State offense opens assertively

After the tame finish against Ohio State, the Nittany Lions needed to make their mark on this game quickly. They did it with a nine-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that backup quarterback Beau Pribula capped with an 8-yard scoring run. A better result in the red zone than last week against the Buckeyes.

Penn State got into its offensive rhythm behind a lively Nicholas Singleton, who carried four times for 31 yards. He also benefited from a targeting penalty against Washington safety Thaddeus Dixon, who was ejected for raising his head at Penn State receiver Omari Evans, who went to the injury tent on the sideline after the play. He returned to the game later in the first quarter.

Dixon’s ejection is significant for Washington’s defense. He leads the Huskies with eight pass deflections and has one interception.

Jaylen Reed gets another interception

Penn State safety Jaylen Reed continues to frustrate opposing quarterbacks. In the second quarter, Reed intercepted a nervous Will Howard, putting the Nittany Lions offense in good field position. The interception was Reed’s third in four games, and the post-play interaction was just as entertaining.

Reed, who was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after pick-6s against Wisconsin (his own) and Ohio State (Zion Tracy’s), calmly tossed the ball to a referee before running into the arms of coach James Franklin.

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