Penn State’s Rose Bowl Report Card: A Signature Finish

PASADENA, Calif. | Contemplate this statistic. Over the previous 9 seasons, Penn State is 3-1 in New 12 months’s 6 bowls. The Lions’ newest was the spectacular 35-21 victory over Utah within the 2023 Rose Bowl.

Throughout that very same stretch, solely Alabama (6-0) and Clemson (5-1) have increased successful percentages than Penn State in NY6 bowls amongst groups with no less than 4 appearances (CFP title video games however). The Lions (11-2) are knocking. Maybe they open the door over the subsequent two seasons.

Within the meantime, Penn State celebrated its first Rose Bowl victory since 1995, one which accomplished a five-game ending run wherein the workforce outscored its opponents by a mean margin of 27.8 factors.

Penn State capped a formidable run with a signature end. To the report card.

OFFENSE: A

Utah, which entered the sport with the Pac-12’s top-ranked speeding and scoring protection, had not allowed an offensive play of 80+ yards since 2018. The Lions beat the Utes for 2 within the second half alone. Nicholas Singleton’s 87-yard landing run towards a run-stopping entrance was a marvel of execution, and Sean Clifford’s 88-yard landing cross to KeAndre Lambert-Smith blended timing, savvy and velocity.

The Lions grew to become the primary workforce in Rose Bowl historical past with 80-yard speeding and passing touchdowns and likewise mustered a 12-play landing drive that was amongst Clifford’s greatest this season. General, a stunning season capstone.

DEFENSE: B+

The Lions gave up their longest play, a 47-yard completion, on a Third-and-10 blitz entrance that did not get residence. Additionally they missed a number of tackles, notably from the linebackers, that helped Utah rush for 184 yards. They usually weren’t nice on third down; Utah transformed 11 third-down makes an attempt, the second-most in bowl historical past.

That stated, Penn State generated two turnovers (picks by Kalen King and Ji’Ayir Brown), made six sacks and had 9 tackles for loss. “What a second,” Brown repeated earlier than being named the sport’s defensive MVP. Linebacker Curtis Jacobs had two sacks towards backup quarterback Bryson Barnes, who changed injured Utah starter Cam Rising.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Punter Barney Amor punctuated his profession with three makes an attempt downed contained in the 20, together with one on the 1-yard line. The protection groups have been stable as regular and Chris Stoll, the nationwide lengthy snapper of the yr, ended his profession because the “Mr. Constant” Franklin calls him. Kicker Jake Pinegar has made 195 profession additional factors, rating fourth in Large Ten historical past.

COACHING: A

One may nitpick with some minor selections, such because the timeout Franklin referred to as to start overview of a Utah landing catch. However that is menial. Penn State ran an distinctive offensive sport plan at Utah, one which allowed Clifford to play managed soccer, sought to run tempo at instances and executed two enormous performs. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s stress turned Utah into an 18-for-40 passing mess.

Finally, the Lions turned a 14-14 halftime tie into a reasonably comfy win by outscoring Utah 21-0 by way of the third and fourth quarters. That is a credit score to their big-picture method from November onward and their small-ball focus towards the Utes.

OVERALL: A

Franklin’s groups have frittered away some bowl video games, notably final yr on the Outback Bowl, the place the Lions performed with out half their beginning protection. The buy-in of the opt-ins this yr resonated throughout the roster, resulting in robust performances from veterans and younger gamers alike.

To do all that whereas honoring Franco Harris led to a memorable night time in Pasadena. Now, the Lions search to take the subsequent step and grow to be a Faculty Soccer Playoff qualifier.

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State information, opinion and perspective on the SI.com community. Writer Mark Wogenrich has coated Penn State for greater than 20 years, monitoring three teaching staffs, three Large Ten titles and a catalog of nice tales. Comply with him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And contemplate subscribing (button’s on the house web page) for extra nice content material throughout the SI.com community.