[Live Blog] Penn State vs. Kent State
Good afternoon, Penn State fans! We’re finally back in Beaver Stadium for Penn State’s first season-opening home game since 2011, as James Franklin’s Nittany Lions will take on Kent State at 3:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. We will have updates throughout the game on this page, including game analysis, photos, and more. Here’s the media information you’ll need and here’s our staff’s game predictions.
Fourth Quarter
END GAME — Penn State defeats Kent State 33-13.
1:00 — Touchdown, Mike Gesicki! McSorley hits a wide open Gesicki for his second touchdown of the game.
10:00 — The teams trade punts, with neither gaining an advantage. Garrett Sickels has had quite the quarter, but Kent State still hanging around.
Third Quarter
0:02 — PICK! Brandon Bell picks off Agner to cap the third quarter.
5:00 —
The drive didn’t result in a touchdown, but McSorley’s dime to Thompkins was a sight to see. pic.twitter.com/CU3oxD1sEK
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
5:15 — A dime by McSorley to Thompkins helped the Lions knock on the door, but the drive resulted in a chip shot. Penn State leads 26-13.
10:26 — A diving catch by receiver Chris Godwin moves the chains for the Lions on third down. The play is currently under review. The play stands, and the Lions set up deep in Kent State territory.
14:30 — Cornerback Amani Oruwariye jumps on Agner’s pass and takes it to the house for six. Penn State leads 23-13 early in the third quarter.
Second Quarter
0:27 — Penn State settles for a punt as time expires.
After one half, Penn State leads Kent State 16-13. McSorley goes 8/14 for 90 yards and a TD. pic.twitter.com/yc9W6AW9vK
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
1:47 — Kent State rattled off a nice drive but was pushed back by a combined sack from Garrett Sickels and Nyeem Wartman-White. Hynes’ 53-yard field goal try is no good.
6:12 — McSorley quickly shook things off before leading a solid drive into Kent State’s red zone, thanks to connections with Godwin and Saeed Blacknall. The Golden Flashes were called for targeting on a late hit of McSorley, signifying an ejection for linebacker James Alexander. Godwin was called for offensive pass interference on third and goal, bringing Tyler Davis out for a successful 29-yard field. 16-13 Penn State with 1:47 to go before the break.
Here’s a look at the targeting play. McSorley lucky to escape uninjured. pic.twitter.com/lXORHE0vuU
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
6:21 — Kent State forces a McSorley fumble on first down and Elcee Refuge scooped and scored to make it 13-13 nine seconds later.
7:57 — Joey Julius lays a huge hit on Price on the kickoff, prompting Penn State’s bench to erupt in celebration. The Nittany Lion defense delivered a big three-and-out to force the punt, which was fielded by sophomore corner John Reid.
9:13 — Penn State’s defense came up huge with its first turnover of the season, as Malik Golden forced a fumble and Marcus Allen picked it up for a few yards deep in Kent State territory. Barkley would dive for the right pylon and score his first touchdown of the year from seven yards out to make it 13-6 Penn State with 8:02 left in the second quarter.
11:33 — Sanders was deep for the second consecutive time, but was bottled up at the 21. McSorley rolled out and found Gesicki for a 14-yard gain on first down. Saquon Barkley looked like he would be stopped in the backfield, but a filthy spin move turned into a four-yard gain. Gillikin came back out to punt as the drive sputtered.
15:00 — True freshman Kavious Price flashed his open-field speed on a 28-yard gain, setting up first-and-goal for the Golden Flashes. A pair of untimely flags pushed Kent State all the way back to the 23-yard line and would eventually force it to kick a 43-yard field goal, which was good. 6-6 with 11:33 to play in the second quarter.
First Quarter
After one quarter of play, the Nittany Lions lead Kent State 6-3 thanks to a diving effort by DaeSean Hamilton. pic.twitter.com/tqzMChRF3z
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
1:56 — Joey Julius came out for the kickoff. Penn State’s defense picked up another costly penalty, as defensive tackle Robert Windsor was flagged for a late hit out-of-bounds. Redshirt freshman Mylik Mitchell rotated in for Agner at quarterback. Time expired in the first quarter with Kent State still in possession. 6-3 Nittany Lions.
5:25 — True freshman running back Miles Sanders made his Penn State debut on the ensuing kickoff. McSorley and Saquon Barkley came alive to lead the Nittany Lions into Kent State territory and score their first touchdown of the season — a four-yard pass to DaeSean Hamilton. The two-point conversion is no good, as McSorley’s run up the middle is sniffed out before he can reach the goal line. 6-3 Penn State with 1:56 to play in the first quarter.
9:56 — Safety Marcus Allen is called for a facemask penalty on Kent State’s first play of the drive. True freshman quarterback Justin Agner orchestrated a solid drive into Nittany Lion territory, even using his legs to move the chains inside the red zone. Brent Pry’s defense held strong on third-and-seven to bring Kent State’s special teams out for a 26-yard field goal. 3-0 Golden Flashes with 5:25 to play in the first quarter.
10:55 — A deep ball from Trace McSorley to Chris Godwin along the right sideline is called incomplete. Another long attempt to Mike Gesicki falls to the turf, bringing up another three-and-out.
12:54 — The Golden Flashes go three-and-out on their first offensive series as well. Penn State will start on its own 30-yard line.
15:00 — Kent State won the toss, electing to defer their choice to the second half. Safety Nick Scott was the lone return man for the Nittany Lions, bringing the opening kick back to the 25-yard line. Penn State went three-and-out, though, bringing true freshman punter Blake Gillikin out for a 49-yard bomb.
Pregame
1,076 yards and eight total touchdowns as a true freshman. Can Saquon Barkley top those numbers in year two? pic.twitter.com/P8Y90bEaaI
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
Trace McSorley is ready for his first start in Beaver Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Hdbo4EgvHI
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
Welcome back to Happy Valley, Christian Hackenberg! pic.twitter.com/DGJUGB3icH
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
The game hasn’t even started and Penn State has negative rushing yards. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/aSMwPTxWLp
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
Today’s game against Kent State marks the first time since 2011 the Nittany Lions have opened their season in Beaver Stadium.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 3, 2016
ICYMI: Here’s everything you need to know about Penn State’s week one opponent Kent State. https://t.co/jnQQOJ14Xu
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
The team is in the building. Two hours until the 2016 season kicks off. pic.twitter.com/jJ31rv3fHu
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
.@PennStateFball pours out of the blue busses in one of the most iconic traditions in college football. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/s1nXQVR5Uq
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 3, 2016
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