No. 2 Penn State dominates Nevada in season opener, 46-11
Nick Singleton ran for two touchdowns and the Penn State defense forced three turnovers as the Nittany Lions opened the season with a convincing 46-11 victory over Nevada in State College.
Key moments and stats
– Singleton capped Penn State’s opening drive with a 1-yard TD run and added another short-score plunge early in the third quarter.
– Kayton Allen closed a late- second-quarter drive with a 13-yard scoring run.
– Penn State’s defense set the tone early. AJ Harris recovered a fumble on Nevada’s opening possession, and Zane Durant intercepted Chubba Purdy in Nevada territory.
– Dani Dennis-Sutton was a disruptive force on the edge, forcing both of Nevada’s early fumbles, adding a sack and breaking up a pass.
– Durant, who led the team in interceptions, picked off Purdy on a screen and helped the defense topple Nevada’s momentum.
– Offensively, Drew Allar completed 22 of 26 passes for 217 yards before giving way to backup Ethan Grunkemeyer in the third quarter.
– Kayton Allen’s 13-yard TD run and Kyron Hudson’s 31-yard TD reception from Allar helped push the lead to 27-3 by halftime.
– Hudson finished with six catches for 89 yards; Trebor Peña had seven receptions for 74 yards.
– Special teams contributed as well, with Ryan Barker kicking four field goals for the Lions.
– The Lions outgained the Wolf Pack 436-203 and held Nevada to 78 rushing yards; the Wolf Pack’s offense briefly found life on a late drive but still couldn’t sustain momentum.
What the performances mean
– Penn State’s offense looked efficient in its first game, especially in the red zone, while the defense created and capitalized on Nevada’s miscues.
– The early spotlight on Durants’ and Dennis-Sutton’s play sets a strong tone for a defense expected to anchor the team this season.
– Allar’s command and accuracy behind a solid opening game provide optimism for the quarterback room, even as the coaching staff rotated in Grunkemeyer in the second half.
Up next
– Nevada travels to Sacramento State.
– Penn State hosts Florida International.
Additional notes
– The win serves as a confidence booster for a Penn State squad that, while it faced a Nevada program rebuilding over recent years, demonstrated discipline with no costly penalties, minimal turnovers, and a dependable ground game paired with an efficient aerial attack.
– With talks around national rankings and a Big Ten slate ahead, this performance sets a positive tone for Penn State’s early-season schedule.
Summary
A strong start for Penn State, showcasing a stingy defense that created turnovers and an efficient offense led by Allar, with Singleton delivering two rushing scores and the special teams providing steady points through field goals. The Nittany Lions appear poised to build on this foundation as they head into a favorable stretch of early-season games. Positive momentum is evident, offering hope for continued growth and a championship-contending push this season.