It looked bleak at halftime, but Penn State managed to pick up a huge 33-30 overtime victory against the USC Trojans in Week 7. The game was full of big plays, turnovers, clutch fourth-down conversions, you name it. In a game that had everything, there were even some things you may not see anywhere else in college football this season.
USC kicked off the highlights with a 75-yard touchdown on a reverse by running back Quinten Joyner, the longest play allowed by Penn State all season. USC added to their lead by driving down the field for another touchdown to go up 14-3. The teams traded field goals before USC added another last-second field goal to go up 20-6 at the half.
Penn State rode Tyler Warren offensively all game, but he really took over in the third quarter. This trick play touchdown where he snapped the ball was the most spectacular, but he racked up 17 receptions for 224 yards overall on the day. Penn State would add another touchdown to their total on their next drive to tie the game at 20, and the teams once again traded field goals on their next scoring drives.
USC would drive the length of the field again to go up 30-23, only for Drew Allar to convert two fourth downs on the way to a tying touchdown of their own. After failed drives by each team, it went to overtime where USC missed their field goal attempt. After picking up a few yards for kicker Ryan Barker, he banged it home for the win. Let’s take a look at how social media reacted to the thriller in Los Angeles.
Safe to say Ryan Barker wasn’t too nervous for his game-winning kick
Ryan Barker to CBS in postgame on what he thought before the kick: "How I'm gonna celebrate when I make it." https://t.co/lTMQNmzDNw
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) October 12, 2024
Someone clearly spoke to soon
1. death
2. Taxes
3. Penn state getting ranked high after playing juco teams for a month then losing the second they play a decent team in October— John (@iam_johnw) October 12, 2024
Have a day, Tyler!
Penn State TE Tyler Warren’s final line against USC:
17 catches (tied for the most ever by an FBS TE)
224 yards
This insane TD 👇pic.twitter.com/oA0gBOVW6E— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 12, 2024
Coach Franklin didn’t seem too happy…
Penn State players just planted a flag at midfield. James Franklin told them absolutely not. Too late. pic.twitter.com/gFi8ccKOI2
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 12, 2024
Kansas fans wishing Andy Kotelnicki was still around…
Seeing Andy Kotelnicki help lead Penn State to a 6-0 start to the season while averaging 34 points per game is stinging more and more…
I know Goff and KU did all they could to try to keep him, but damn it hurts to see.
— Dillon Davis (@dillondavis3) October 13, 2024
Plenty of love for Ryan Barker
Ryan Barker I love you pic.twitter.com/U7Oe5iK02I
— The Penn State Troll 🦁🧌 (@ThePSUTroll) October 13, 2024