With Penn State’s football season now officially in the books, now is a good time to start putting the whole season into perspective. Although the season ended with the Nittany Lions coming up just short of playing for a national championship, there were a lot of good moments to reflect on positively from the 2024 season that ended with a final record of 13-3. The shortcomings are well documented, but the highlights of the year should not be forgotten.
Penn State faced some tricky road games during the 2024 season, and they passed each one for an unblemished road record during the regular season. Perhaps the most challenging portion of the schedule saw Penn State play back-to-back games on the road at USC and Wisconsin in the middle of the season just before hosting the game of the year against Ohio State. For Penn State to get through those two games without a loss was critical to Penn State’s hopes of making the College Football Playoff, as most anticipated a loss to Ohio State for one conference loss. But Penn State needed a strong second-half performance on the road in each to remain undefeated.
A week after an exhilarating road win at USC, Penn State had a slow start against an aggressive Wisconsin defense. The Badgers led the Nittany Lions 3-0 after the first quarter and took a 10-7 lead into halftime thanks to a late touchdown with a little over a minute to play in the first half. Quarterback Drew Allar went to the locker room a little early to have his left knee checked out and he did not return to the game despite coming out with a brace on after halftime. Allar remained on the sideline and the offense was put in the hands of Beau Pribula.
With the offense still having a tough time getting things moving consistently, the Penn State defense came to the rescue in the third quarter. Jaylen Reed had a 19-yard pick-six midway through the third quarter off of Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke, who was passing from his own end zone and third-and-14.
Wisconsin did respond with a field goal drive on the ensuing possession to bring things to aone-point game, where it stood going into the fourth quarter. That is when Penn State took firm control of the game for good.
Penn State went on a 13-play drive spanning 81 yards and using up 7:35 of game clock (starting in the third quarter) and extended its lead with a short pass from Pribula to Khalil Dinkins. The touchdown put Penn State up 21-13, and the defense forced a quick three-and-out on Wisconsin’s next possession, holding the Badgers to just three yards. Kaytron Allen put the game on ice with a 24-yard touchdown run on Penn State’s next possession, capping a 76-yard drive.
Wisconsin’s last chance to put point son the scoreboard had some promise as the Badgers put together a 15-play drive but a fourth down pass from the Penn State 15-yard line fell incomplete and Penn State ran off the remainder of the clock with a couple of runs by Allen to seal the win.
The win improved Penn State to 7-0 and the Nittany Lions picked up key road wins at West Virginia, USC, and Wisconsin along the way. The win set Penn State up for a great spot in the looming College Football Playoff picture, and helped keep them in the hunt for a spot in the Big Ten championship game down the line as they began preparing for a massive home game against Ohio State.
To come away with a road win at Wisconsin with a backup quarterback playing in the second half was a testament to how good this team really was. The defense put the clamps down and the running game helped lock up a win in a tricky environment to do so. This may not have been one of the best seasons for Wisconsin, but any time you can come away with a win in Madison is significant.
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell walks onto the field…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell walks onto the field during warmups prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) rushes with the…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers punter Atticus Bertrams (49) earns a first down…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers punter Atticus Bertrams (49) earns a first down during a fake punt as Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Dominic DeLuca (0) makes the tackle during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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Penn State v Wisconsin
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: (L-R) Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions…
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: (L-R) Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions and head coach Luke Fickell of the Wisconsin Badgers meet before the game at Camp Randall Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) rushes…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) rushes with the football as Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Christian Alliegro (28) defends during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) rushes…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) catches…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) catches a pass to score a touchdown as Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) defends during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) rushes…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) rushes with the football as Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Christian Alliegro (28) defends during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) rushes with…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) rushes with the football against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback A.J. Harris (4) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) rushes with the…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) rushes with the football in front of defensive tackle Coziah Izzard (99) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin greets players…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin greets players following a play during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers punter Atticus Bertrams runs for first down on…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers punter Atticus Bertrams runs for first down on a fake punt before being tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Dominic DeLuca (0) during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) is…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) is pursued by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) during the first quarterat Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jaheim Thomas (7) tackles Penn State Nittany…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jaheim Thomas (7) tackles Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) during the first quarte at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) catches a pass…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) catches a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions to set up a touchdown during the second quarte at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) is stopped short off…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) is stopped short off a first down by Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (3) during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Curt Neal (92) tackles Penn State…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Curt Neal (92) tackles Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) is tackle by…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) is tackle by Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) is tackled…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) is tackled why Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) rushes…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) rushes with the football in front of Wisconsin Badgers safety Austin Brown (9) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) throws a…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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Penn State v Wisconsin
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: James Franklin head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks…
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: James Franklin head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Penn State v Wisconsin
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions catches a…
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions catches a 6 yard touchdown pass over the reach of Hunter Wohler #24 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) rushes…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) rushes with the football before scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) celebrates after…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers line up for a play during the…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers line up for a play during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) throws a…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6)…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) is tackled…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) is tackled by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jaheim Thomas (7) and cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (3) during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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NCAA Football: Penn State at Wisconsin
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) celebrates after…
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) celebrates after earning a first down during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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