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.
Tight end Tyler Warren turned in one of the best seasons we have ever seen by a Penn State tight end during the 2024 season. On his way to bringing home the first Mackey Award in Penn State history, Warren was busy rewriting the record books in every way he possibly could. For all of the fantastic moments Warren provided during the season, no game stood out above what he pulled off in a big road win at USC.
5-0 Penn State was faced with their real first dose of adversity in a road game against the Trojans. Penn State dug a 20-6 hole at halftime and was in need of some sparks in the second half. Warren delivered. Drew Allar completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Warren on Penn State’s first possession of the second half to bring Penn State within one score. The play started with Warren lining up and snapping the football at the center position, showing off how creative offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki could be with an asset like Warren to work with.
Warren had a key 34-yard reception on Penn State’s game-tying touchdown drive the next time the offense took the field. Warren had another big play with a 21-yard reception on Penn State’s game-tying field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Penn State and USC went to overtime tied at 30-30. After USC missed a field goal on the first possession of the overtime, Penn State methodically moved into field goal position, with Warren being a part of the possession with a short gain leading to the walk-off field goal.
Warren had a massive impact on the Penn State win, and it was one for the record books. Warren caught 17 passes for 224 yards to tie the FBS record for most catches in a single game by a tight end and the second-most receiving yards in Penn State history. More than the gaudy receiving numbers, Warren had a touchdown catch called back by a pass interference penalty in the first quarter, and Warren put on display just how versatile he could be in Kotelnicki’s offense.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
