It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the Penn State Nittany Lions got back in the win column nonetheless in Week 9. When they needed to, Penn State leaned on their emerging leader at quarterback and a reliable threat at receiver to do so.
Drew Allar, KeAndre Lambert-Smith Jolt Life into Penn State
A sloppy day in Happy Valley finished on a positive note for the Nittany Lions after Drew Allar found KeAndre Lambert-Smith on the sidelines, and the speedster did the rest.
Tied with just under two minutes left, Allar tossed Lambert-Smith a go ball down the sidelines with beautiful power and touch, dropping it into the proverbial bucket for the reception. Lambert-Smith slow-played the football and flashed late hands before separating from his defender at the exact right moment to make the catch.
With nifty footwork, Lambert-Smith did the rest on the 57-yard touchdown reception.
ALLAR. LAMBERT-SMITH.
Penn State coming up clutch. pic.twitter.com/rua231RKNz
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 28, 2023
Allar finished the day with 210 yards and three touchdowns, his previous two scores going to his tight ends. Lambert-Smith hauled in six receptions for 96 yards and the score.
Indiana Flashes Passing Ability Against Penn State
The Indiana Hoosiers kept things interesting against Penn State despite a clearly overmatched roster.
Indiana QB Brendan Sorsby threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, bringing the Hooiers back from 10 points behind in the fourth quarter. DeQuece Carter was his preferred target as Carter caught three passes for 104 yards, including a dynamic 90-yard touchdown early on.
In the end, however, it was Penn State’s defense that held up their end of the bargain and limited the Hoosiers just enough. They forced a safety after their offense gave them a seven-point lead with just over a minute and a half remaining, and that was all she wrote.
Also of note, Allar threw his first interception of the season, stopping the record he set to start the season.
Penn State, 7-1, is on the road against Maryland in Week 10 before hosting Michigan in Week 11 in what could essentially be a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal.