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Penn State finishes unbeaten at home with convincing win over Nebraska

By Barry Leonard Jr.

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 18: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a leaping touchdown reception above the hands of Chris Weber #49 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 18: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a leaping touchdown reception above the hands of Chris Weber #49 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Penn State finished unbeaten this year at Beaver Stadium. 

It took 15 years, but Penn State finally got a win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Things started slow on a rainy Senior Day, but the Nittany Lions quickly found their groove and ended the home part of their schedule in impressive fashion. They looked strong in all aspects of the game and defeated the Cornhuskers 56-44. 

Star running back Saquon Barkley got the game started with a bang — rumbling 65 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the game.

After a defensive stop, Penn State was poised to get the ball back with a chance for more points. However, a muffed punt set up the Cornhuskers with great field position. Fortunately, Penn State was able to hold Nebraska to a field goal. A poor punt by Penn State’s Balke Gillikin once again gave the Cornhuskers good field position. A rushing touchdown by Ozigbo Devine put Nebraska up 10-7.

Penn State used a 28-point second quarter to put the game out of reach. Three touchdowns by quarterback Trace McSorley and one by Barkley put the Nittany Lions up 42-10 at the half.

Nebraska woke up in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Nittany Lions had their backups in . The Cornhuskers never quit and made the score closer than the game really was, outscoring the Nittany Lions 34-14 in the second half.

McSorley had a monster game for Penn State, throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 46 yards and a score. Barkley, who struggled over the past few weeks, put his name back in the Heisman Trophy race with Saturday’s performance. The junior running back ran for 158 yards with three touchdowns and added 66 receiving yards.

Senior tight end Mike Gesicki scored two touchdowns in his final game at Beaver Stadium. Wide receiver Juwan Johnson had a big game with five receptions for 105 yards.

Receiver DeAndre Thompkins and backup tight end Nick Bowers also each caught a touchdown pass.

In total, Penn State put up 609 yards of total offense.

Despite allowing Nebraska to finish with 466 total yards, the Penn State defense played solid for much of the game. Senior linebacker Brandon Smith led the team with 13 total tackles. Fellow senior linebacker Jason Cabinda continued his strong play

by racking up seven total tackles.

The win moved Penn State’s record to 9-2 overall heading into next week’s regular season finale on the road against the Maryland Terrapins. The kickoff time for that game has yet to be determined.

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