Penn State Football 2018 Season Rewind: Nittany Lions dominate Pitt
Dominating second half propelled Penn State football over Pitt
After barely escaping Appalachian State at home in Week 1, Penn State football dropped three spots to number 13 in the polls. The Nittany Lions had to regroup and get ready for an in-state battle with Pitt under the bright lights of Heinz Field.
When Penn State traveled to Pittsburgh in 2016, the Nittany Lions limped home with a loss. Revenge was on their minds as they headed into the 2018 version of the game.
It was a sloppy September night with rain for much of the game. Mixing in plenty of run game with the potent Penn State passing attack would be a key to victory.
True freshman KJ Hamler got things started on Penn State’s first drive with a 32-yard touchdown run. Pitt answered right back with a touchdown run of its own, but failed on the conversion try, giving the Nittany Lions a slim 7-6 lead.
Penn State played a sloppy second quarter, missing a field goal and suffering two fumbles. However, Hamler struck again just 30 seconds before the half. He scored on a 14-yard pass from Trace McSorley to put the Nittany Lions up by eight heading into the break.
That score gave the Nittany Lions the momentum they needed, as they came out and scored 37 unanswered points in the second half, including three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
The Penn State offense suddenly woke up after the break. McSorley ran for a score and tossed one to Mac Hippenhammer, while backup running back Mark Allen added a four-yard touchdown run.
Special teams got into the action when DeAndre Thompkins returned a punt 39-yard punt.
Penn State’s final touchdown of the game came when backup quarterback Sean Clifford completed his only pass attempt of the game — a 34-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Brandon Polk.
The Penn State defense was tough against the pass, allowing just 55 yards, but struggled against the run, something that remained a concern the rest of the season. Pitt was able to rush for 245 yards on the Nittany Lions.
On offense, new starting running back Miles Sanders ran for a then-career-high 118 yards. McSorley threw for just 145 yards, but had three total touchdowns. Hamler had arguably the best night for the Nittany Lions on offense, making four catches for 40 yards to go along with his 32-yard run. He finished the night with two total touchdowns.
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Getting past Pitt on the road was a big accomplishment for the Nittany Lions, and made the team feel a lot better after going through the struggles of Week 1.