Penn State fans are infuriated by the Nittany Lion’s first-half special teams disaster

Penn State simply needs to win out and finish 11-1 to ensure a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Yet, in the first half of Week 13 at Minnesota, the Nittany Lions were doing everything possible to put a CFP berth in doubt. Minnesota was outmatched on offense and defense, but the 6-4 Golden Gophers took a 19-16 lead into the halftime break because of Penn State’s continued special teams disaster. 

After a slow start, the Nittany Lions tied the game at 10-10 and took over near their own end zone just before the half. Drew Allar and the offense went three-and-out, and Riley Thompson’s punt was blocked, allowing Minnesota to take over at the Penn State 21. All the Gophers needed was one play to score a touchdown on a double-reverse flea-flicker. 

Allar got another shot to answer, and marched Penn State down the field 75 yards in six plays, but couldn’t tie the game after Ryan Barker’s point-after attempt was blocked and taken the other way for two points. 

Penn State fans and media were understandably disgusted with the Nittany Lion’s play in the third phase of the game. 

This offseason, Penn State didn’t just hire new offensive and defensive coordinators, James Franklin also hired Justin Lustig to be his special team’s coordinator. It’s safe to say after Penn State had to change its kicker early in the year and now with two special teams disasters this week, that Lustig may not be long for the job. 

Though others would just rather blame Franklin, which shouldn’t be surprising in his 11th year. 

Penn State still has a half of football to make claim its 10th win of the season, but it will need to clean up its special teams play to keep its CFP hopes alive.