College Sports

Penn State beats Rutgers for 14th straight time, 23-7

Posted December 05, 2020 6:00 am

By TOM CANAVAN

Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington (3) celebrates scoring a touchdown with quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) The Associated Press

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Sean Clifford threw a 29-yard touchdown and Penn State's defense set up three scores with stops or takeaways on Saturday as the Nittany Lions played their best game of the season with a 23-7 victory over Rutgers.

Penn State (2-5, 2-5 Big Ten) dominated both sides of the ball, outgained Rutgers 381-204 and held the Scarlet Knights to a season-low for points, more than three touchdowns below their average. The win was the second straight for the Nittany Lions and their 14th in a row over the Scar'let Knights (2-5, 2-5).

Clifford opened the scoring with a 29-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Parker Washington with 3:32 left in the first quarter. It came after the Nittany Lions stuffed Johnny Langan on a fourth-and-1 from the Rutgers 45 on the Scarlet Knights' opening possession.

After a 30-yard field goal by Jake Pinegar extended the lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter, Penn State stopped Rutgers on another fourth-and-1 from its 45, this time on an incomplete pass by Langan. Devyn Ford capped the short drive with a 7-yard touchdown run for a 17-0 lead.

Jordan Stout added a 47-yard field goal early in the third quarter after Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral fumbled on the second play of the half.

Vedral threw a 3-yard, fourth-down touchdown pass to Bo Melton with 4:56 left in the third quarter. An interception by safety Christian Izien at the Nittany Lions 36 set up the score.

Pinegar added a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

TAKE AWAY:

Penn State: The Nittany Lions finally looked like the team that was ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll. The ineptitude of the opening five games seemingly has been laid to rest.

Rutgers: By far the Scarlet Knights worst performance of the season. The gap with Penn State is as big as ever.

UP NEXT

Penn State: Plays host to Michigan State

Rutgers: At Maryland

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) The Associated Press

Penn State running back Devyn Ford is congratulated by offensive lineman Mike Miranda, right, after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) The Associated Press

Rutgers wide receiver Bo Melton is tackled by Penn State safety Lamont Wade (38) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) The Associated Press

Penn State running back Devyn Ford (28) scores a touchdown past Rutgers defensive back Avery Young (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) The Associated Press

Penn State cornerback Keaton Ellis (2) breaks up a pass intended for Rutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) The Associated Press

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