Drew Allar, Penn State Hailed by Fans as Legit Contender After Comeback Win vs. USC

Jack MurrayOctober 12, 2024

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Penn State has escaped a major upset bid.

A late touchdown forced overtime and a key defensive stop set the table for a game-winning field goal from Ryan Barker to secure the victory and improve to 6-0 on the season.

FOX College Football @CFBONFOXPENN STATE SURVIVES IN OVERTIME 🫨@PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/UouAzsFIGx

Penn State Football @PennStateFballGOT. IT. DONE. pic.twitter.com/GeE6geqVX0

The Nittany Lions were down 20-6 at halftime but the offense exploded for 24 second-half points to force overtime. USC managed just 10 points in the second half and were unable to convert on a field goal that would have given the team a lead late in the final quarter.

Trojans quarterback Miller Moss went 20-of-34 for 220 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Running back Woody Marks led the ground game with 111 yards on 20 carries.

Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar went 30-of-43 for 391 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Tight end Tyler Warren had 17 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown, nearly reaching his previous totals from the season.

CBS Sports @CBSSportsDOUBLE PASS AND WHAT A CATCH! pic.twitter.com/DSOQOIa14t

Fans took to social media to praise the Nittany Lions for the gritty win and project their College Football Playoff chances.

Dave Tuley @ViewFromVegasNo. 4 Penn State rallied and escaped with a 33-30 OT win at Southern Cal, but the ViewFromVegas is Nittany Lions did NOT cover after closing as 3.5-point road favorites; earlier, No. 7 Alabama held off South Carolina 27-25, but also didn’t cover as 21.5-point home chalk @VSiNLive

Asif Iqbal 🇵🇸 @Asif1qbalGreat win by @PennStateFball against @uscfb! I know one very happy man in Charlotte today. @coachjfranklin did everything possible to lose this game for #PennState with all his constant complaining about travel. #BarelySurvived #HappyInCharlotte pic.twitter.com/juIKCxZuxl

Dan Cishek @dancishekWE ARE!!! #PennState

Full-Time Dame 💰 @DP_NFLGreat tough win by Penn State. Remains undefeated with one more game (Wisconsin) before the big showdown with Ohio State! Drew Allar has a chance to turn up this QB class if he can perform at a high level.

Dave Koser @DaveKoserPenn State shutting up the USC band was it

From Lumpill Tockelltee @onnpurposeImpressive win @PennState

Austin Bechtold @AustinRBechtoldI don’t know if Penn State wins this game last year. Or the year before that. Or the year before that.

This is the best win since the 2023 Rose Bowl. Probably before that. Going back to the 2016 and 2017 teams.

BudafrmtheBX @BudafromtheBXPenn State actually won a big game under James Franklin today. Shut the front door!

Stetson Sports @StettySportsPenn State with the overtime victory and a big blown lead from Lincoln Riley and USC.

Bryan Fischer @BryanDFischerPitt, Penn State and BYU are all 6-0. Miami, Georgia and Clemson are still in national title contention. The 80’s are BACK.

jamiestayready99 @jjamiemosley961This is a huge win for Penn State.
They defeated USC , USC has fallen from the days of old .https://t.co/mi7XbdPXnj

Penn State should retain a high ranking and now have a quality win over an opponent that has solid victories over Wisconsin and LSU.

Penn State will take on the Badgers next week in a tune-up for a high-profile matchup against Ohio State the following week.