Listen to Fox News Articles Now!
Penn State returned to State College, Pennsylvania, eager to recover from last week’s upset against the UCLA Bruins. However, the Northwestern Wildcats had different plans in mind for Saturday’s showdown.
Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe made a significant impact, sprinting for 72 yards and scoring a crucial touchdown in the fourth quarter, leading Northwestern to a thrilling 22-21 victory at Beaver Stadium. This narrow win marked Northwestern’s third consecutive triumph, while Penn State faced its third straight defeat.
Northwestern head coach David Braun expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating, "I truly believe that our football team expected to win today. The message was clear: we have a team that’s backed up against the wall, but also questioning their identity."
The Wildcats ended an 11-year winless streak at Beaver Stadium, showcasing their resilience.
With just under five minutes left after Komolafe’s touchdown, Penn State regained possession. However, a setback occurred when quarterback Drew Allar sustained a leg injury during a critical third-down play. Following the game, Penn State head coach James Franklin confirmed that Allar would miss the rest of the season due to an unspecified injury. Backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer stepped in but was stopped on a fourth-down run, allowing the Wildcats to run out the clock.
Allar completed 13 of 20 passes for 137 yards, adding 25 rushing yards and a touchdown. He returned for his senior season, hoping to move past last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal interception against Notre Dame.
Unfortunately for Penn State, the team struggled with discipline, committing six penalties for 71 yards in the first half. Coach Franklin took accountability for the team’s recent performance, saying, "I take full responsibility for all of it. I hired the staff, I recruited the players, and I believe in them. But right now, we’re not getting it done."
Next week, Penn State will face Iowa, and Grunkemeyer is expected to start at quarterback for the Nittany Lions.
Stay updated with the latest in sports by following Fox News Digital on X and subscribing to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
