USC vs. Penn State Highlights Record Attendance Amid Disappointing Seasons
In the midst of a packed week six in college football, featuring notable games like Oklahoma-Texas and Georgia-Alabama, an unexpected contender for attendance crowned the USC-Penn State matchup. Although both schools have struggled this season, the game garnered significant enthusiasm, especially with Penn State branding it as their “White Out” event, leading to an impressive ticket sale.
Penn State set a new record for Beaver Stadium, with an astonishing 114,419 fans present for the 7:30 p.m. EDT kickoff. The Nittany Lions were eager to bounce back from a tough 34-13 loss to Northwestern, where they surrendered a staggering 506 total yards, including 413 rushing yards. Meanwhile, USC came off an unconvincing 25-21 win over Washington, following a heavy 41-27 defeat against Oregon.
This game marked yet another critical “must-win” for Lincoln Riley, whose job security seemed to be hanging by a thread. A loss would have effectively dashed any hopes for the College Football Playoff, especially with tough upcoming matches against Ohio State and Indiana. USC has notably struggled on the road, particularly in the Eastern Time Zone, holding a less-than-stellar 4-7 record away since joining the Big Ten.
For Penn State, despite their recent woes, the night offered a shot at redemption. They aimed to reaffirm that Beaver Stadium remains a challenging venue and that the Nittany Lions could show growth in the first year of the Matt Campbell era by securing wins against ranked opponents.
However, it was USC that made the statement this time and perhaps eased the pressure on Riley’s coaching position. Jayden Maiava had an outstanding performance, completing 21 of 33 passes for three touchdowns, while managing the offense effectively even when the ground game faltered. In the second half, as Penn State’s defense began to falter, running backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan clinched the game with a strong final drive. Moreover, Trent Mosley, returning from injury, proved to be a vital player, catching nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Conversely, Penn State’s performance fell short. Their running game was virtually non-existent, netting only 68 yards on 31 attempts. Despite some promising drives in the second half, they repeatedly settled for field goals, failing to convert opportunities into touchdowns.
After USC took an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter, Penn State faced a crucial drive starting at the USC 39-yard line. Unfortunately, it was marred by an incomplete pass, another failed attempt, and a sack, leading to a punt. Shortly after regaining possession, the Nittany Lions fumbled, handing the ball back to USC.
As the clock wound down, USC managed to secure the win. A particularly bizarre moment came when Penn State’s defense was penalized for delay of game for attempting to disguise signals to trick USC into a false start, giving the Trojans an automatic first down that sealed the game. It was a rare moment of Riley out-coaching an opponent, which is noteworthy, considering the narrative surrounding his tenure.
The stakes were high for both teams. Penn State is clearly in a phase of rebuilding after recent player losses following James Franklin’s exit. They face a challenging schedule ahead, including games against Wisconsin and Ohio State, before wrapping up the season against a strong UCLA team at the Rose Bowl.
Ending the season with a 10-2 record could still keep playoff hopes alive for USC, but a loss against Penn State would have positioned them towards a potentially disappointing 7-5 or 8-4 result. That remains a possibility, but defeating such a massive crowd provided a crucial first step. Can they maintain momentum against what might be even tougher challenges? It’s possible, but perhaps not likely.
Looking ahead, it seems Penn State fans might be second-guessing the program’s reset under Campbell. The end of Franklin’s reign was disheartening, yet the team was close to contending for a National Championship just a season ago. Instead, they now find themselves reeling with three consecutive losses and issues on defense, having allowed a staggering total of 936 yards in two games.
While the upcoming schedule offers some respite for Penn State, it hardly reflects the progress supporters anticipated during year one of the Campbell era. Comparatively, losing to powerhouse teams is one thing, but dropping three games before mid-October is quite another. Although Franklin may not have delivered a title, the current trajectory doesn’t suggest significant advancement towards that goal.
USC will rest before heading to Wisconsin, whereas Penn State must regroup rapidly for a road contest against Michigan. Both games could provide essential insights into each program’s future direction.
