LIVE BLOGGING WITH EDDIE RIVERA | Nittany Lions Devour the Utes 35-21

With a combination of steady play calling, and some spectacular plays, including an 87-yard touchdown run, the NIttany Lions scored early and never let up as they steamrolled the Utah Utes, 35-21, in the 2023 Rose Bowl before a crowd of 94,873.

It was the second loss in two Rose Bowl appearances for the Utes, who lost quarterback Cameron Rising to an injury in the third quarter, backup quarterback Bryson Barnes, who managed a late touchdown pass, was simply overwhelmed by the Penn State defense, being sacked numerous times.

With the score tied 14-14 at half time, Penn State opened the third quarter with an 88 yard touchdown pass from Clifford to Keandre Lambert-Smith.

This was followed by an 87-yard scamper by Nicholas Singleton. Finally in the time it would take to make a really good sandwich, Penn State ran a five-play, 47-yard drive, ending in a touchdown run by Jackson.

Here’s how we blogged it:

First Quarter

Utah Utes fans appear to outnumber Penn State fans 3 to 1.

Nicholas Singleton is stopped at the 23 yard line. Clifford is sacked for the second time. Penn State punts it away to the 37 yd line of Utah.

Utah finds itself at this and 8. Here comes fourth down. Penn State’s Tinsley goes nowhere with the 52 yard punt that knocks him backwards on the nine yard line.

TV time out.

Singleton (no relation) gains five yards. Punt time with fourth and one. Barney Amor punts 45 yards with no return. None.

A long TV time out. It’s the Rose Bowl

The Utes begin their drive on their 20. Rising has the Utes on a drive north into Pennsylvania. At the Penn State 43, the drive ends with an interception by Calen King on the 16 yard line.

The Utes begin their drive on their 20. Rising has the Utes on a drive north into Pennsylvania. At the Penn State 43, the drive ends with an interception by Calen King on the 16 yard line.

Penn State gains 15, and Rising falls short with a long pass to Tinsley. 16 yard run by Kaytron (no relation) Allen.

Clifford fires a strike to Theo Johnson for a first on the Utah 13. Allen loses a yard on first and five from the 9 yard line.

Singleton scores from the 5 yard line.

Penn State 6, Utah 0. PAT is good.

Penn State 7, Utah 0.

Second Quarter

Rising is leading a strong drive with three successive first downs. First and five on the 42. Jaquinden Jackson gains 4. Second and one. Jackson gains yet another first down. Rising gains six.

Mackay Bernard gains 15. Another first down. Bernard gains two. Rising gains two. Rising throws a one yard TD to Thomass Yassmin.

Penn State 7, Utah 6.

Cifford leads a masterful six-play 70 yard drive, throwing a 10 yard touchdown pass to Mitchell Tinsley. PAT is good.

Penn State 14, Utah 7.

Rising completes 47 yard pass to Devaughan Valé.

Jaquinden Jackson scores on 19 yard touchdown run.

Penn State 14, Utah 14.

Singleton returns the kickoff 18 yards. 16 yard pass to Tinsley. Clifford is dropped for six. It’s third and 16.  Following a promising series, Utah returns after a timeout for one last down, and Rising is sacked.

Penn State 14, Utah 14.

Third Quarter

Penn State opens the third quarter with an 88 yard touchdown pass from Clifford to Keandre Lambert-Smith.

Uth is at third and 13, and Barnes is dropped in the back field. Three yard loss. They’ll punt.

Penn State takes over at just about mid-field. In the time it took for a bathroom run , Penn State ran a five-play, 47-yard drive, ending in a touchdown run by Jackson. The wheels are coming off Utah’s red wagon. And rain has begun at the Rose Bowl.

Penn State 35, Utah 14.

END OF THIRD QUARTER

And rain has begun at the Rose Bowl.

Reporters are packing up to go. That’s a new one.

Fourth Quarter

With six minutes to go, Utah is at its own one-yard line. Jackson gains two.
Jackson gains three. First down Utah as they struggle south for yardage. Second and 10.

After a 15-yard pass interference penalty, Utah is at the 30. It’s third and two.

Fourth and two. Bernard is dragged down for a loss, and Penn State will take over the game on downs.

Drew Tank Smith gets into the game, and gets his name in the paper. The Nittany Lions are putting in the seniors and reserves. Penn State QB Sean Clifford is weeping joyously on the sidelines.

Utah takes over on downs with 2:12 left.

Utah has a first down deep in Pennsylvania, and is sacked for five yards. He gains five yards on a run.

A pass to Dixon puts them on the 5-yard line with 43 seconds left. Two passes fall incomplete. Third and five. Barnes throws a five-yard pass to Dixon.

Thirty seconds left. Utah’s Dixon is also weeping on the sidelines.
Drew Allard takes a knee.

Penn State 35, Utah 21. FINAL