Lions dominate Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions holds his team back as they prepare to take the field against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Point Solutions Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

by: Staff

Posted: Nov 19, 2016 / 11:22 PM EST

Updated: Nov 19, 2016 / 11:34 PM EST

It wasn’t pretty football, but it was a dominant performance by Penn State. By the fourth quarter most Rutgers fans had left and a few Nittany Lion faithful braved the rain, hail and snow.

Penn State kept its playoff hopes alive with a 39-0 win over Rutgers.

The game began with a shaky start for Penn State after Miles Sanders fumbled the opening kickoff. Rutgers took over with great field position but went backwards. Like the bad weather, the Penn State defense was relentless. Rutgers missed a field goal. That was as close as the Scarlet Knights would get to scoring.

Trace McSorley and the Nittany Lions offense struggled to find any rhythm in the first half. Tyler Davis connected on three field goals and it was 9-0 at halftime.

The story of that first half was the Penn State defense which held Rutgers to just 66 yards. Rutgers did not even attempt a pass in the second quarter.

Rutgers went three plays and out to start the third quarter. Penn State’s Juwan Johnson then came after the punter, untouched, and blocked the kick. That set up a touchdown run from Saquan Barkley and Penn State led 16-0.

Rutgers failed to earn a first down in the third quarter, giving Penn State great field position. Davis added another field goal and late in the third quarter Andre Robinson found the end zone. Penn State led 25-0.

By that time the weather had worsened and much of the crowd left. According to reports on twitter Penn State fans actually moved into the Rutgers student section but were asked to leave

It was not ideal weather conditions and at times the game was a grind, but Penn State showed its toughness. One statistic that stood out was total yards: Penn State 549, Rutgers 87,

One more win and the can win the Big Ten East Division. If Penn State can defeat Michigan State next Saturday and Ohio State beats Michigan, the Nittany Lions will play for a Big Ten Championship.

After a blowout loss at Michigan, Coach James Franklin’s team was 2-2. No one could have imagined they would be in the Top 10, let alone a chance to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

(3:32 – 3rd) Andre Robinson run for 2 yds for a TD (Two-Point Conversion failed )