Penn State finds a leader in Drew Allar, boosts its playoff chances with a win over USC and more of what they say

LOS ANGELES – No. 4 Penn State could move up in the polls today after being eliminated USC 33-30 in an instant overtime classic at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. The Nittany Lions defeated the Trojans 518-409 and continued to perform well in the second half to set up Ryan Barker's 36-yard field goal.

Here's what's being said locally and nationally after the win over the Lions.

Penn State found a leader in Drew Allar

This is what Dennis Dodd from CBS Sports writes. Drew Allar was 30 of 43 (70 percent) for 391 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, the last being a Hail Mary at the end of regulation. It was by far his best win as a Nittany Lion and showed what he can do in Andy Kotelnicki's offense.

“But at the end of a wild shootout that kept Penn State among the nation's elite, Allar became a leader, a talent and a difference all in one 33:30 overtime win against the Trojans“, writes Dodd.

“It was time for Penn State to have bigger hopes than being the third-best program in the Big Ten behind Michigan and Ohio State. We'll learn more about this later; Michigan is not on the schedule, but Ohio State visits Happy Valley on November 2nd.

“As the Buckeyes embark on this journey, they will have to contend with a gunslinger in blue and white. Allar earned this label on Saturday, among other things. Sales are damned.”

Read the full story here.

Penn State flips the script and wins over USC

That's the opinion of USA Today columnist Jordan Mendoza, who also writes that the Lions appeared to have increased their chances of making the College Football Playoff by defeating the Trojans.

“Not only was the win over USC helpful in ending the narrative of failure when the lights are bright, it was also the first major step toward Penn State securing one of the 12 spots in the newly expanded playoffs,” writes Mendoza. “Had the current system been in place when the playoffs were introduced in 2014, the Nittany Lions likely would have been in six playoffs, and Happy Valley wishes it had those expanded opportunities. Now it's time to take away.

“Of course there is the highly anticipated home game against Ohio State in three weeks. While Nittany Lions fans would like to end their seven-game loss to the Buckeyes, a loss is no longer the end of the world. And that includes whether that means being eliminated from the Big Ten title game again.”

Read the full story here.

The Lions defense rose to the occasion when it mattered most

PennLive's Bob Flounders writes. Penn State was great on defense after halftime. On the way to a clear victory, USC was lost at almost every turn in the third and fourth quarters.

“Penn State’s national defense ranking took a hit on Saturday. The Lions will not be No. 4 in total defense entering their bye week, and they will not be No. 4 in the FBS in fewest rushing yards allowed (76.2),” Flounders writes.

“But PSU is 6-0 and firmly in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff based on the performance of the Lions defense on USC's final two possessions.”

Read the full story here.

Last word

This week's award goes to BWI's Nate Bauer, who writes that the Lions trusted Drew Allar to lead them to victory late in the game and vice versa.

“If it wasn’t clear, it should be clear now,” Bauer writes. “Penn State wants Drew Allar having the ball in hand while the game is on the line. Penn State head coach James Franklin I didn't have to say that publicly after the game. In fact, he also did this in his actions in the fourth quarter.

“Needing a touchdown to beat the Trojans with less than five minutes to play, Franklin faced a crucial decision. His Nittany Lion defense had just allowed a nine-play touchdown drive of all 75 yards. Meanwhile, his offense against The Nittany Lion had just scored two touchdowns and a field goal on three of its four second-half possessions.”

Read the full text story here.