Photos by Jeff Shomo
By Dom Reed

UNIVERSITY PARK –  Penn State (1-0 )welcomed in non-conference Florida International (1-0 ) with both teams coming off a a strong start.

It was Thon day at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium where fans and players witnessed far from ideal conditions with 10,3817 in attendance.

The Nittany Lions won the toss and elected to defer their choice to the second half.

The Panthers let the home crowd control their fate early with a five-yard delay of game penalty backing them up to their own 20.

FIU would start their first drive with a punt with a drive that assumed of -3 yards the Panthers opening drive would last 58 seconds.

Penn State would also come up empty on their first series the Nittany Lions ran six plays for just 19 yards their drive would  ultimately end in a punt.

The Nittany Lions would be the first team to crack the scoreboard but it wouldn’t come until their second drive on a 10-play 87-yard 3:54 minute drive resulting in a 9-yard receiving touchdown by Khail Dinkins.

It would be his first touchdown of the season. Penn State would lead 7-0 with 7:48 remaining in the opening quarter.

Penn State allowed 151 total yards in the first half.  However, the Nittany Lions on the positive note  held the Panthers to 46 rush yards in the first half. The Blue and White totaled 93 yards. Nicolas Singleton rushed for 51 yards on eight attempts while Kaytron Allen totaled 47 yards on ten attempts.

FIU had just one turnover in the first half and it came on a Keyone Jenkins interception from the big guy. Alonso Ford would return it for three yards.

Penn State would lead 10-0 at half time the Nittany Lions would try to run a two minute offense it would be successful but Ryan Barker would be set up to kick a 53 yard field goal but it would be denied as Jessiah McGrew would get a hand on it.

Penn State opened the second half with the ball as the Nittany Lions offense would start to come to life. They would convert both drives into points on a 12-play 60-yard play drive that would end on a  34-yard field goal off the foot of Barker. It wouldn’t be long after when the Nittany Lions would score six on a dart thrown by Allar to Devonte Ross for a 42-yard score. The Nittany Lions would attempt on  a two-point  try Allar would find Drew Shelton but Nick Dawkins would be found guilty of a holding penalty Barker would be sent out for a one point try that would give Penn State a 20-0 lead with 4:44 to go in the third quarter.

Penn State was non-existent to start the fourth quarter. The Nits would have a big defensive stand on a fourth down stop. The Nittany Lions would sit at -5 yards but that would change. Allen scored on a 67-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Lions lead 27-0 with 3:29 to go in the game.

FIU would be driving but it wouldn’t be until the Lions defense would wreak havoc. Chaz Coleman would get the strip sack sack. Cole would pick the ball up and would eventually be tackled down at the five. Penn State would cap off it off with a one play five yard score from Singleton Penn State would lead 34-0 1:19 to go in the game.

Penn State would start off slow but it would be all gas no breaks in the second half to prevail them to a 34-0 win over the Panthers.