By Dom Reed

UNIVERSITY PARK –    The Penn State Nittany Lions football team clashed with Villanova at Westshore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, Saturday.

It wasn’t even close.

In the end, the Nittany Lions would take the contest 52-6 in front of its die-hard fans.

Penn State would score on their first opportunity and on their first drive on a 12-play 78-yard drive on a Nick Singleton 4-yard rushing touchdown to put the Nits up 7-0 following the extra point from Ryan Barker. Penn State started off slow some may say didn’t live up to their hype early as they only led the Wildcats 7-0 after the first quarter and only led their opponent 21-0 at halftime. 

Nittany Lions transfer Trebor Pena had himself a game early. Things would heat up in the first quarter as Pena rushed for 11 yards on the first play of the game. Drew Allar would then move the ball through the air also finding Pena for 14 yards. Pena would total 60 yards on four receptions he was targeted seven times in the teams 52-6 win.

Kaytron Allen led the team in rushing on 10 carries for 86 yards. Allen also found the endzone on a 18-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 7 play 84-yard scoring drive.

Villaova struggled to get things going on offense against the power house defense of Penn State. The Nits held the Wildcats to 179 total yards on offense in the lopsided loss. The only score Penn State gave up was in the final seconds of the game on a pass from Tanner Maddocks to Brandon Binkowski. It would be an 8-yard score. It would take the Wildcats 16 plays and 75 yards to cap their scoring drive off to avoid the shutout.

Penn State brought the energy on defense. The Lions had there seven points come off a 49 pick six from Jahmir Joseph Penn State would lead 52-0 with 6:24 to go in regulation.

Drew Allar went 16-29 for 209 yards with his lone interception  in the third quarter  as Omari Bursey picked off Allar the Nittany Lions would only have three plays only going 12 yards.

Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds played a large role in the receiving game Reynolds led the team in receiving with 73 yards on four receptions.

The Nittany Lions will get the week off. Next week the Nits will welcome in Oregon from the west coast to begin conference play for the White Out game when Penn State resumes their season following the first of two bye weeks.