PSU rallies past Rutgers
(5-2 Big Ten) and snapped a two-game losing streak.
After passing for just 13
yards and rushing for minus-1 in the opening quarter, McSorley threw for 93 and picked up 31 on the ground in the second. In the process, he ran for one touchdown and threw for another.
“Trace is a leader for us,” tight end Mike Gesicki said. “The guy who makes our offense go.”
He clearly was Saturday, passing for two touchdowns and running for another. He has been responsible for 68 career touchdowns, breaking Daryll Clark’s school record of 65.
In addition to completing 16 of 21 passes for 214 yards, McSorley gained 44 rushing yardson 13 carries.
“We’re always at our best on offense when Trace factors into our running game and keeps people honest and keeps people on their toes,”
Franklin said.
Having Saquon Barkley, once the Heisman Trophy front-runner, be a major factor in the running game would be a plus, too, but he had another largely forgettable day, despite rushing for two touch downs.
The obvious focal point of Rutgers defensive game plan, and operating behind an offensive line that has struggled in run-blocking for much of the season, Barkley netted a season-low 35 yards on14 carries.
Concentrating on Barkley is nothing new, however, and Penn State has adapted its offense to exploit the passing opportunities.
“With how teams are playing us the last couple games — selling out to stop Saquon and stop the run — and leaving us in one-on-one matchups, playing man-to-man or giving us easy access to throws, we know we have to take those,” McSorley said.
“There’s no sense in jamming a square peg into a round hole. If teams are going to give us the pass, that’s something we have to be willing to take.”
Gesicki was one of the beneficiaries, pulling in four passes for 45 yards. One was a 16-yard touchdown from McSorley in the fourth quarter that gave Penn State its final margin of victory. The touchdown reception was Gesicki’s fifth of the season and 11th of his career, tying Jesse James’ school marks in both categories for a tight end.
Nittany Lions kicker Tyler Davis made a little history, too. All five of his extra-point attempts were good, giving him 122 in a row. The third of his five broke Brett Conway’s schoolrecord of 119.
Of course, Davis got that many chances to kick for extra points Saturday only because McSorley ratcheted up his game when Penn State was desperate for a lift.
“We were able to make a couple of plays down the field,” McSorley said. “And I was able to make a couple of plays in the run game, kind of get the juices going again.”
Flowing at a pretty fast pace, no doubt.