No. 4 Penn State walks it off in overtime, USC falls to 3-3

LOS ANGELES — Penn State fought and USC crumbled. 

The renewal of the 2017 Rose Bowl delivered another classic showdown of USC vs. No. 4 Penn State. However, the Nittany Lions ultimately prevailed, defeating the Trojans 33-30 in overtime Saturday before an announced crowd of 75,250 at Los Angeles Coliseum.

"We've got to be able to finish," coach Lincoln Riley said. "And it falls on my shoulders at the end."

It's another week for the Trojans, and their inability to close out opponents continues to resurface. USC was in the driver's seat, leading 20-6 at halftime, playing the best half of football all season. 

The Trojans delivered the first punch versus Penn State. The combination of Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner gashed the Nittany Lions defense. Joyner got the game's first touchdown running for a 75-yard score. 

Marks and Joyner made up for half of the team’s total yards, rushing for 147 yards in the first half. Joyner scored the first two touchdowns for USC in the first quarter.

While USC’s offense delivered the points, the Trojans defense limited the Nittany Lions. USC’s defensive front contained the Nittany Lions' one-two punch of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen to 71 rush yards in the first half. 

Penn State finished the first half with two field goals and 124 passing yards. 

Out of halftime, the Nittany Lions came out with a vengeance. In the first drive, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar led them down the field to get their first touchdown. On a trick play, Allar connected with tight end Tyler Warren for a 32-yard score. 

Warren was a one-man wrecking show Saturday. Lining up at multiple positions, Warren finished the night with career highs in yards (224) and receptions (17).

"He is a great player, and he made some great plays," safety Kamari Ramsey said. "Tip your hat off to him."

Penn State did it again on their next drive. Allen rushed for a one-yard touchdown with 4:53 in the third quarter to tie the game at 20-20. 

The Trojans did not make Allar’s day easy by picking him off three times on Saturday. With 33 seconds to go in the third, The Trojans took a three-point lead off an Easton Mascarneas-Arnold interception at the Penn State 24-yard line.

Penn State’s defense started to turn the pressure up, holding the Trojans to three points and two punts in the third quarter. The Nittany Lions' front halted the Trojans' run game, rushing for only ten yards in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, USC led 23-20, hanging onto the lead by a thread. Penn State responded instantly with a 20-yard field goal, going 72 yards on nine plays.

USC quarterback Miller Moss connected with Kyron Hudson for a 5-yard score to give the Trojans back their lead, 30-23, setting up a nail-biting finish. On the next drive, Allar found a wide-open Nicholas Singleton for a 14-yard score with 2:53 in the fourth quarter to even the game at 30.

In an opportunity to win the game, Moss threw an interception on 3rd-and-6 with 14 seconds left to negate a chance for kicker Micheal Lantz to attempt a kick. 

In overtime, the Trojans offense had the first crack at it. Yet, their drive stalled after three plays. Micheal Lantz missed the 45-yard field goal that would have the Trojans atop. 

Penn State played it smart, letting their freshman kicker Ryan Barker be the decider. Barker nailed the 36-yard field goal to keep Penn State’s record perfect, moving to 6-0. 

"Everybody's going to hit their adversity; that's part of it. You either stand up and fight, or you bow down," Riley said. "I am not about to bow down."

Penn State coach James Franklin gave his freshman kicker the nickname Ryan “Cold as Ice” Barker after his game-winner. 

Penn State’s Allar finished 30 of 43 for 391 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Moss was 20 of 32 for 220 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. 

Next, USC is at Maryland. Penn State is at Wisconsin on Oct. 26.