SDSU football still can’t capture that elusive Power 5 win

The Aztecs were held to 242 total yards.

He found Saeed Blacknall for huge gainers and 101 yards overall.

Penn State coaches knew they had something in freshman Saquon Barkley, but did they know he would be this explosive and this dynamic this fast?

The Lions lost their top two running backs in the second quarter. Freshman Saquon Barkley and junior Akeel Lynch have combined to rush for 476 yards since the season-opening loss to Temple.

Next Time: Penn State hosts Army next week in the fourth of five consecutive home games.

Last week, Penn State had the cameras rolling in the locker room after the Lions’ win at Rutgers and Franklin made sure to rally the players around Zettel.

Johnson’s run injected life into both the team and the crowd and swung momentum back to the Nittany Lions. He finished with a team-high seven tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss.

“Oh, man, you really going to do that to me?” the big-boned gentleman in question, defensive tackle Austin Johnson, said in mock dismay of that designation. If it can string together more games like this, it could still be a force in the B1G.

Early on, the Lions gave up a dramatic 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The highlight of his day was a 19-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wideout Mikah Holder in the second quarter. His work might have resulted in a penalty kick of Penn’s own in the 71st minute, as he was collided into by a Penn State defender while entering the penalty area.

While the injuries mounted and the impact of those loses will be determined in the coming days, it pales in comparison to the game defensive tackle Anthony Zettel played through. Mike Gesicki fell short after a three-yard grab and go, while Hackenberg’s following pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage.

Blacknall barely played this year before Saturday and had zero catches.

Pumphrey added a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter.

The offense recorded touchdown drives of 80- and 90-yards. A promoter who is able to provide the quote that will make everything in Happy Valley seem like it is not only the greatest thing happening on any football field in the Big Ten, but in the world. He took advantage of the opportunity, sprinting in for his first career touchdown. Joey Julius converted from 40 yards and 24 yards.

But he also tossed a pretty 32-yard completion to Chris Godwin.

Penn State’s recipe for success Saturday involved the unlikely mixture of a slumping quarterback, an overlooked receiver and yes, a fat-guy touchdown.

Redshirt junior Malik Golden, who typically plays in Penn State’s nickel formation, got the nod in Lucas’ spot. Johnson took it from there, as his teammates jumped on him in the end zone and celebrated. Penn State was unable to get anything going and was outscored 7-0 by San Diego State.

San Diego State won the coin toss and received the ball to start, but only could muster a three-and-out.

There was much more trash talk heading into last year’s matchup, fueled by Penn State coach James Franklin’s boasts of dominating the region in recruiting and Flood’s refusal to utter the words “Penn State“. Barkley still led the team with 62 rushing yards. Penn State (2-1), meanwhile, erupted for 21 second quarter points largely on the strength of its running game and the Nittany Lions’ defense kept Rutgers under wraps. After a 2-yard rush, Barkley broke through for 21 yards to the SDSU 10. He bumped the lead to six points with a 24-yard field goal with 11:59 remaining in the half.