Who were the difference makers in Penn State's Big Ten opener against Oregon?
In a thriller in Happy Valley, Penn State lost in heartbreaking fashion in double overtime against the 6th ranked Oregon Ducks. After coming back from a 17-3 deficit in the fourth and matching scores with the Ducks in the first OT, Drew Allar tossed a game ending interception to Dillon Thieneman to end the game as the Ducks escaped with a 30-24 victory. Still, Penn State can come away with this one with their heads held high after a spirited fourth quarter comeback. Drew Allar showed some guts before the backbreaking pick in OT and Devonte Ross was a big sparkplug to ignite the comeback. Here are the offensive and defensive players of the game in a stunner.
Offensive Player of the Game: Devonte Ross
Stats: 4 receptions, 48 yds, 2 TDs
I could have given this to Drew Allar for his gutsy play in the fourth, but Ross was ultimately the sparkplug for the Nittany Lions. His 35-yard touchdown brought life back to Beaver Stadium and his game-tying touchdown on a push pass showed versatility. In a game in which the Nittany Lions looked left for dead, Ross raised his level along with Allar to force OT. Without his play late in the fourth, Nittany Lions fans would have been hard pressed to find anyone who played well offensively. This offense will need explosiveness from here on out, and Ross' big play abilities will at least keep their playoff hopes alive if he can continue this momentum.
Defensive Player of the Game: Amare Campbell
Yet again, this felt more like a collective effort for the defense in its attempt to slow down the Oregon attack. But yet again, it was Amare Campbell in the middle of it all marshaling the defense. While their third-down woes reared their ugly head, Campbell seemed to be the most effective run stopper for the Nittany Lions. He yet again led the team in tackles with 8, 6 of them solo efforts, and generally looked lively amidst a somewhat chaotic at times defensive showing.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State players of the game in Week 5
Category: General Sports
