STATE COLLEGE, PA – An explosive second quarter lifted the Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) over the UMass Minutemen (0-4, 0-0 MAC) by the final score of 48-7 in front of a crowd of just over 99,000.
The game started predictably. Sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg threw two incomplete passes, allowing UMass to take possession and drive for 41 yards, although they were ultimately unsuccessful against a solid Penn State defense. After UMass attempted a 39-yard field goal, Bill Belton stutter-stepped his way around the Minutemen for a 14-yard run, setting up Sam Ficken’s 42-yard field goal and the first three points of the afternoon.
Following the opening score, the Minutemen continued to struggle against the Nittany Lions’ defense.
Running back Akeel Lynch put the offense back on track with a 46-yard rush (a new career record for the sophomore) and Ficken picked up another field goal to end the first quarter 6-0, marking the fourth game of the season that the Nittany Lions have not allowed their opponent to score in the first quarter.
This 6-0 run only seemed to wet the appetite of the Nittany Lions as their relentless offense hounded the Minutemen. Hackenberg, as expected, quickly figured out the defense and went on to orchestrate four touchdown drives in the second quarter – two apiece for senior running backs Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak. Ficken completed the extra point opportunity on each of the attempts, bringing the score to 34-0 to wrap up the first half.
The Nittany Lions scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter to decisively take their fourth game. Lynch picked up a 15-yard rush with 8:10 left in the quarter, but freshman quarterback D.J. Crook threw an 11-yard reception to sophomore tight end Brent Wilkerson, the first touchdown for the pair, igniting the crowd.
Where Penn State grew stronger and hit harder, UMass got sloppy. Plagued with incomplete passes and a dominating Penn State defense, the Minutemen did not score until the fourth quarter when UMass senior quarterback Blake Frohnapfel connected with wide receiver Tajae Sharpe for a 77-yard touchdown reception. Freshman Matthew Wylie’s kick was good, leaving the score 48-7 for the rest of the game.
Zwinak, Belton, and Hackenberg all excelled, but it was perhaps Ficken who had the most meaningful game.
After scoring on each of his attempts this afternoon, Ficken has a total of 207 career points, leaving him at seventh place on Penn State’s career scoring list.
“Ficken’s great. He’s been through a lot of ups and downs at Penn State, but he’s got a great head on his shoulders and he’s always looking to get better,” teammate Ryan Keiser said. “It’s been a privilege to hold for him. He’s done a great job.”
Penn State will return to Beaver Stadium next Saturday to play Northwestern at 12:00 pm.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
