STATE COLLEGE — Penn State knocked out Central Michigan 33-14 on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Read how it happened below.
Penn State-Central Michigan key links
Lions-Chippewas fourth quarter updates
3:20 – Final score: Penn State 33, Central Michigan 13.
3:07 – Jake Pinegar just missed a 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. It’s still 33-14 PSU.
2:49 – Kalen King just forced a fumble and recovered it to stall a CMU drive that had reached PSU territory. Lions take over at their own 38 with 9:12 to go.
2:36 – Touchdown, Penn State: Sean Clifford just snuck it in from a couple of yards out. Penn State went for two but the pass to Washington didn’t make it to him. Lions lead 33-14 over Central Michigan with 14:43 left in the fourth quarter.
Penn State-Central Michigan third quarter updates
2:33 – End of three: Penn State 27, CMU 14. The Lions’ only third quarter points came after a Chippewas’ muffed punt at its own seven that the home team fell on. PSU has 1st and 10 at the CMU 14 to start the fourth.
2:15 – Chop Robinson flew into the backfield and hurried Richardson. Al l he could do was lob it out of the end zone as CMU went for it on fourth and goal from the five. With the help of two penalties, the Penn State defense holds inside its own 10-yard-line. Lions get the ball back with 7:15 to play in the quarter.
2:01 – Touchdown, Penn State: Sean Clifford to Brenton Strange for a three-yard scoring strike. The Lions make the Chippewas’ fumble hurt and go up double digits early in the third quarter. But, the extra point was blocked. It’s 27-14 PSU.
2:01 – Fumble: CMU punt returner Williams muffs it and Curtis Jacobs alertly fell right on top of it. It’ll be first and goal for Penn State at the CMU 7.
2:00 – After a Sal Wormley hold wiped out a long Kaytron Allen run, Penn State will open the second half with a punt.
1:57 – The second half is underway.
Lions-Chippewas second quarter updates
1:39 – It’s halftime. Penn State 21, Central Michigan 14. The Lions need a much better effort after the break. Things tailed off considerably after the quick 14-0 start.
1:25 – Interception: Johnny Dixon was like glue in coverage before turning and intercepting Richardson’s pass. Terrific play. Lions have 1:05 and three timeouts with the ball at its own 20.
1:19 – Touchdown, Penn State: One cut for Kaytron Allen leads him to wide open field and eventually the end zone. Lions needed a scoring drive and got one. It’s 21-14 PSU with 1:58 left in the half.
1:02 – Touchdown, Central Michigan: Richardson to Wilson for a 14-yard score. Penn State seemed to have some presnap confusion on the left side of its defensive formation. It’s tied 14-14 with 6:25 left in the first half.
12:55 – Sean Clifford threw a nice pass to Mitchell Tinsley on fourth down, but it was broken up. Penn State turns it over on downs and CMU takes back over at its own 33.
12:50 – Touchdown, Central Michigan: Richardson flipped a pass that Hogan caught one handed before waltzing into the end zone on 4th and goal from the two. There will not be a shutout on this day. Penn State 14, CMU 7 early in the second quarter.
Penn State-Cental Michigan first quarter updates
12:39 – End of one: Penn State 14, Central Michigan 0. CMU has second and 10 at the PSU 34 when the game resumes with the start of the second quarter.
12:21 – Touchdown, Penn State: Sean Clifford to Brenton Strange for another easy pitch and catch score. Theo Johnson made his first catch of the season on the drive, as well. It’s 14-0 PSU over CMU with 6:38 left in the first quarter.
12:18 – Interception for Penn State. Zakee Wheatley, the turnover king, does it again. Impressive second-year start for the Nittany Lion. PSU takes over at the CMU 15.
12:11 – Touchdown, Penn State: Sean Clifford to Mitchell Tinsley for an easy six. Lions marched down the field and go on the board first. They converted a pair of third downs before scoring. It’s 7-0 with 8:42 left in the first quarter.
11:58 – PSU won the toss and defers. CMU will kick off.
Nittany Lions-Chippewas pregame updates
(Updating in reverse chronological order.)
Penn State arrived just after 10 a.m. ET. James Franklin took his customary walk around the stadium. Then, players started filtering out to the field for early warmups and stretching.
We’ll have more news of note as the pads start to come on and traditional pregame warmups begin. There is a nice crowd in the parking lots today early.
11:35: Shelton, Vega, Dominic Rulli, Nelson, Effner is the backup OL.
11:34: Nick Singleton announced as starter at running back. Johnny Dixon starting.
11:25: Nick Dawkins not dressed today. Nor Traore or Golden Israel-Achumba.
11:23: JB Nelson will be wearing No. 56 today.
11:10: Running back Keyvone Lee not dressed and warming up with the running backs.
11:09: After last week, not sure there is any mystery to this, but Theo Johnson is again in pads and warming up this week.
11:07: Kaden Saunders and Jaden Dottin both in street clothes.
11:06: Jerry Cross and Kolt Pearce not dressed for Penn State at tight end today.
11:04: No change to the Penn State quarterback depth order this week. Sean Clifford leading the way, Drew Allar still up second. Christian Veilleux and Beau Pribula rounding out the lineup.
11:02: Smith Vilbert also not dressed for today’s game.
11 a.m.: Tyrece Mills, Coziah Izzard, and Ibrahim Traore are not available today based on the fact they’re hanging in the end zone while early warmups start. Mills has a big brace looking things on his right leg.
