If you were one of the 110,233 fans packed into the sea of white at Beaver Stadium this past November, you didn't just see a game. You saw a statement. Honestly, before Washington vs Penn State even kicked off, the vibes were weird. Penn State was coming off that brutal loss to Ohio State, and everyone was wondering if James Franklin's squad would just sort of fold. They didn't. Instead, they delivered a 35-6 beatdown that felt a lot more lopsided than even that score suggests.
People talk about the "White Out" like it’s just a marketing gimmick or a cool photo op. It’s not. It’s a physical weight. Ask Washington’s quarterback Will Rogers, who looked basically paralyzed by the noise in the first half. The Huskies, fresh off a big win over USC, were supposed to bring some of that "Purple Reign" energy to the Big Ten’s most hostile environment. Instead, they got stuck in the mud.
The Tyler Warren Show and a Masterclass in Efficiency
There is no way to talk about this game without talking about Tyler Warren. The guy is a tight end, but he spent the night playing quarterback, running back, and basically whatever else he felt like. He finished with eight catches for 75 yards, but the real story was the direct snaps.
Two rushing touchdowns from the 2-yard line. Just bruising, old-school football.
Penn State didn’t just win; they were surgical. They scored touchdowns on their first four possessions. Think about that for a second. In a high-stakes conference game, you usually expect a feeling-out process. Not here. Drew Allar was 20-of-28 for 220 yards, looking totally unbothered by the pressure of the previous week. He found Julian Fleming for an 8-yard score right before halftime to make it 28-0. Basically, the game was over before the bands even hit the field.
Why Washington Couldn't Get Off the Bus
Jedd Fisch has done some good things at Washington, but this was a reality check. The Huskies’ offense, which usually averages over 400 yards, was held to a measly 193. That’s not a typo. 193 total yards.
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- The Rushing Attack: Jonah Coleman is a beast, but he was limited to 24 yards on 11 carries.
- The Quarterback Carousel: Will Rogers went 10-of-13 for just 59 yards and a pick. Demond Williams Jr. came in later and showed some life with 38 rushing yards, but the mountain was too high to climb.
- The Sack Factor: Abdul Carter and the Penn State front seven lived in the backfield. They finished with five sacks. Carter is playing like a guy who wants to be a top-five NFL draft pick, and honestly, who’s going to stop him?
The Huskies struggled with the "Big Ten-ness" of it all. The travel, the cold November air in Central Pennsylvania, and a defensive line that looked like it was made of granite. They couldn't convert on third down (only 4-of-13), and when you can't stay on the field in Beaver Stadium, the crowd just swallows you whole.
Historical Context: The One-Sided Rivalry
Before this 2024 meeting, Washington and Penn State hadn't seen much of each other. They played in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, which Penn State won 35-28. They played way back in 1921. But this game felt different because it was a conference matchup.
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Washington vs Penn State is now a Big Ten staple, and the Nittany Lions currently hold a 4-0 lead in the all-time series. It’s kinda crazy when you think about how successful Washington has been historically, but they just can’t seem to solve the Penn State puzzle.
What Most People Missed
Everyone looks at the final score, but the real "secret sauce" was Penn State's 266 rushing yards. Kaytron Allen was a workhorse with 98 yards. Freshman Corey Smith even got in on the action late with a 78-yard burst that almost took the roof off the place—if the stadium had a roof.
The Nittany Lions played "complementary football" in its purest form. The defense got the ball back, the offense ate clock, and the special teams didn't screw anything up (mostly). Ryan Barker did miss a field goal, but when you're up by 29, nobody is checking the stat sheet for kicking percentages.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you’re a fan or a bettor looking at future matchups between these two, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Trenches: Washington needs to beef up their interior lines if they want to survive these cross-country Big Ten trips. The skill players are there, but the "Big Boys" are the difference makers.
- The Demond Williams Factor: Keep an eye on the freshman QB at Washington. He brings a mobility that Rogers lacks, which might be the blueprint for Fisch moving forward.
- Tyler Warren’s Usage: As long as Andy Kotelnicki is calling plays for Penn State, expect the unexpected. If you aren't accounting for the tight end in the wildcat, you’ve already lost.
- Travel Fatigue is Real: Coming from Seattle to State College is a 2,500-mile trip. It matters. Look for Washington to perform much better when Penn State has to fly to the West Coast.
The 2024 edition of Washington vs Penn State proved that while Washington belongs in the Big Ten, they still have a few levels to climb before they can hang with the elite programs in the "White Out" environment. For Penn State, it was the perfect "get-right" game that kept their playoff hopes alive and well.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the 2025 Big Ten schedule to see if the rematch moves to Husky Stadium.
- Review Abdul Carter’s draft stock; he’s likely a first-rounder after that performance.
- If you plan on attending a game in State College, buy your white gear early—the local shops sell out days before kickoff.