McSorley, Barkley lead offense; Defense pulls in five takeaways

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley turned in record performances in the first half as Penn State (3-0) cruised past Georgia State (0-2), 56-0, before 102,746 fans Saturday night in Beaver Stadium. Barkley enjoyed a career-day through the air, pulling in an 85-yard touchdown reception as part of a four-catch, 142-yard effort. It was the third-longest passing play in Penn State history and the longest ever by Penn State in Beaver Stadium. McSorley finished with 309 yards passing and four touchdowns on 18-of- 23 passing after throwing for a Penn State-record 258 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. Both only played through the first two drives of the third quarter.

Barkley and McSorley were not the only contributors offensively, as eight different Nittany Lions ultimately found the end zone. Tommy Stevens, who also threw for a touchdown, caught the first touchdown of the game, while receivers Saeed Blacknall, DaeSean Hamilton and Brandon Polk also added touchdown catches. Running backs Miles Sanders and Andre Robinson both broke free for long touchdown runs in the second half.

Earning their second shutout in three games, the Penn State defense pulled in five turnovers; all of which led to touchdowns. Marcus Allen highlighted the unit’s takeaways with his first career interception, which he returned 50 yards into Georgia State territory. Penn State did not allow the Panthers into the red zone until the final drive of the game.

Penn State outgained Georgia State 526 yards to 320 and earned its largest win since defeating Coastal
Carolina, 66-10, in 2008.

Difference Makers
Penn State
 QB Trace McSorley – McSorley set a Penn State record for passing yards in the first half, completing 14-of-19 attempts for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He played until part way through the second offensive drive of the second half, leaving with 309 yards passing and four touchdowns, completing 18-of- 29 attempts. He also rushed for 24 yards on three carries with one touchdown, making him responsible for five of Penn State’s eight touchdowns. His touchdown passes extended his Penn State-record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 18. His 85-yard touchdown pass to Barkley makes him the first Penn State quarterback with two career 80-plus yard passing plays.
 QB Tommy Stevens – Stevens saw action as both a receiver out of the backfield and quarterbacked much of the second half. He finished with two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown and completed 2-of- 4 pass attempts for 43 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown toss to Saeed Blacknall in the third quarter. His receiving and passing touchdowns were the first of his career.

 RB Saquon Barkley – Playing through only the first offensive drive of the second half, Barkley totaled a career-high 142 yards receiving, aided by an 85-yard touchdown reception. He also added 50 yards on 10 carries and returned the opening kickoff 37 yards to total 226 all-purpose yards.

 WR Saeed Blacknall – Blacknall totaled three catches for 64 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown
reception.

 WR DaeSean Hamilton – Hamilton caught three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown in the second
quarter.

 RBs Miles Sanders and Andre Robinson – Sanders and Robinson both broke off long touchdown runs in the second half, as Sanders scored from 29 yards out and Robinson scored from 41.

 LB Manny Bowen – Bowen led the Lions with six tackles and assisted on a sack.

 DE Daniel Joseph – Joseph made his first career tackles, including 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and 2.5
stops behind the line.

 DBs Marcus Allen, Grant Haley and Tariq Castro-Fields – Allen, Haley and Castro-Fields all hauled in
interceptions. For Allen and Castro-Fields, it was their first career picks. Allen returned his for 50 yards,
and all three resulted in touchdown drives.
 DL Kevin Givens and Yetor Gross-Matos – The defensive linemen both recovered their first career
fumbles.
 DE Shaka Toney – Toney had his first career forced fumble and a career-high three tackles, career-best 1.5 tackles for loss and his first career sack.

Georgia State
 RB Taz Bateman – Bateman paced the Panthers 100 rushing yards on 29 carries. He also caught three
passes for 19 yards.

Penn State begins its Big Ten and road slate at Iowa with a 7:30 p.m. kick televised on ABC.