Penn State's 2025 season hit its first major roadblock on September 27 as the No. 3 Nittany Lions fell to No. 6 Oregon 30-24 in double overtime at Beaver Stadium. A crowd of 111,015 witnessed a defensive struggle that saw Penn State mount a furious fourth-quarter comeback only to fall short in the extra periods.
First Half Struggles
The game began as a defensive clinic, with both teams managing just three points each in the first half. Penn State's offense struggled to find rhythm against Oregon's physical defense, while the Nittany Lions' defense kept the Ducks' explosive offense in check.
Oregon Takes Control
The Ducks seized momentum in the third quarter, building a 17-3 lead that appeared to put the game out of reach. Oregon dominated possession, holding the ball for more than 33 minutes overall and outgaining Penn State by nearly 150 yards. Jordan Davison's 8-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 with 12:25 remaining in the game gave Oregon a commanding 14-point advantage.
Fourth Quarter Heroics
Trailing 17-3 midway through the fourth quarter, Penn State refused to quit. The Nittany Lions outgained Oregon 142-71 in total yardage over the final 15 minutes of regulation, scoring 14 unanswered points to tie the game. The comeback energized the massive home crowd and forced overtime.
Senior quarterback Drew Allar finished 14-for-25 with 137 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Devonte Ross was the hero of the comeback, catching four passes for 48 yards and both of Allar's touchdown passes.
Overtime Drama
In the first overtime period, senior running back Kaytron Allen powered into the end zone for what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown. Allen carried the ball 12 times for 54 yards on the night, providing consistent production in the running game.
However, Oregon's Jamari Johnson answered immediately with a touchdown of his own, extending the game to a second overtime. On Penn State's first play of the second overtime, Allar's pass was intercepted by Oregon freshman Dillon Thieneman, ending the game and giving the Ducks a 30-24 victory.
Standout Performances
Oregon improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play, extending their regular-season conference winning streak to 12 games. Freshmen Dakorien Moore and Dierre Hill Jr. were standouts for the Ducks, posting 89 yards receiving and 82 yards rushing, respectively.
For Penn State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten), the loss was particularly frustrating given the statistical dominance displayed by Oregon. The Ducks controlled the ball and dictated pace for most of the game, yet Penn State had multiple opportunities to win in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Looking Ahead
The defeat drops Penn State to 0-1 in Big Ten play and gives Oregon the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage. With challenging games remaining against Ohio State, Michigan, and other conference opponents, the Nittany Lions' margin for error in the Big Ten Championship race has significantly decreased.
Penn State must quickly rebound and learn from the late-game execution issues that cost them victory. The team's resilience in mounting the fourth-quarter comeback demonstrates championship mentality, but closing out tight games against elite opponents remains a challenge that must be addressed.