If you look at the stats, Penn State absolutely dominated the game.
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“His running form was awesome”, Franklin said, finally letting a smile form. Blacknail caught four balls for 101 yards; Godwin caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Cornerback Grant Haley missed the season’s first two games, and starting safeties Jordan Lucas and Marcus Allen were out Saturday.
The former Zephyr later injured in his ankle in the first half and did not return in the game.
TALE OF TWO BACKS: Penn State true freshman Saquon Barkley and San Diego State junior D.J. Pumphrey have similar skillsets but enter the game on different trajectories. Neither returned to the game, and the Lions’ running game evaporated as a result. “It’s hard not to start jumping up and dancing around with him because everyone else is having fun out there”. On running back Akeel Lynch’s 75-yard, untouched dash to the end zone in the second quarter, Hackenberg made several pre-snap calls to get his teammates on the same page.
The Aztecs (1-3) took their only lead of the game on their next possession when Maxwell Smith found Mikah Holder in tight coverage for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Penny played a big part, taking a first-down carry 55 yards to set up the score.
From then on, Penn could be considered to have had the better of it, outshooting the Nittany Lions, 11-4, after Penn State took the two-goal lead.
And it was left to Johnson to deliver the knockout punch. But on Saturday it was Day 1 for a new life for Anthony Zettel, his father losing his battle with cancer less than 24-hours prior. He declined to divulge details – he didn’t want to overshare a private matter – but he lauded Zettel and his family for the way they’ve handled everything.
But this moment represented something more. It is why Johnson scrawled “T-Bone”, as the elder Zettel was known, on the tape on his right wrist.
“I’ve been doing this for three years now”, Golden said.
And so he did, with his long fumble return.
Of course, he turned around the next week and beat an undefeated Michigan team in four overtimes. After giving up 500 yards to the University of South Alabama, Rocky Long’s defense gave up 400 yards to Penn State.
With San Diego State holding a one-point lead, Lloyd Mills muffed a Penn State punt at the Aztecs 27 and it was recovered by the Nittany Lions.
After stepping away from a tackler, Johnson saw nothing but green grass in front of him along the west sideline.
You are exclusively responsible for your comments and by using TribLive.com you agree to our Terms of Service. Johnson was the solid, quiet middle-clogger who freed others to make plays.
“That’s something I picked up as I got older”, Hackenberg said. I can not imagine the emotions going through that young man’s mind, and I think we all teared up a little at the sight of him going into the stands and hugging his mom and the rest of his family.
Johnson weighs 325. He had never scored a touchdown, at any level.
And happy, too, to provide Zettel with some solace.
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Haley was able to land a role as the team’s top kick returner and eventually earned time on defense last season. Penn State coach James Franklin told reporters after the game that there was “no pressure” on Zettel to play, but the senior defensive tackle wanted to suit up for his family and led the team with seven tackles, 2.5 for a loss and added a fumble recovery. He’s here with us. All his brothers in the locker room are going to have his back. We’re gonna modify practice tomorrow and go support him.
