5 takeaways from Penn State's win against Rutgers

The game was close throughout the entirety of the game. At times, Rutgers looked to have the game in control, others Penn State controlled including the most important time, the final minutes. Penn State came out victorious, 40-36, and while there's a lot to like from the game, there were also struggles from the team's high-scoring, close victory.

Here are five takeaways from the Nittany Lions' victory to get them to bowl eligibility.

Defense was nonexistent for the first 50 minutes

The defense under Jim Knowles had no answers for Athen Kaliakmanis, Antwan Raymond, and company for the majority of the game.

Raymond constantly broke tackles, running for 189 yards and a 6.5 yards per rush clip, with nothing going right on the defensive side.

When Kaliakmanis pulled it back, he went 16-of-22 for 338 yards and three touchdowns and found the leading receiver, KJ Duff, who also gave the defense problems.

Duff was borderline unguardable throughout the game, but caught just five passes for 127 yards, including a one-handed snag on a third down to keep the Scarlet Knights alive. There were no answers for the entire offense throughout the first 50 minutes, but that changes within the final 10 minutes of the game

Dani Dennis-Sutton, defense with clutch plays

It wasn't until the final 10 minutes that Penn State's defense started to make plays. With Rutgers driving down the field with a chance to ice the game, Dennis-Sutton's presence sped Kaliakmanis's process up.

When the ball dropped on the ground, Amare Campbell picked the ball up and ran it back for a touchdown, giving the Nittany Lions a lead again.

However, that wasn't the only big play. Another drive into Penn State's territory forced a 4th-and-1 to keep the game alive. A read option forced Kaliakmanis to keep the ball after Dennis-Sutton made a beeline for Raymond. Campbell and Zion Tracy shut down the second part of the option, giving the Nittany Lions the ball back and ultimately ending the game.

Running backs run wild

In the final regular-season game of the storied careers of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, they had one of the best showings of their career.

Allen constantly broke runs and had multiple big plays to keep the offense alive. He set a career high with 226 yards on just 22 carries and a touchdown.

Singleton also had himself a day. He set three different records: Total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and all-purpose yards. He ran it nine times for 86 yards and two touchdowns, including a 53-yard rush that showed times of old for the senior running back.

Ethan Grunkemeyer's efficient day

Ethan Grunkemeyer has consistently shown growth. In the game against Rutgers, he threw on-time passes and hit receivers in stride. He went 17-of-21 for 209 yards and a touchdown.

At the end of the first half, the offense could've run the clock out and gone into the half in a tie. Instead, Grunkemeyer showed poise and calmness, leading the team on a 56-yard, 26-second drive to get a field goal before the half.

Three straight plays pushed the team into field goal position after gaining first downs, and instead of clocking the ball, the team ran another play, pushing the ball down the field on another great throw.

Depending on the new coach, he's played himself into the starting the role for the 2026 season.

Andrew Rappleyea emerges as the top tight end

Andrew Rappleyea has emerged as the main tight end. Rappleyea led the team in receiving yards, with 75 yards on four catches and a touchdown.

His 53-yard touchdown reception was a catalyst in the opening quarter of a highly offensive quarter.

He has also added a blocking aspect that has catapulted the running game since his emergence. Rappleyea, along with Khalil Dinkins, has provided running and passing opportunities out of 12 personnel.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: 5 takeaways from Penn State's win against Rutgers