Drew Allar passes for two touchdowns and rushes for another as No. 8 Penn State narrowly defeats Bowling Green 34-27.


Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (10) escapes Bowling Green linebacker Avi McGary (15) during the second quarter of their NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)


STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Drew Allar threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another as No. 8 Penn State rallied from a tough first half to edge Bowling Green 34-27 on Saturday.


Nick Singleton contributed two touchdowns, Omari Evans caught a scoring pass, and Sander Sahaydak added two field goals for the Nittany Lions (2-0). Penn State struggled defensively early, trailing at halftime following one of their worst defensive performances in years.

Last season, Penn State allowed 24 or more points only twice, but struggled against Bowling Green's offense. The Falcons, led by quarterback Connor Bazelak, scored on four of their six first-half possessions, taking a 24-20 lead and drawing boos from the home crowd.


The Nittany Lions’ defense rebounded strongly in the second half, forcing three consecutive punts and intercepting Bazelak twice during the fourth quarter.

Penn State seized the lead for good when Allar connected with Singleton for a 14-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter. Singleton extended the lead with a 41-yard touchdown run with 4:09 left in the game.

Bowling Green, projected to finish third in the Mid-American Conference, made a strong start, with Bazelak finding Harold Fannin for a 6-yard touchdown on the Falcons' opening drive. This marked the first time in 29 games that Penn State allowed a touchdown on an opponent's opening possession.

The game featured a back-and-forth first half with Bazelak, who completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards, matching Allar's performance. Allar finished 13 of 20 for 204 yards.


Despite a shaky first half, Penn State's defense improved after the break, keeping Bowling Green scoreless in the second half.

**Bowling Green:** The Falcons had a strong start, putting Penn State on the defensive early. Bazelak was precise throughout the game and received solid support from his receivers. After a week off, Bowling Green will face Texas A&M at Kyle Field on September 21.


**Penn State:** The Nittany Lions dodged a potential disaster with a shaky first half. Despite the early struggles, they managed to adjust and capitalize on Bowling Green's defensive lapses. Penn State will take a break next week before hosting Kent State on September 21.