Penn State Football Needs Huge Games From These Key Players to Beat Oregon
Every matchup in football demands a unique strategy—and every strategy looks brilliant until you get punched in the mouth. That adage could hold true for No. 3 Penn State Football against No. 1 Oregon.
For Penn State to dethrone undefeated Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday night in Indianapolis, key players will need to rise to the occasion, absorb the hits, and deliver when it matters most.
Here are the Nittany Lions who must step up big under the lights.
Penn State Football’s Key Players vs. Oregon
RBs Kaytron Allen & Nick Singleton: Controlling the Ground Game
The formula for challenging Oregon is clear—run the ball, and run it well.
The Ducks struggled to contain the rushing attacks of their toughest opponents this season, and Penn State is hitting its stride on the ground. The Nittany Lions have delivered three straight games with 200+ rushing yards, a trend they must continue to have a shot at victory.
Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, the backfield duo, will face a tough Oregon defensive front that won’t allow easy gains. It will take vision, patience, and physicality to exploit even the smallest gaps. Extra effort on every carry could swing the game in Penn State’s favor. While there are several paths to victory, surpassing 200 yards on the ground might be their best ticket to a Big Ten title.
Edge Rushers Dani Dennis-Sutton, Abdul Carter: Disrupting Oregon’s Passing Attack
Oregon’s offense thrives on explosive plays, with quarterback Dylan Gabriel leading a fast-paced attack featuring elite wide receivers who can burn defenses deep. But those deep shots require time—and that’s a luxury Gabriel won’t have against Penn State’s ferocious pass rush.
The Nittany Lions rank No. 1 in the nation in getting to the quarterback quickly, a strength led by defensive stars Dani Dennis-Sutton and Abdul Carter. These two will need to bring relentless pressure, force Gabriel out of his comfort zone, and eliminate Oregon’s ability to take the top off the defense. If Sutton and Carter can harass Gabriel consistently, they’ll disrupt the Ducks’ rhythm and limit their big-play potential.
Beau Pribula, Drew Allar: A Quarterback Duo Built for This Moment
Don’t underestimate the value of Penn State’s two-quarterback system.
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has been creative all season, sprinkling new wrinkles into formations that keep defenses guessing. That versatility could be the key to catching Oregon off guard.
Beau Pribula adds a dynamic rushing threat, but his arm shouldn’t be overlooked—he’s thrown five touchdowns on just 25 completions this season, proving he can make the most of his opportunities. Meanwhile, Drew Allar is the steady leader under center, capable of delivering clutch performances in high-pressure moments.
If used in a complementary one-two punch, Pribula’s explosiveness and Allar’s poise could present major challenges for Oregon’s defense. But for Penn State to claim the Big Ten Championship, Allar must have the best game of his career—sharp, decisive, and confident from start to finish.
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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