The return of Penn State football for the new season has stirred a lot of excitement, especially on social media platforms like Twitter/X. The Nittany Lions kicked off their season with a 34-12 win over West Virginia in a game that, despite facing challenges like a long lightning delay, kept fans engaged and eager to share their thoughts online. This victory, marked by solid performances and some controversial moments, set the tone for what could be an intriguing season ahead.
Penn State’s quarterback, Drew Allar, played a crucial role in the game, making several impressive plays that quickly became the talk of social media. Fans and analysts alike were buzzing with excitement over his potential, contributing to the lively online discussions throughout the game. However, it wasn’t just Allar’s performance that had people talking. A lengthy rain delay, which brought back memories of the 2017 Michigan State game, left fans restless and eager for the game to resume. Despite the delay, Penn State maintained their focus and secured a comfortable win.
The game wasn’t without controversy, though. Some of the officiating decisions were questioned by fans and commentators, with several blatantly incorrect calls sparking frustration on social media. While these questionable decisions didn’t affect the outcome of the game, they certainly added to the drama and fueled online discussions. Overall, the return of Penn State football was met with enthusiasm, as fans celebrated the start of the college football season, which promised to be filled with upsets and memorable moments right from the first week.
On the other side of the field, West Virginia had a much tougher day. The Mountaineers struggled to keep up with Penn State, particularly on the defensive side. Their inability to generate pressure on Penn State’s quarterback, Drew Allar, proved costly. The Mountaineers failed to record a single sack and could not force a turnover for most of the game, which ultimately contributed to their downfall. West Virginia’s defense allowed Penn State to score crucial touchdowns at pivotal moments, including just before halftime and on the first drive of the second half, making it difficult for the Mountaineers to mount a comeback.
West Virginia’s offense also struggled, particularly disappointing given that they returned many key players from the previous season. Despite having 11 possessions in the game, the Mountaineers only managed to gain significant yardage on a few drives, and their only serious scoring threats ended in disappointment. A fumble near the Penn State 30-yard line, just after West Virginia’s defense had forced their only turnover of the game, was a particularly frustrating moment for the team. The Mountaineers were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, including a crucial fourth-and-1 situation where they were stopped short, missing a chance to take an early lead.
The lack of a strong running game was particularly concerning for West Virginia. Despite leading the FBS in rushing last season, the Mountaineers were held to just 85 rushing yards on 37 attempts in this game, a far cry from their usual performance. The absence of left tackle Wyatt Milum in the second half due to cramping didn’t help matters, but even with Milum on the field, West Virginia’s offense struggled to find the end zone.
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown expressed disappointment in his team’s performance, acknowledging that they failed to meet expectations. He noted that the team didn’t give themselves a chance to compete effectively against a strong Penn State defense, and the Mountaineers’ mistakes only compounded their problems. Brown was particularly critical of the team’s execution in critical moments, such as the botched snap on the third sequence that resulted in a significant loss of yardage. He emphasized that these errors prevented West Virginia from staying competitive in the game.
Despite the challenges, there were still some opportunities for West Virginia to make the game more competitive. The Mountaineers were inside Penn State’s 30-yard line four times in the first half but only came away with six points, failing to convert on key red zone opportunities. Quarterback Garrett Greene acknowledged that the team struggled in crucial situations, particularly on third downs, where they managed to convert only four of 14 attempts.
Greene, who entered the season hoping to improve his completion percentage, had a rough start, completing just 15 of 28 passes for 161 yards. Coach Brown expressed confidence in Greene’s ability to bounce back, but acknowledged that his performance in this game was not up to the standard needed to compete against a top team like Penn State. Despite the tough start, Brown remains hopeful that Greene and the rest of the team will improve as the season progresses.
In summary, while Penn State celebrated a strong start to the season with a win over West Virginia, the Mountaineers were left to reflect on a disappointing performance that highlighted several areas in need of improvement. Social media reactions captured the highs and lows of the game, from Penn State’s dominant performance to West Virginia’s struggles, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting college football season.
