Nicholas Singleton and Penn State’s defense wasted no time reminding college football why the Nittany Lions are ranked No. 2 in the country.
Singleton scored twice on short touchdown runs, the defense forced three early turnovers, and Penn State cruised past Nevada 46-11 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
Singleton capped the Lions’ opening possession with a 1-yard run and later added another plunge early in the third quarter. Fellow back Kaytron Allen contributed a 13-yard scoring run in the second, part of a ground game that steadily wore down the Wolf Pack.
Nevada self-destructed from the start. The Wolf Pack’s opening drive ended when cornerback AJ Harris pounced on Ky Woods’ fumble. Their next possession was worse: defensive tackle Zane Durant snagged a tipped pass from quarterback Chubba Purdy inside Penn State territory.
“Turnovers flip games, and today we gave Penn State way too many chances,” Nevada coach Jeff Choate said.
Quarterback Drew Allar kept the offense humming, completing 22 of 26 passes for 217 yards before giving way to backup Ethan Grunkemeyer midway through the third quarter. Allar connected with Kyron Hudson for a 31-yard touchdown just before halftime, stretching the lead to 27-3. Hudson finished with six catches for 89 yards, while Trebor Peña added seven grabs for 74.
Ryan Barker provided steady insurance with four field goals. By the end of the night, Penn State had outgained Nevada 436-203 and limited the Wolf Pack to just 78 rushing yards—50 of which came on their final possession.
Nevada’s only highlights were Joe McFadden’s 28-yard field goal in the first half and a late 9-yard touchdown pass from backup AJ Bianco to Marcus Bellon with 25 seconds left. Purdy’s outing was marred by mistakes, including the costly interception to Durant and a failed fourth-down throw deep in Penn State territory early in the fourth quarter.
Penn State’s defensive front was as disruptive as advertised. Dani Dennis-Sutton forced both Nevada fumbles, recorded a sack, and broke up a pass, while Durant embraced his rare interception. “I saw [linebacker] Xavier Gilliam coming free on the blind side,” Durant said. “I just had to be ready.”
Penn State: The Nittany Lions were dominant in all three phases, but with Ohio State’s upset of top-ranked Texas, bigger challenges loom in the Big Ten.
Nevada: The Wolf Pack moved the ball briefly but turnovers and an inability to finish drives doomed them against an elite opponent.
Nevada hosts Sacramento State on Saturday. Penn State welcomes Florida International to Beaver Stadium.
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