Penn State vs. Minnesota score, takeaways: Fake punt, gutsy fourth-down calls save Nittany Lions from upset

Penn State's CFP case stays alive

The Nittany Lions entered the day at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff Rankings with a red carpet if they could handle close games against Minnesota and Maryland. Things got far too close for comfort during the win against the Golden Gophers, but style points aren't needed at this point in the season.

Especially with No. 5 Indiana and No. 11 Ole Miss losing, the Nittany Lions are nearly assured a spot in the postseason. The path to hosting a home playoff game at Beaver Stadium inches ever closer.

Fortune favored the bold

Minnesota and Penn State each had key fourth-down opportunities in the fourth quarter. The differing ways they handled those ultimately decided the game. James Franklin dialed up a gusty fake punt on fourth-and-1 in his own territory. If it failed, Minnesota could have kicked a game-winning field goal.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck played it safe. After getting first-and-goal from the 7-yard line, the Gophers ultimately threw two times before settling for a field goal that turned a one-score game into a one-score game with under six minutes to play.

The more aggressive coach won.

Warren remains unstoppable

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren has been sensational all season long, and his performance against Minnesota only emphasized his mismatch ability. Warren caught eight passes for 102 yards to lead all receivers in the game. During one key stretch in the fourth quarter, Warren caught three straight passes to set up a touchdown run from Nick Singleton.

The Nittany Lions have been looking for playmakers to emerge to help them contend against the best defenses in college football. Warren has now reached 100 yards four times this season, including 16 catches for 229 yards over his previous two matchups. The race between Warren and Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr. for the Mackey Award will go down to the wire.

Penn State outlasts Minnesota

FINAL: No. 4 Penn State 26, Minnesota 25

No. 4 Penn State survived a major upset attempt by Minnesota, 26-25, to stay alive in the College Football Playoff race. On the game's final drive, Penn State coach James Franklin made gutsy fourth-down calls to allow the Nittany Lions to run out the clock and escape with a win.

Facing fourth-and-1 deep in their own territory, Penn State ran a fake punt that tight end Luke Reynolds took 32 yards into Minnesota territory. Four plays later, quarterback Drew Allar converted another fourth down to ice the game. Then, on the final play, Allar connected with star tight end Tyler Warren. The three fourth-down conversions were a major swing after Penn State started the game 1-of-10 on third down.

Minnesota threw its best shot and nearly pulled off a monumental upset. Quarterback Max Brosmer threw for 175 yards and a touchdown, but his two turnovers proved pivotal; the Nittany Lions scored two field goals. Running backs Darius Taylor and Marcus Major combined for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Allar threw for 244 yards and a touchdown, with 102 yards coming to Warren in another strong performance. After a slow rushing start, running back Nic Singleton rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Penn State takes chance

4Q: No. 4 Penn State 26, Minnesota 25

Penn State seemed to go three-and-out late in the fourth quarter facing the pivotal closing minutes. Instead, James Franklin dialed up a gutsy fake punt to Luke Reynolds that he took 32 yards for a massive first down deep in Minnesota territory.

Minnesota D comes up big

4Q: No. 4 Penn State 26, Minnesota 22

Penn State tried to take advantage of a major miscue by Minnesota's offense, but the Gophers' defense got yet another third down stop to hold the Nittany Lions to a field goal. Quarterback Drew Allar searched for tight end Tyler Warren, but Minnesota made a solid play. Now, Minnesota has a chance to take the lead.

Key Minnesota fumble

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer made his second big mistake of the game to give Penn State the ball with great field position. Brosmer lost control of the ball and dropped it on the ground, where it was recovered near midfield. Penn State can take control.

Tight battle

End 3Q: No. 4 Penn State 23, Minnesota 22

Penn State and Minnesota are in a close game entering the fourth quarter. The Gophers are driving down the field with a chance to take a fourth quarter lead against the CFP contending Nittany Lions. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has thrown for 207 yards, but Penn State has rushed for only 56 yards on 19 carries. Going 1-of-7 on third down has also been a major issue.

Minnesota has only 223 yards, but they have 14 first downs and converted a key fourth down.

PSU finds some momentum

3Q: No. 4 Penn State 23, Minnesota 22

Penn State faced a short field and tight end Tyler Warren delivered. Warren caught three straight passes for 30 yards to set up a 12-yard touchdown run from Nick Singleton. The Gophers had bottled up the run game for most of three quarters, but Penn State is starting to create some opportunities.

Gophers get another stop

3Q: Minnesota 22, No. 4 Penn State 16

Penn State started to get some offense going after Drew Allar found Harrison Wallace for an 18-yard reception. However, another third down conversion went awry as Minnesota has now held Penn State to 1-of-7 on third down. Both teams have barely cleared 200 yards late in the third quarter.

Minnesota comes out swinging

On the first play of the second half, Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer took a shot. Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh dialed up four verts and Brosmer connected with Elijah Spencer for 23 yards to reach midfield. Minnesota has pulled out all the stops and kept its foot on the pedal early in the second half.

Nittany Lions on upset watch

HALF: Minnesota 19, No. 4 Penn State 16

No. 4 Penn State is on upset alert, trailing 19-16 against Minnesota at halftime. The Golden Gophers blocked an extra point and returned it for a score to seize control going into the break.

The end of the first half featured multiple wild swings. The Gophers appeared to take control of the game after blocking a punt to set up a 21-yard flea flicker from quarterback Max Brosmer to Jameson Geers. However, Penn State got a controversial pass interference call to help set up a four-yard keeper from quarterback Drew Allar that appeared to tie the game. However, Minnesota scored another special teams score to maintain their lead.

The Minnesota defense has been the biggest star of the show, holding Penn State to 10 yards rushing on 13 carries. Penn State came into the matchup as a top-five team nationally in third-down conversions but went only 1 of 6 against Minnesota. The first touchdown for Penn State came on a busted coverage allowing a 45-yard touchdown pass from Drew Allar to Omari Evans.

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer has thrown for 70 yards, while running backs Darius Taylor and Marcus Major combined for 83 yards on the ground. The Golden Gophers get the ball first out of halftime.

PSU evens things up

2Q: No. 4 Penn State 10, Minnesota 10

Penn State's defense stepped up with an interception and the Nittany Lions took advantage. PSU actually lost offensive yardage on the drive, but it was enough to set up a 45-yard field goal by Ryan Barker. Dominic DeLuca nabbed the interception off Max Brosmer and returned it all the way to the Minnesota 23-yard line.

Penn State strikes back

2Q: Minnesota 10, No. 4 Penn State 7

Penn State's offense was stuffed early, but offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki opened up his bag of tricks to get the Nittany Lions into the end zone. Penn State ran play action and cleared out a wide open Omari Evans for a 45-yard touchdown. The score was the first strike for Penn State.

Minnesota in control early

End 1Q: Minnesota 7, No. 4 Penn State 0

The story has been the Minnesota defense, which held Penn State to a single yard rushing and and got a key fourth-down sack to set the Gophers offense up near midfield.

Minnesota has taken advantage of its opportunities. And the trio of QB Max Brosmer and RBs Darius Taylor and Marcus Major have nearly a combined 100 yards of offense already. A loss for Penn State would hurt in the playoff picture.

Minnesota defense stands tall

Trailing by seven points in the first quarter, Penn State decided to go for it on a key fourth down. Minnesota's defense was up to the challenge and sacked Drew Allar for a massive loss, giving Minnesota the ball near midfield. The Gophers can take control of the game here.

Gophers strike first

1Q: Minnesota 7, No. 4 Penn State 0

After forcing a three-and-out on the opening drive, Minnesota put together a picture-perfect drive to reach the end zone first with a nine-play, 70-yard drive that lasted 4:12. Running back Darius Taylor and quarterback Max Brosmer were both sharp, combining for 50 yards to set up a 20-yard scamper by running back Marcus Major. This is the first first-drive touchdown that Penn State has allowed since Sept. 28 against Illinois.

Key OT goes out

Penn State got the ball to start the game, but already has a bad break. Right tackle Anthony Donkoh, an emerging player on an improving Penn State offensive line, needed help leaving the field after suffering an apparent right leg injury. Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci entered the game and he has appeared in 10 games as a key backup.

Game prediction

Penn State is rolling right now and has won its last three non-Ohio State games by at least 15 points. However, good defenses and aggressive passing offenses have caused issues at times. Against UCLA, the Nittany Lions won by only 27-11. Illinois also held Penn State to 21 points, while Ohio State kept the PSU offense out of the end zone. Minnesota will be able to keep things close, hold onto the ball and come in under the betting line. Pick: Minnesota +11.5

Penn State vs. Minnesota live stream, where to watch, TV channel, kickoff time, odds, spread, prediction, pick

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Penn State vs. Minnesota live stream, where to watch, TV channel, kickoff time, odds, spread, prediction, pick

Superstar tight end

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren has become one of the most versatile playmakers in college football during a breakout season under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. In a 33-30 overtime win against USC, he exploded for 17 catches for 224 yards.

Penn State's humble hero: Tyler Warren's historic performance wills No. 4 Nittany Lions to key road victory

John Talty