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At high noon on Saturday, the no. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions walked through the visitor’s tunnel at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis for a battle of unbeatens. Waiting on the other side of the field was PJ Fleck and the 17th ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers. Unfortunately, when the dust settled, the team that was left standing undefeated was Minnesota.
It was painfully clear from the get go that the first half was not going to be kinds to Penn State. After Justin Shorter dropped a pass on the first play from scrimmage, the game’s opening drive ended with Sean Clifford being intercepted inside the 10-yard line. While it was not a good throw by Clifford, there was also no effort from Shorter to play defense on the play. This was the first of two first half interceptions by Clifford — both of which happened inside the Minnesota 10 and led to Golden Gopher touchdowns — in what was a less than stellar half for the Nittany Lion signal caller.
If Sean Clifford bounces another wide open throw off the turf I swear...
— Tyler Strauser (@TylerStrauser) November 9, 2019
Opening a beer at 9:45am because Sean Clifford likes to throw the ball to people’s ankles. Let’s go baybeee
— Morgon (@M_Goranson) November 9, 2019
Sean Clifford has has at least 3 balls that were way way too low and could’ve been touchdowns
— MaTt (@MattHylen007) November 9, 2019
Minnesota’s best defensive player so far in this game is Sean Clifford.
— Reverend Paul Revere (@RevPaulRevere) November 9, 2019
I’m getting tired of the Sean Clifford take 1.5 quarters to not suck routine...
— 0h85 (@sitReaLM) November 9, 2019
Is it time for the Sean Clifford can’t play in the cold hot takes
— Ty (@ty_fagan) November 9, 2019
Pry’s unit ranked second nationally in rushing yards and points per per game, first in yards per carry, they had allowed three touchdowns just once all season, and they had allowed just 8 first quarter points. Well, at halftime Minnesota had 320 yards of offense and 24 points.
Penn State’s defense has been non existent ♂️
— Joe Sports (@IamJoeSports) November 9, 2019
Penn state’s defense looks asleep
— Experiment #625 (@DCrock53) November 9, 2019
Penn State’s defense needs a halftime and it’s still the first quarter. No sign of stopping Minnesota.
— Liam Angus Pfleegor (@LiamPfleegor) November 9, 2019
Could the real Penn State defense please report to the field.
— brendablue43 (@brendablue43) November 9, 2019
Penn State's defense better get it together or its going to be a long day.
— Craig S. (@only1scratch) November 9, 2019
Defense sleepwalking. #PennState
— Philly Sports Fanatic (@thunderducks26) November 9, 2019
Penn State Defense - YOUR SECONDARY IS KILLING ME.
— Laura (@Laura_PSU) November 9, 2019
#PennState's defense is looking sloppy so far. #PSUvsMINN
— Brad Rhen (@bradrhen) November 9, 2019
Where is the Defense???!!
— ANTHONY ADAMS (@spiceadams) November 9, 2019
Clifford’s second INT of the first half was not without controversy. While it was a poor throw by Cliff, Minnesota also got away with a blatant pass interference. This was a huge swing as it took at least 3 points off the board for Penn State and led to a Minnesota scoring a drive. A game they was on it’s way to be 17-14 Penn State, or, at worst, 14-13 Minnesota, became 21-10 Minnesota as a result.
(Can you spot the intended receiver) pic.twitter.com/Fbn0KI7ZDl
— Farmer Jones (@thefarmerjones) November 9, 2019
This was a bad pass but also … maybe pass interference https://t.co/VumeWGRes7
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) November 9, 2019
Not sure how pass interference was missed here. Really bad break for #PennState. #PSUvsMINN pic.twitter.com/z5f1u2OFqo
— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) November 9, 2019
Officiating in college football is just so bad. A blatant pass interference isn't called and instead of Penn State getting a first down Minnesota gets the ball and eventually scores.
— Bryan Driskell (@CoachD178) November 9, 2019
So sick of officials deciding games by not doing their job. Something has to be done.
That was definitely a terribly underthrown ball, but you can't tell me there still wasn't BLATANT pass interference, basically tackling him as they picked it off smh #PennState #Minnesota
— Dee Jaymes (@DMcQuaid106) November 9, 2019
One Nittany Lion that had a strong first half was redshirt sophomore running back Journey Brown. With Noah Cain sidelined due to injury, Brown’s workload increased and he responded in a big way.
Oh I see you Journey Brown #WeAre
— Matt McCord (@matt__mccord) November 9, 2019
Woah Journey Brown with that speed
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) November 9, 2019
When Journey Brown gets in the open field, forget about it
— Andy Close (@amclose05) November 9, 2019
Journey Brown. #WeAre
— Willzy (@Willsy145) November 9, 2019
Great play journey brown!
— John Balafoutas (@Balafoutas22) November 9, 2019
Journeyyyyyyy
— Steve Boyle (@Big_Baby_Steve) November 9, 2019
In the first half, Brown had 8 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. This included a pair of runs for 20+ yards. He finished with a career high 124 rushing yards and a pair of rushing scores. Brown also had a 17-yard reception.
Early in the second half the Nittany Lions were in dire need of a turnover and got it. This turnover came when Keaton Ellis and Lamont Wade teamed up to force a fumble that Shaka Toney recovered.
Big combo play by Lamont Wade and Keaton Ellis to force the fumble. It's getting reviewed at the break.
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) November 9, 2019
That's Keaton Ellis knocking it free, his third ff of the season.
— Matt Bortner (@M_Bortner) November 9, 2019
Lamont Wade, way to work. Look at those eyes.
— Michael Felder (@InTheBleachers) November 9, 2019
Yes! #PennState needed that. Shaka Toney on the fumble recovery. Let’s go #WildDogs. #WeAre
— Rich Turner 7️⃣9️⃣ (@RichTurner79) November 9, 2019
Shaka Toney!! With the fumble recovery at the last second.
— Matthew Lownes (@LownesMatthew) November 9, 2019
Yes! #PennState needed that. Shaka Toney on the fumble recovery. Let’s go #WildDogs. #WeAre
— Rich Turner 7️⃣9️⃣ (@RichTurner79) November 9, 2019
Following the fumble recovery, the offense put a drive together and marched down the field. It was capped off with a touchdown strike from Clifford to senior tight end Nick Bowers, and the Nittany Lions had cut Minnesota’s lead to 5.
Penn State capitalizes on the fumble recovery! Sean Clifford hits Nick Bowers for the 10 yard TD! pic.twitter.com/V2GL1V9cgC
— I'M SEEING GHOSTS (@FTBeard11) November 9, 2019
Nick Bowers. That’s it, that’s the tweet.
— Loags (@Big_loags) November 9, 2019
Nick Bowers does not drop the touchdown. Minnesota leads Penn State 24-19 after failed 2-point conversion, which I don’t agree with trying at this point of game.
— (M)J (LB)J (@JordanGame6) November 9, 2019
Nick Bowers is a Penn State legend
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) November 9, 2019
Great play! Sean Clifford to Nick Bowers for the #PennState touchdown! #Aces #WeAre
— Rich Turner 7️⃣9️⃣ (@RichTurner79) November 9, 2019
After scoring to cut the Minnesota lead to 24-19, the Nittany Lion defense made their lone miscue of the second half. It came when Tariq Castro-Fields was burnt in coverage badly on a 3rd and long. This gave Minnesota 1st and goal and led to a Gopher touchdown. Penn State Twitter was not very pleased with TCF after the play.
Take Tariq Castro Fields out of the damn game and strip his scholarship.
— Mitchell Shutika (@Mitch_porp) November 9, 2019
thanks tariq castro fields, just give minnesota the game.
— Braydon Miller (@BraydonMiller15) November 9, 2019
Tariq Castro fields is the worst cornerback I have seen in a while
— no team speed (@brendanolc) November 9, 2019
If Minnesota wins this game, the game ball should go to Tariq Castro Fields. He’s been the Gophers best player all afternoon.
— Jack Reiter (@JReiter02) November 9, 2019
Tariq Castro-Fields, dude. YOU. CANNOT let that happen
— Papa G (@papa_gardner11) November 9, 2019
Tariq Castro Fields would fit right in on the Eagles secondary
— Corey Dierolf (@coreyd139) November 9, 2019
This was not his only bad play on the day. It was a rough day at the office for Castro-Fields.
Following the Minnesota touchdown to start the 4th quarter, the Nittany Lion offense responded. They quickly worked their way inside the Minnesota 10-yard line, and then offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne had a less than stellar sequence of play calling. After back-to-back run plays with Devyn Ford, Rahne called a QB run and then a fade route on 4th down. It did not work. People, rightfully so, were mad.
FIRE RICKY RAHNE THE DUDE HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE IS DOING!!!! #firerickyrahne
— Dr.Phil (@PhilKrause4) November 9, 2019
Someone get Ricky Rahne a clue
— Matt Madalis (@mjmadalis) November 9, 2019
Franklin needs to call Ricky Rahne into his office on Monday and promptly fire him. Absolutely embarrassing coaching effort with 4 downs inside the 10. Get rid of him. He’s shown time and time again that he is the weakness. #FIRERAHNE
— Hayden Snook (@HaydenSnook) November 9, 2019
Down 12. First and goal and they run two HB dives, a QB draw and a fade route. Ricky Rahne should be left in Minnesota and banned from the state of Pennsylvania for the rest of time.
— Troy Weller (@troyweller) November 9, 2019
Get rid of Ricky Rahne!
— Dawson Boltz (@Dawsonb_3) November 9, 2019
Penn State deserves to lose for throwing a fade on 4th down. Not Ricky Rahne’s best game.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 9, 2019
The Nittany Lions would continue to fight in the 4th quarter. Trailing 31-19, they put together a scoring drive where Brown hit pay dirt for the second time. The defense then forced a three-and-out and a punt. This led to the offense marching inside the Minnesota 10-yard line.
Penn State got the ball back with just under 3 minutes to go and started to march. They reached the Minnesota 2-yard line before an offensive pass interference call on Daniel George made it 2nd and 24 at the 25. Then on 3rd down, Clifford was intercepted in the end zone to end the game. On the play, however, Minnesota should have been called for defensive pass interference as Jahan Dotson was tackled inside the 5-yard line. But, no flag was thrown and the Gophers pulled the upset.
That pass interference call was a disgrace. Penn state got hosed big time
— RMacs (@PhillyHotspur) November 9, 2019
The Offensive Pass Interference call at the end of the #pennstate game was pure BS and changed the outcome of the game.
— Jon Bitto (@jonbitto) November 9, 2019
Thank god pass interference is only called on penn state. Second interception might never have happened. Home field advantage. https://t.co/Tzh2fAFgMu
— Coach Dunc (@Stewey42) November 9, 2019
Penn State fans don’t understand the rules of football. Minnesota isn’t allowed to be called for pass interference duh
— Singlittany Lion (@SinglittanyLion) November 9, 2019
Me thinking the refs would actually call a catchable ball a pass interference during this game #PennState pic.twitter.com/GqwrFM4U3j
— Melissa (@mels452) November 9, 2019
How are you gonna call offensive pass interference there? Massive difference between 3rd and goal at the 2 and 2nd and goal at the 24. Penn State really knows how to let a fan down. #PSUvsMINN
— Kevin Everitt (@kevinpeveritt) November 9, 2019
I had forgotten what it’s like to lose, but it still sucks. Next week Indiana comes to town. I have a feeling they will be facing one very PO’d Nittany Lion squad. Good luck, Hoosiers, you’ll need it.