LOS ANGELES — For a time, it seemed like Penn State was destined to repeat its past struggles.

Penn State has consistently been a strong team with winning seasons, yet they have often faltered in significant games. When facing high-pressure situations, the Nittany Lions frequently fell short, landing them in the second tier of college football.

In their first Big Ten game out West against Southern California, it appeared that the same narrative would unfold as they found themselves down by double digits at halftime.

However, instead of giving in, Penn State demonstrated resilience, fighting back to secure a thrilling 33-30 win in overtime, signaling their intentions to potentially be the program’s first team to make it to the College Football Playoff.

“We managed to secure a tough win on the road,” stated Nittany Lions coach James Franklin. “There’s still so much we can improve on, but we’re 1-0, and that translates to 6-0, and I’m excited to take this win and head to the airport.”

The difficult start on Saturday likely brought back painful memories for Nittany Lions supporters, who understand how previous losses have dramatically altered the course of the season.

Prior to this game, Penn State had surrendered an average of just 76.2 rushing yards per game. However, USC came remarkably close to that on one play, as running back Quinten Joyner executed a fake reverse and sprinted 75 yards for a touchdown, giving the Trojans an early advantage. The remainder of the first half was dominated by USC, with the Nittany Lions defense struggling, leading to a 20-6 score at halftime.

Whatever James Franklin communicated during halftime dramatically changed the game’s momentum. The offense accelerated, scoring touchdowns on its first two drives while the defense revived its strong form, leveling the score at 20 in the third quarter. Even after Drew Allar threw an interception that allowed USC to regain the lead, the Nittany Lions answered back every time.

Trailing by a touchdown in the closing minutes, Allar made crucial throws on two fourth downs, ultimately connecting with Nick Singleton for a touchdown that sent the game into overtime. In the extra period, Penn State’s defense held firm, while USC kicker Michael Lantz missed a 45-yard attempt, paving the way for Nittany Lions kicker Ryan Barker to kick a 36-yarder for the win.

Allar’s first-half performance was lackluster, but Franklin praised his quarterback’s composure for not letting the challenges affect his game. He ended the day with a career-high 391 passing yards, marking his third game of the season with over 300 yards, alongside two touchdowns and three interceptions.

“It wasn’t a perfect day for (Allar), but he persevered, moved past the mistakes, and that’s the mentality we need in college football,” Franklin remarked.

The victory on Saturday relied heavily on the outstanding performance of tight end Tyler Warren, who is now being considered one of the best tight ends in the nation. He made significant contributions, especially with 50 yards gained on the opening drive.

Warren made history by recording 17 receptions, tying the FBS tight end record, and amassing 224 receiving yards, including an impressive touchdown catch that ignited the second-half resurgence.

“I’ve been advocating for him as the best tight end in college football, but honestly, now he’s in the conversation as one of the best players overall in college football,” Franklin noted.

Warren remains humble, crediting his teammates for the victory while expressing pride in how everyone fought hard after digging themselves into a tough spot.

“This was an incredible win. To come into such a challenging venue against a formidable team was a true grind, and I couldn’t be prouder of the effort we displayed,” Warren said. “We really came together and fought back from being behind.”

Not only did this victory against USC help to dispel the narrative of faltering under pressure, but it also represented a crucial milestone toward Penn State earning one of the 12 playoff spots in the newly expanded format. If the current playoff structure had been in place since its inception in 2014, the Nittany Lions could have qualified for six playoffs, leaving them longing for this expanded chance. Now, that opportunity is within reach.

Looking ahead, there’s an exciting home game on the horizon against Ohio State in three weeks. While Nittany Lions fans hope to end a seven-game losing streak against the Buckeyes, a single loss is no longer devastating. This includes the possibility of missing out on the Big Ten title game once again.

If Penn State continues to perform as they have shown they can, the future looks bright.

If Penn State finishes the season with an 11-1 record, even without securing the Big Ten championship, it’s highly likely they’ll be included in the bracket reveal this December. Furthermore, they have a strong possibility of hosting a game, forcing an opposing team to come into the cold of Pennsylvania, where over 106,000 fans will be cheering against them.

Although there’s still much left in the season, as they reach the midpoint and prepare for their bye week, Penn State finds itself in one of its strongest positions in recent memory.

“It’s going to make for a great ride home,” Franklin noted.