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College Football Week One Takeaways: Hurricanes fizzle out

By Eric Robinson

DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after intercepting a pass in overtime to clinch the win against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after intercepting a pass in overtime to clinch the win against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Penn State Dodges An Upset

It almost happened on the 11-year anniversary of the greatest upset in college football history.

The 10th ranked Penn State Nittany Lions needed overtime to put away scrappy Appalachian State 45-38. Eleven years ago, that same Appalachian State went into Ann Arbor, Michigan and defeated a top-five ranked Michigan Wolverine squad.

Those same vibes were present for four quarters on Saturday.

STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after rushing for a 12 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after rushing for a 12 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Momentum swung in the favor of Penn State however when a seven-play drive late in the fourth quarter ended with a Trace McSorley touchdown pass with 42 seconds remaining to tie the game at 38 and send it into overtime.

McSorley’s clutch nature was on display on that final drive for a quarterback that has been quietly clutch for most of his career. Much credit should be given to Appalachian State head coach Scott Satterfield and his team.

This was not your normal inferior opponent that teams usually schedule to open the season. Credit should also be given to the Nittany Lions for withstanding a furious fight and making key plays to get the win without Saquon Barkley.

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