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Allar's 4 total TDs lead No. 10 Penn State over Kent State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) —

Drew Allar threw three touchdown passes and scored a touchdown, and No. 10 Penn State beat Kent State 56-0 on Saturday.

Tyler Warren, Nick Singleton, Liam Clifford, Omari Evans and Khalil Dinkins caught touchdown passes as the Nittany Lions (3-0) defeated Kent State 718-67, limiting the Golden Flashes to six first downs and forcing 10 punts.

Penn State's total yards broke a program record that stood since 1926, when the Nittany Lions scored 707 against Susquehanna.

The Nittany Lions started slow, suffering a turnover on their first drive, but were able to score on six of their next seven possessions and quickly pull away in the final non-conference game between both teams.

It was an even worse start for Kent State.

After a 71-0 loss to No. 7 Tennessee a week ago, the Golden Flashes lost their two best quarterbacks before the middle of the first half due to apparently serious injuries.

Starter Devin Kargman had to be carried off the field on a stretcher after being sacked from behind by Dani Dennis-Sutton on the second play of the game. Kargman first went to his knees and grabbed his right thigh while doubled over in pain.

Substitute JD Sherrod was carried off the field after suffering an apparent non-contact ankle injury early in the second quarter. Tommy Ulatowski took over as quarterback and finished the game 0-for-6.

By this point, Penn State had already shaken off any rust that might have accumulated during the week off.

After Beau Pribula was intercepted to end Penn State's first possession, Allar took the reins again and led Penn State's offense down the field in stride, finding Warren from 16 yards out to make it 7-0 late in the first quarter.

Warren threw a touchdown of his own, this time a quick throw to Singleton, who ran in unchallenged and scored a 17-yard touchdown that made it 14-0 with 5:49 minutes left in the first half.

Allar found a completely free Clifford for a 14-yard touchdown pass on Penn State's next possession, then capped a 44-second possession with a 5-yard touchdown run that made it 28-0 at halftime. He turned the offense over to Pribula after extending the lead to 35-0 with a 59-yard run to Evans early in the third quarter.

Allar completed 17 of 21 passes for 309 yards.

Pribula played quarterback for Penn State for most of the second half. He paired up with Dinkins at center late in the third quarter and then directed two more scoring drives. Cam Wallace capped the first with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Pribula scored another short touchdown in the final two minutes.

THE RESULT

Kent State: The Golden Flashes started much better than last week, when they allowed Tennessee 37 points in the first quarter. They were able to hold Penn State to seven points in that game, but had little chance with Kargman and Sherrod out. They already lost their starting running back Gavin Garcia to an offseason injury and may now have to start the MAC season with their third quarterback.

Penn State: The Nittany Lions have a habit of starting slow, but once Allar gets into his groove behind star tailbacks Singleton and Kaytron Allen, Andy Kotelnicki's offense will be very difficult to defend. Not only can Allar make all the throws, he's also handled most of his receivers well so far. Warren has long been a star, but the emergence of Evans as a deep threat could add a new dimension to this group.

Next

Kent State: Hosts Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Penn State: Hosts No. 24 Illinois on Saturday.

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By Vanessa

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