STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Drew Allar threw for two touchdowns and ran for another TD, and Penn State’s defense held on after a rough first half to lead the No. 8 Nittany Lions past Bowling Green 34-27 on Saturday.

Nick Singleton scored twice, Omari Evans caught a touchdown pass and Sander Sahaydak fired two field goals for the Nittany Lions (2-0), who trailed at halftime after their worst defensive start in years.

The Nittany Lions allowed just two regular-season runs of 24 or more points last year, but couldn’t stop the Falcons early on Saturday. Led by quarterback Connor Bazelak, Bowling Green scored on four of six possessions in the first half to take a 24-20 lead, sending home fans booing the Nittany Lions off the field.

Penn State’s defense looked like a different team in the second half.

He forced three straight points before intercepting Bazelak to end the Falcons’ next two drives in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Penn State took the lead for good when Allar found Singleton up the middle for a 14-yard touchdown midway through the third period.

Singleton scored again on a 41-yard dash with 4:09 left on the clock, giving the Nittany Lions some breathing room.

The Falcons, who finished third in the Mid-American Conference, went straight for the Nittany Lions. Bazelak hit Harold Fannin for a 6-yard touchdown in the first time in 29 games that Penn State has allowed a touchdown on an opponent’s opening possession.

It marked the start of a back-and-forth half that saw the teams trade scores, with Bazelak — who completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards — looking just as good as Allar. Allar was 13 of 20 for 204 yards for the game.

The Nittany Lions took control of the game in the second half, keeping Bazelak and the Falcons out of the end zone.

THE PICKUP

Bowling Green: What a start for the Falcons, who spent much of the first half on the heels of the Nittany Lions. Bazelak was in goal all afternoon and got some nice plays from his receiving corps. The Falcons get a week off, but should feel good about their efforts ahead of another tough game when they visit Texas A&M at Kyle Field on Sept. 21.

Penn State: This was a near disaster. Tom Allen’s defense was out of whack the entire first half and didn’t force its first point until early in the third quarter. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, Bowling Green’s defense was just as susceptible to big plays, and Penn State made the right adjustments to prevent the early mistakes from snowballing.

NEXT

Bowling Green: Travels to Texas A&M on September 21.

Penn State: Next week off, then the team hosts Kent State on September 21.

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