Penn State Defeats Washington 28-25 to Secure First Big Ten Road Win

“He’s got his confidence back,” quarterback Rocco Becht said following Penn State’s 28-25 victory over the Washington Huskies in Seattle on Saturday, Nov. 7.

The win marks the Nittany Lions’ first Big Ten road victory of the season, a hard-fought result achieved at Husky Stadium after a season defined by struggles on the ground. According to reporting from the York Daily Record, Penn State managed to secure the win by running out the final 7:40 of the game clock, effectively neutralizing a late Washington comeback attempt.

For much of the 2026 campaign, Penn State’s offense lacked the ability to establish a consistent rushing attack, a deficiency that contributed to narrow, difficult losses against Wisconsin, USC, and Michigan. However, a rejuvenated ground game led by tailbacks Cam Wallace and Carson Hansen has fundamentally altered that trajectory.

Carson Hansen anchors the rushing attack

While sophomore Cam Wallace provided early momentum with a 46-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, it was senior Carson Hansen who emerged as the decisive force. Hansen, a transfer who joined head coach Matt Campbell’s squad, recorded 119 rushing yards on just 14 carries, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt. This performance marked his first 100-yard game at Penn State.

Penn State starts strong at Washington, survives and heads home with its first Big Ten win streak under Matt Campbell. The rushing attack's impact has been a major difference since 0-4 conference open.

— https://x.com/TDsTake/status/2119218930161959083

Hansen’s impact was felt most acutely during the game’s closing stages. As Onward State reported, the Huskies had gained significant momentum to bring the score within three points, but Hansen broke free for a 36-yard run down the left side. This play served as a critical momentum shifter, setting the stage for Penn State to run 14 plays and burn the remaining clock.

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The efficiency of the running game appears to be a direct result of tactical adjustments made during the team’s bye week. Coach Matt Campbell noted that the coaching staff implemented schematic changes designed to better pair the offensive line with Hansen’s specific strengths.

“Once we said, ‘Man, let’s [get] something, let’s get a foundation for these backs to get north and south and let this offensive line have some confidence in what they’re doing,’ I think that really helped us,” Campbell said. “When you do that as the running back, Carson’s always been a player. The more he goes in the game, the better he gets.”

Hansen himself credited the offensive line for the late-game success, noting that their ability to create holes allowed him to execute his role effectively. He also emphasized a newfound patience in his running style, suggesting that earlier in the season, the backs were often rushing through lines of scrimmage before blocks could develop.

A shift in offensive identity

The statistical output from the backfield highlights a significant departure from the team’s earlier struggles. The dual-threat capability of Wallace and Hansen has provided quarterback Rocco Becht with more breathing room in the passing game, allowing the offense to maintain a lead earlier in contests.

Player	Rushing Yards	Key Contribution
Carson Hansen	119	36-yard late-game run; 1 touchdown
Cam Wallace	135 (prev. week)	46-yard touchdown run

Despite the victory, the narrow margin of the win underscores the ongoing volatility of the Nittany Lions’ defense and special teams. The Huskies’ ability to erase a 28-6 deficit demonstrates that while the ground game has stabilized, Penn State remains vulnerable to high-momentum opponents in hostile environments.

Carson Hansen Spins into the End Zone vs Washington | Penn State Football

For the players, the win is seen as a validation of recent work rather than a final destination. Senior receiver Chase Sowell, who played alongside Hansen at Iowa State, observed that the running back has moved past a “robotic” approach to a more fluid, natural style of play. Hansen echoed this sentiment, stating that the team must remain focused on practice and continuous improvement, noting that “these moments are fleeting.”

The Nittany Lions will look to carry this momentum into their next conference matchup as they attempt to solidify their standing in the Big Ten standings.