Penn State Edges Washington 28-25 as Rocco Becht and Carson Hansen Lead Way

The Penn State Nittany Lions secured a win against Washington on November 7, 2026, though the victory was defined by a stark contrast between a dominant first half and a disjointed second.

As reported by Black Shoe Diaries, the game saw the Nittany Lions build a 22-point halftime lead, only to rely on late-game clock management to survive a second-half resurgence from the Huskies.

Rocco Becht’s performance encapsulated the team’s volatility. While he threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns, his efficiency waned significantly after the break. Black Shoe Diaries noted that while Becht added mobility to the offense, the second half exposed “tipped passes and shaky decision-making” that allowed Washington to remain in contention.

The ground game provided the necessary stability to weather the Huskies’ pressure. Carson Hansen, who had previously faced criticism, delivered his first 100-yard game as a Nittany Lion, averaging 8.5 yards per carry and finding the end zone. A 36-yard run from Hansen in the fourth quarter, with the lead narrowed to 28-25, proved to be the decisive sequence that allowed Penn State to drain the clock.

The receiving corps saw a notable return to form. Chase Sowell, back in the starting lineup, recorded 125 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a one-handed catch. Zay Robinson also contributed a touchdown reception to help establish the initial cushion. While tight end Andrew Rappleyea struggled with a drop in the red zone, Ben Brahmer provided a reliable outlet, leading the group with 36 yards on four catches.

Penn State Edges Washington 28-25 as Rocco Becht and Carson Hansen Lead Way

Defensively, the game was a tale of two halves. Yvan Kemajou and Ty Blanding spearheaded a front seven that limited Washington’s quarterback Demond Williams in the first half. However, the lack of consistent pressure in the second half allowed Williams to find rhythm. Tony Rojas and Kooper Ebel led the defensive effort with eight tackles each, though both recorded missed opportunities that resulted in positive gains for the Huskies.

The secondary, however, remained a strength. Audavion Collins, Daryus Dixson, and Ibn McDaniels limited Washington to 172 total passing yards. McDaniels provided a crucial turnover, intercepting a pass that halted a Washington drive when the score was 28-17. On special teams, Nathan Tiyce’s punting pinned the Huskies deep, though kickoff coverage showed room for improvement.

Metric	First Half Performance	Second Half Performance
Offensive Adjustments	Effective	Stagnant
Defensive Pressure	Consistent	Lacking
Scoreboard Impact	22-point lead	Narrowed gap

The game also drew scrutiny toward the broadcast booth. Black Shoe Diaries highlighted a lack of situational awareness from the announcing crew, who failed to recognize that a late 4th-and-1 conversion effectively ended the game because Washington had exhausted its timeouts. The commentators continued to speculate on play-calling rather than acknowledging that the Nittany Lions could simply kneel to secure the win.

Ultimately, the staff and team earned a split grade for the afternoon. While the first half warranted an ‘A’ or ‘A+’ for execution, the lack of second-half adjustments resulted in a ‘C’ overall. The victory moves the team forward, but the inconsistency remains a focal point for the coaching staff as the season progresses.