With Drew Allar out, Penn State's Beau Pribula responds with a dramatic win over Wisconsin

MADISON, Wisc. – After Penn State defeated Illinois by two touchdowns in late September, it was clear that James Franklin's team was talented enough to seriously compete for the Big Ten title.

We now know that the unbeaten power supply is also robust enough.

The Lions, who beat Wisconsin 28-13 at Camp Randall on Saturday night, will face 6-1 Ohio State next Saturday at Beaver Stadium with a record of 7-0.

Trailing 10-7 midway through the third quarter and missing starting quarterback Drew Allar and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State took control of a physical battle with Wisconsin.

Allar and Dennis-Sutton both suffered injuries towards the end of the first half. Allar apparently suffered a leg injury and Dennis-Sutton appeared to have a midsection injury.

Allar didn't play in the second half and Dennis-Sutton's night was over after a snap in the third quarter.

It didn't matter.

Backup quarterback Beau Pribula did a brilliant job replacing Allar.

And senior safety Jaylen Reed, a strength for Penn State all season, gave the Lions the lead to stay with a 19-yard interception return with 6:29 left in the third quarter.

Reed, patrolling the middle of the field, grabbed a missed throw from Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke and ran into the end zone.

Ryan Barker's point-after made it 14-10.

PSU's defense allowed a field goal the rest of the way, and Pribula led the Lions with two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, tormenting a solid Wisconsin offense with his arms and legs.

The dual-threat quarterback finished 11 of 13 for 98 yards and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Khalil Dinkins with 10:01 left.

The Dinkins touchdown capped a 13-play, 81-yard march.

PSU's defense forced a three-pointer and Pribula went back to work with help from running back Kaytron Allen and wideout Liam Clifford.

The decisive touchdown drive lasted nine plays and covered 76 yards. Pribula connected with Clifford for a 23-yard completion to the Wisconsin 42, and four consecutive Penn State runs led to the Lions' fourth touchdown, a 24-yard Allen run from the left side with 3:10 to play. He was barely touched.

Franklin didn't comment much on Allar's condition afterward, saying only that Allar told him he couldn't play in the second half.

But Franklin had a lot to say about Pribula, who also added 28 rushing yards.

“I have a lot of confidence in Beau, he’s a character kid,” Franklin said.

“I’m not surprised one bit,” Franklin added, speaking about Pribula’s performance.

“Complete depth at every position is really important.”

Before leaving the game, Allar completed 14 of 18 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, a six-yard scoring throw to running back Nicholas Singleton with 14:37 left in the first half.

Reed and the Lions' defense held the Badgers to just 81 rushing yards on 27 carries. Fullback Tawee Walker carried the ball 22 times for just 59 yards.

An undermanned PSU team found a way to get past Wisconsin on Saturday night in Madison.

In the game before, the Lions rallied from two touchdowns at halftime to slip past USC in Los Angeles in overtime.

Signature wins. Season-defining victories. Road wins at West Virginia, USC and now Wisconsin. These lions are dangerous, with or without Allar.