MINNEAPOLIS – Penn State’s punt team had been waiting since the dog days of August to use the play that helped seal a 26-25 win over Minnesota Saturday.
The Nittany Lions finally got the opportunity on a cold November evening at Huntington Bank Stadium.
On fourth-and-1, freshman tight end Luke Reynolds took a direct snap from Tyler Duzansky and lumbered 32 yards to the Golden Gophers’ 34 behind blocks by Dominic Rulli and Cooper Cousins.
Penn State converted two more fourth downs and ran out the clock.
“We’ve called it multiple times and had to get out of it because we didn’t get the right look,” said linebacker Dominic DeLuca, a member of the punt team. “I was thinking, ‘Wow, we’re about to do this.’ I’m happy we got the right look and executed.”
Lions coach James Franklin credited Rulli, who calls the signals on punts and has the responsibility of deciding whether to keep the call on or off depending on how the opponents line up.
“When we ran our punt team on the field, they ran their punt return team on so I thought we had a chance,” Franklin said. “Their look allowed us to run it. That was a huge play for Luke Reynolds. It was blocked extremely well. That’s been cooking and marinating for a while.
“I just felt we needed to try to end the game on our terms with the ball in our hands.”
Penn State center Nick Dawkins said Reynolds blamed himself for Minnesota’s blocked punt, which led to a touchdown in the second quarter.
“He got in the locker room and refocused his mind, which was very veteran-like and very mature, especially for a true freshman,” Dawkins said. “I was very impressed with that. He said, ‘I’m going to make a play. I’m going to get it back.’ And that’s exactly what he did.”
Penn State senior tight end Tyler Warren said he was thrilled for Reynolds, who as a true freshman has not been available for interviews.
“I knew they had it going in and saw they kept it on,” Warren said. “It was just a great play by Luke. He’s capable of making plays like that. That was just the first one of many for him in his Penn State career.”
DeLuca’s pick: DeLuca made the third interception of his career in the second quarter, returning it 29 yards to set up Ryan Barker’s 45-yard field goal.
“It was play action and I turned and found the receiver,” DeLuca said. “I was able to flip my hips around. Amin Vanover was able to affect the pass. I was able to make the play and get a nice return. It brought me back to my high school days (at Wyoming Area) running the ball.
“I’ve told them if you need me at running back, I’m there.”
DeLuca had suffered a broken hand or wrist earlier this season, missed a game and wore a protective club on it until last week at Purdue. He had three tackles Saturday, including an assist in the backfield.
“I will say it’s so much easier to catch the ball now,” he said.
Injury report: Penn State right tackle Anthony Donkoh suffered an injury to his right knee on the second play of the game and did not return.
Donkoh was blocking a Minnesota defensive lineman in pass protection and fell backwards. He was in street clothes and on crutches in the second half.
Nolan Rucci, the former Warwick star, replaced him and played the rest of the way.
Cornerback Elliot Washington II, who leads Penn State with five pass breakups, did not play after being listed as out on the Big Ten availability report.
Washington, a sophomore from Venice, Fla., suffered a leg injury in the first half last week against Purdue and did not return. He has seen increased playing time as the season has gone on.
In addition, wide receiver Julian Fleming was listed as questionable on the availability report and did not play.
