Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and kicker Ryan Barker received weekly awards Monday from the Big Ten for their performances in a 33-30 overtime win over USC.
Warren was named the conference’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week after making 17 catches for 224 yards and one touchdown against the Trojans.
With his 17 receptions, he set a school record and tied the FBS tight end record set by New Mexico’s Emilio Vallez in 1967 and matched by Northwestern’s Jon Harvey in 1982.
Warren set school and Big Ten records for a tight end with his 224 receiving yards, which are the second-most by any Penn State player. Wide receiver Jahan Dotson had 242 receiving yards against Maryland in 2021.
Warren is a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation’s top scholar-athlete in college football. He’s also on the watch list for the Mackey Award, presented to the nation’s top tight end.
Barker, a redshirt freshman from Kennett High School in Chester County, was selected the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
He made all four of his field goal attempts against USC, including a game-winning 36-yarder in overtime. It was Penn State’s first game-ending field goal since Sam Ficken hit a 36-yarder against UCF in 2014 in Ireland.
Barker also made kicks of 34, 33 and 20 yards against the Trojans and was perfect on three PATs.
Trick play honored: Warren’s touchdown catch in the third quarter against USC was selected Monday as the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America.
Now in its second season, the award celebrates incredible athleticism, awe-inspiring strategy and jaw-dropping moments from across the college football landscape. To celebrate the honor, each winning team receives a care package of Pop-Tarts toaster pastries.
The play came on a first down from the USC 32 early in the third quarter. Penn State put backup quarterback Beau Pribula behind center, shifted into an unbalanced line with Warren over the football and starting quarterback Drew Allar flanked to the left.
Warren snapped the ball to Pribula, who threw a lateral to Allar. Warren ran a route down the middle of the field and hauled in Allar’s pass in the end zone to bring the Nittany Lions within 20-13.
Wisconsin game set: Penn State’s Oct. 26 game at Wisconsin has been scheduled for prime time, it was announced Monday.
The Nittany Lions’ first game at Camp Randall Stadium since 2021 will have a 7:30 p.m. kickoff and will be televised by NBC.
No. 3 Penn State (3-0 Big Ten, 6-0) has a bye this week.
