PISCATAWAY, N.J. | Penn State somehow escaped Rutgers with its most labor-intensive win of the season, a 40-36 victory that required another career game from Kaytron Allen, a fourth-down stop and critical holding penalty and the most Rutgers of fumbles.

The Nittany Lions survived a high-scoring game on the road against the Scarlet Knights, and they'll have one more game to play this season in a bowl.

Penn State won its third straight game Saturday afternoon, clinching bowl eligibility with a 40-36 win over Rutgers on the road. It was a surprisingly high-scoring affair that saw the Nittany Lions fall behind in the fourth quarter, before rallying on both sides of the ball to get the win.

Penn State interim coach Terry Smith was more subdued after this game. 'It's been a good run for me,' he said.

Penn State came through in a back and forth battle at Rutgers, emerging with a 40-36 victory to earn a bowl eligibility. Penn State improved to 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten) and earned itself another game in this unexpected season.

Find single game tickets to the Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights college football Week 14 matchup on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at