STATE COLLEGE | No. 8 Penn State looked shockingly rusty on defense in the first half of its home opener Saturday, giving up 24 points to Bowling Green, including a streak-ending touchdown. The Nittany Lions’ offense, however, managed to keep the game in its sights with four scoring drives. The Nittany Lions trailed Bowling Green 24-20 at halftime.

Observations from the first half of Penn State-Bowling Green at Beaver Stadium:

A shaky defensive start

In 2023, Penn State didn’t allow more than 20 points in the first half or more than 24 in a regular-season game. But Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler attacked what he called a “lights out” secondary, which gave quarterback Connor Bazelak a throwing-heavy game plan. The former Indiana and Missouri quarterback completed 16 of 20 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns in a stunning half.

Bowling Green combined finesse and physical play in the first half. To be fair, the Falcons’ offense looked stronger than the Penn State defense, which missed tackles or was dragged for extra yardage. Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has been a tough opponent for Penn State, catching seven passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. He has 56 of those yards after contact. In fact, Bowling Green has collected 89 of its 192 passing yards after contact.

Despite not having running back Terion Stewart in the lineup, Bowling Green has also run effectively and with power. Backs Jamal Johnson and Jaison Patterson combined for 92 yards in the first half, with Johnson setting the Lions up with a 41-yard run.

Penn State’s only defensive highlight game came when defensive end Abdul Carter got a free release on fourth down to break up a pass. Otherwise, Bowling Green scored on four of its five first-half possessions (despite his knee being out at halftime).

A Penn State defensive streak ends

Penn State had not allowed an opponent to score on its opening drive in 28 games, since a loss to Michigan State in 2021. Bowling Green ended the nation’s longest streak abruptly with a 75-yard s-xplay touchdown drive that started with a 30-yard completion from Bazelak to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Bazelak went 4 of 5 games in the series, finishing with a 6-yard scoring pass to Fannin.

Penn State’s offense keeps it a contest

The Nittany Lions scored on four of their five possessions in the first half, but had to settle for a pair of field goals in the second half. Penn State continued its big offensive personality, recording nine explosive plays in the first half. That included quarterback Drew Allar’s 29-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Omari Evans, who had dropped a third-down conversion on the previous drive.

Penn State, however, was able to pull away from the pass after that touchdown toss. The Nittany Lions attempted just two passes on their final two possessions of the half. One was broken up, the other went for 30 yards to tight end Tyler Warren. Bowling Green’s defense stopped Penn State twice on third downs to force field goals.

Penn State kicker Sander Sahaydak scored both goals and notched his first field goal since 2022.

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Penn State on SI is your home for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com Network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, overseeing three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on X (or Twitter) @MarkWogenrich.