A former Badger was on the middle of Penn State’s 28-13 win over Wisconsin on Saturday night time.
It was not essentially Penn State OT Nolan Rucci, who transferred over from Wisconsin after the 2023 season. He noticed restricted motion at proper deal with within the Nittany Lions win and was removed from the sport’s deciding drive.
The massive motive that Penn State improved to 7-0 with the win over Wisconsin: Nittany Lions quarterbacks coach and former Badgers quarterback Danny O’Brien.
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O’Brien captains the Penn State quarterback room, which was arguably the most important contributing issue to Saturday’s outcome.
Penn State star QB Drew Allar and backup Beau Pribula, every who performed precisely one half, mixed to go 25 of 31 passing (80% completion) for 246 yards, two touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The 2 additionally added 36 speeding yards on 10 whole carries.
Allar’s damage within the closing moments earlier than halftime appeared to tip the matchup additional towards the Badgers’ sideline. As a substitute, Pribula was terrific in aid. He led the Nittany Lions on two vital late-game scoring drives to seal the victory.
O’Brien’s work with the room deserves credit score. Not many prime applications don’t miss a beat, not to mention enhance, when their starter goes down with an damage.
The rising coach performed for the Badgers again in 2012. He transferred in after two years at Maryland, and really entered that season as Wisconsin’s starter. Former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema wound shifting to Joel Stave early within the season after O’Brien struggled with turnovers. Stave later suffered an damage, although O’Brien remained on the sideline to backup to Curt Phillips.
O’Brien performed solely seven whole video games for Wisconsin in 2012, finishing 52 of 86 passes for 523 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
He just lately entered the teaching ranks following an abbreviated skilled profession, principally within the CFL (2014-19).
The previous Badger signal-caller joined the Penn State workers as an offensive analyst in 2021. He was just lately elevated to this system’s quarterbacks coach coming into the 2024 season after the crew employed new OC Andy Kotelnicki.
His work with Allar and Pribula can’t be ignored as Penn State inches nearer to a attainable journey to the Massive Ten title sport, and the expanded Faculty Soccer Playoff.
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