Penn State Football: 3 takeaways from victory over Nebraska in Week 12

Penn State football hosted Nebraska in Week 12 and picked up another big win to improve to 9-2 on the year. Here’s what we learned.

Man, oh man. How are Nittany Lions fans feeling after that win? Penn State took a 42-10 lead at the half, but the Nittany Lions allowed Nebraska to sneak back into it as the Cornhuskers scored 34 second-half points to lose 56-44.

Obviously that wasn’t the prettiest finish to the game, but Penn State has to rest easy realizing that no wins in the Big Ten come easy. Beating Nebraska at home will go down in the ‘W’ column with no asterisk next to it.

Things weren’t pretty, but is this a troubling trend for Penn State? James Franklin might be worried about some areas of his team after allowing 399 passing yards and 34 second-half points.

Here’s what we learned from Penn State’s big victory over Nebraska in Week 12.

3. Feeding Barkley clearly works

For weeks now, fans have complained about the lack of a workload for Saquon Barkley. Who knows if James Franklin and the coaching staff have paid attention, but they gave him a decent, but not great, workload on Saturday night against Nebraska.

Barkley carried the rock 17 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns. He also had six receptions for 66 yards. He touched the ball just 23 times yet found a way to reach the end zone three times and record over 210 total yards.

The junior running back may have just played his last game in Happy Valley as the Nittany Lions will travel to Maryland to face the Terrapins next week, and he definitely went out on a high note. Although his team seemingly crumbed defensively in the second half, he remained consistent throughout.

Franklin needs to keep feeding the junior back if he wants to reach the 10-win mark this season. While that’s almost a guarantee with a reeling Terrapin team up next and the subsequent bowl appearance, Barkley’s workload must remain heavy.