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Penn State's Tyler Warren makes trick TD play against USC

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No. 5 Penn State needed a jolt after trailing by two touchdowns at halftime on the road against USC. So Nittany Lions coach James Franklin and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki chose perhaps the most creative touchdown play of Week 7 during Saturday's college football action.

Penn State got on the field first in the second half when tight end Tyler Warren made a 32-yard grab into the end zone on the first possession of the third quarter. However, upon closer inspection of the formation, the sequence was even better as Warren had also snapped the ball in play.

Warren, who is one of the top-rated NFL draft prospects in the country at tight end this season, actually stood on the left edge of the Penn State front, much like he normally would as a tight end. Pre-snap shifts aside, Warren had the ball under him like a center and sent it to backup quarterback and York native Beau Pribula.

Pribula then threw the ball backwards toward the sideline as if throwing a wide receiver screen behind the line of scrimmage. But behind two widely spaced wide outs stood Penn State starting quarterback Drew Allar, who caught Pribula's pass.

PENN STATE FOOTBALL vs. USC: : Live score updates, week 7 game highlights

As this continued, Warren launched into a downfield sprint and Allar threw the ball in the air for a trick touchdown that was well-planned and well-timed given the circumstances.

The momentum seemed to change from there as Penn State went on a 90-yard touchdown drive to tie the score at 20 late in the third quarter. Warren, meanwhile, had an incredible performance at USC. He already has 12 catches for 172 yards and counting, otherwise the hole against the Nittany Lions could have been worse.

Follow USA TODAY Network sports reporter Mark Giannotto on social media @mgiannotto and email him at [email protected].

By Vanessa

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