Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley (6) celebrates after recovering a fumble by Nevada running back Herschel Turner (2) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

STATE COLLEGE (AP) — Nicholas Singleton ran for two touchdowns, Penn State forced three turnovers and the No. 2 Nittany Lions pulled away to beat Nevada 46-11 on Saturday in the opener for both teams.

Singleton capped Penn State’s opening possession with a 1-yard run then scored on another short plunge early in the third quarter. Kayton Allen cut around the defense for a 13-yard score in the second.

Nevada had already self-destructed by then.

Penn State cornerback AJ Harris recovered Ky Woods’ fumble to spoil the Wolf Pack’s opening drive. Their next possession ended when defensive tackle Zane Durant intercepted Chubba Purdy’s pass deep in his own end.

“You see a ton of sloppy football early in the season,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “I didn’t see any of that. We didn’t have stupid penalties. We didn’t put the ball on the ground. We didn’t turn it over. We didn’t burn timeouts. That was big.”

Ryan Barker kicked four field goals for the Nittany Lions, who led 27-3 at halftime after Kyron Hudson hauled in a 31-yard touchdown pass from Drew Allar with 23 seconds left in the second quarter.

Hudson caught six passes for 89 yards, and Trebor Peña added seven for 74.

Penn State outgained Nevada 436-203 and held the Wolf Pack to 78 rushing yards. Fifty of Nevada’s yards came on its final possession.

Joe McFadden kicked a 28-yard field goal for Nevada, but the offense only managed two more trips into the red zone. Purdy misfired over the middle on fourth down with 14:47 to play, but backup AJ Bianco connected with Marcus Bellon for a 9-yard score with 25 seconds left.

Dominant end

Nevada coach Jeff Choate knew Dani Dennis-Sutton would be a handful.

The Penn State defensive end lived up to the hype. He forced both Nevada fumbles, added a sack and broke up a pass.

“That No. 33 is as advertised,” Choate said.