Penn State coach James Franklin was right.

“It was one of the nicest and ugliest wins we've ever had,” Franklin told reporters at Camp Randall Stadium after the Nittany Lions' victory. 28-13 win over Wisconsin on Saturday evening.

Once again, Penn State frayed its own nerves early, using a few mistakes and an impromptu special teams play to hand the Badgers virtually 10 points, losing three starters (including quarterback Drew Allar) and running their running backs into walls. But the Nittany Lions have been here before. They won the second consecutive away game in which they was behind at halftimethis time with her arms even more tied behind her back.

So before Penn State hosts Ohio State next week (Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard says he is “stoked”), a look at the Nittany Lions' report card after their third road win of the season.

RELATED: What they said after Penn State's win over Wisconsin

INJURY: A-

Quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula combined to complete 25 of 31 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. A pretty good day in itself. However, when you take into account that Pribula replaced the injured Allar in the second half, who was struggling with a deficit, the performance takes on new meaning. This may have been a repeat of Penn State's 2021 loss at Iowa, with backup Ta'Quan Roberson replacing the injured Sean Clifford. But Pribula sharpened his nerves and found a throwing groove, completing 10 consecutive passes at one point.

Pribula (11 of 13) provided the shooting threat Penn State desperately needed to open up the running game that thrived with him at the helm. Kaytron Allen (11 carries, 86 yards) looked reborn in the second half, Nicholas Singleton made a stunning one-handed touchdown catch and coordinator Andy Kotelnicki delivered another needle drop: Allen's Wildcat touchdown in the second half was a thing of beauty, that is it and executed with punctual perfection. Credit also goes to right tackle Nolan Rucci, who replaced the injured Anthony Donkoh at his former stadium (Rucci transferred from Wisconsin) and played well.

DEFENSE: B+

Yes, the first half was once again a bit of chaos as Wisconsin took a 10-7 halftime lead and scored its only touchdown thanks to a 12-man-on-the-field penalty against Penn State. But the Nittany Lions continued to change defensively at halftime. Safety Jaylen Reed changed the game with a pick-6 in the third quarter (his second significant interception in as many games), and the Nittany Lions allowed just one field goal in the second half.

Wisconsin rushed for 81 yards compared to just 10 in the second half, and coach Luke Fickell pointed out that efficiency in the first half would be a game-changer. The Badgers averaged 2.3 yards per first-down carry, which led to issues on second- and third-down carries. Defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr. made two tackles for loss on the same series, helping to temper Dani Dennis-Sutton's aggression, and safety Zakee Wheatley punctuated the win with a fourth-down stop.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C

Wisconsin punter Atticus Bertrams converted a first down with the strangest break-play punt you've ever seen. Praise him for it. However, Penn State's special teams were otherwise mediocre. Wisconsin had a couple of decent punt returns (one was called back for a penalty), Singleton bobbled a kickoff and punt returner Zion Tracy had a 17-yard return that was called back because his knee went out. Additionally, several of Riley Thompson's punts were low and returnable.

COACHING: A-

Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki built his game plan around Allar, but shrewdly changed course when Pribula took over. He gave Pribula some targeted runs, but also trusted the quarterback to throw. Using tight end Tyler Warren again on Wildcat plays in the red zone was smart and helped set up Pribula's passing touchdown for tight end Khalil Dinkins. And that Allen had perfect timing and execution on the Wildcat, resulting in a 24-yard score. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen must be a real locker room expert at halftime because his team takes on a new personality in the second half.

OVERALL: A-

Franklin called this a “bold culture victory” for Penn State, and it was. The obstacles against the Nittany Lions kept piling up until Reed turned them into opportunities with his interception. And now Penn State, which has three notable road wins this season, returns home for the first time in a month for a statement chance against Ohio State.

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