STATE COLLEGE — Christian Veilleux used the biggest opportunity of his young college career to make up for a lost time on Saturday.

Penn State’s freshman quarterback, who was out of football a year ago when his high school canceled the season due to the coronavirus pandemic, stepped in for an ailing Sean Clifford and shook off the rust.

Veilleux sparked what had been a lifeless Penn State offense with three touchdowns in a 28-0 win over Rutgers on Saturday.

Veilleux was not available for comment after the game as Penn State does not allow freshmen to speak to reporters.

“We faced as much adversity in this game as I’ve been around,” Penn State coach James Franklin said.

Jahan Dotson, Parker Washington and Malick Meiga caught touchdown passes and Keyvone Lee ran for a score for the Nittany Lions who snapped a two-game skid at Beaver Stadium.

The Nittany Lions (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) did so with 35 players battling flu-like symptoms through the week and up to kickoff. Clifford, who left the game midway through the first quarter, was among them.