8:47 Fourth Quarter; Penn State 34, Northwestern 13
Evan Royster continues to slam the ball down Northwestern’s throat, gaining seven yards. Daryll Clark then found Chaz Powell for eight yards to the NU 30. Clark found Derek Moye on a 25-yard hookup. On first and goal from the 5-yard line, Royster ran the ball three yards to the 2-yard line. This time, the NU defense could not hold, as Brandon Beachum ran the ball in for the touchdown. The Penn State extra point is good, and the Nittany Lions are now leading for the first time in the second half, 20-13.
Jeravin Matthews couldn’t handle the kickoff, and he was taken down at the 6-yard line. Dan Persa remains of the field, and he gained some breathing space with a four-yard rush. On second down, Stephen Simmons gained three yards, bringing up a third and three. Persa took the ball himself but could only gain two yards, bringing up fourth down. Stefan Demos punted the ball 38 yards to the Penn State 47.
One play, one touchdown. Daryll Clark found Moye for a 53-yard touchdown reception. That took nine seconds. That was the figurative “nail in the coffin.” The NU defense has done an admirable job this game, but it can’t keep defending short fields after the offense goes three-and-out. I wouldn’t expect to see Kafka in this game, since it is nearly out of reach.
Another fumbled kickoff by Jeravin Matthews. That’s the third one this game. Persa was able to find Scott Concannon on a pass for 20 yards, the longest for Persa this game. the following Persa pass attempt was tipped and was nearly a pick-six, but fortunately it fell to the ground. Persa then found Sidney Stewart for six yards. On third and four, Persa threw the ball in Zeke Markshausen’s vicinity, but it was not even close. Demos is out to punt for the Cats, and he got it to the Penn State 30, where it was fair caught.
All life has been taken out of Ryan Field.
And it only got worse. Royster ran 69 yards on the ensuing rush for a touchdown. With the extra point, the score is now 34-13.
