End of Fourth Quarter; Penn State 34, Northwestern 13
Stephen Simmons was actually able to handle a kickoff, and got to the 26-yard line. Dan Persa completed the pass to Andrew Brewer for a gain of 14 yards. Persa then found Sidney Stewart for nine yards. Scott Concannon rushed the ball for the first down. Persa couldn’t find anyone on the first down, and then on second down, Persa was sacked for a loss of nine. On third and 19, somehow, Persa ran the ball for a first down. But, then, back to reality as Persa threw the ball away as he was dragged down in the backfield. After picking up six yards, Schmidt could only pick up one yard. clearly in four-down territory, the Cats opted to go for it, and, fittingly, Persa passed the ball to Drake Dunsmore, but it was too short for the first down.
A turnover on downs, and all the air has been sucked out of Ryan Field.
Looks like Joe Paterno isn’t content with the win. On first down, Clark aired the ball out to test Ricky Weina, but fortunately for the Cats, he threw the ball a little too short. Royster then took the conventional run for two yards. A third down screen was dropped, bringing up fourth down. Brewer couldn’t take the return too far (eight yards), as he got the ball to the NU 46-yard line.
Persa completed a pass to Arby Fields for four yards. A few missed passes, before Persa hit Demetrius Fields for seven yards, and then Arby Fields ran for five yards and a first down. It looked like Persa had a big play, but a hard hit on Kevin Frymire rendered the pass incomplete. A completed pass in addition to a roughing the passer puts the Cats on the 6-yard line. Persa then gets sacked and fumbles the ball, recovered by Penn State.
Brandon Beachum gained 16 yards on his first rush of the drive. Kevin Newsome then ran the ball for seven yards. Beachum picked up the first down with a five-yard rush.
That’s the game. Not a pretty second half. Stay tuned for post-game coverage and analysis.
