6:48 Third Quarter; Northwestern 13, Penn State 13
The second half kickoff was returned by Penn State to its own 41-yard line. After a six-yard pass and a three-yard rush by Evan Royster, Daryll Clark took the ball himself for a first down. Graham Zug broke a Ricky Weina tackle for six yards. Then, a rush by Royster rush went nowhere as Corey Wootton brought him down for a loss of three. But a Clark pass to Andrew Quarless got the necessary yardage for the first. Then, Clark fired a 27-yard pass, setting up first and goal on the 9-yard line. Clark rushed the ball himself, gaining two yards to the seven-yard line. NOTE: Vince Browne is back in the game after being injured in the first half. Royster could only gain one on the second-down rush, bringing up third and goal from the six. Clark was looking for Powell all the way, but Ricky Weina cut off the route, setting up a 23-yard field goal make by Collin Wagner. Penn State evens up the score 13-13.
The defense made another great stop inside the 10-yard line. Forcing the Nittany Lions to settle for two field goals instead of two touchdowns is hugely important for keeping the Cats in this game. The question is:
Who’s going to be the quarterback for the Cats this half?
Stephen Simmons took the kickoff back to the 25-yard line. And Dan Persa is the quarterback. On first down, he is sacked for a loss of 10 yards as Jared Odrick made the sack. Persa found Zeke Markshausen, but it was only for six yards. On third and 14, Zeke caught the ball for a gain of five, and then thanks to a plea from Markshausen, Penn State was hit with a late hit penalty, giving the Cats new life. Scott Concannon took the rush for five yards, and then took the carry on second down but lost one yard. On third and six, Persa lined up with an empty backfield, and couldn’t do anything, stepping out-of-bounds for a loss of three yards. Demos is out for the punt, and punted the ball to the Penn State 26-yard line, where it was fair caught.
Kafka is riding the stationary bike, trying to come back into the game.
