Barkley Run Leads Nittany Lions over Gophers

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State standout Saquon Barkley was held in check during regulation in Penn State’s home game with Minnesota on a rainy Saturday in Beaver Stadium. But he brought the Nittany Lions to a come-from-behind 29-26 overtime win with a 25-yard burst into the end zone on Penn State’s first play after the Gophers had gone ahead 26-23 on their initial OT possession.

Barkley’s score ended a back-and-forth contest that moved Penn State to 3-2 on the year, 1-1 in the Big Ten; Minnesota dropped to 3-1 overall with a 0-1 Big Ten slate.

Barkley’s fellow sophomore Trace McSorley kept Penn State alive with a 19 for 40 passing day resulting in 335 yards and one passing touchdown. He also ran for another 73 yards and one score. His late fourth quarter run set up what proved to be a tying 40-yard field goal from Tyler Davis with two seconds left, putting the score at 20-20 and sending the contest into overtime.

McSorley came alive in the game’s third quarter, throwing for 156 yards, including an 80-yard strike to Irvin Charles, the first collegiate reception for the redshirt freshman. Penn State had trailed 13-3 at halftime as Barkley was limited by the Minnesota defense until the game went into overtime and he burst through the line for the game-winner.

Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium next Saturday, a noontime Homecoming contest with rival Maryland. The Terps moved to 4-0 on the year, 1-0 in the Big Ten, winning their conference opener by a 50-7 score over Purdue on Saturday. The Nittany Lions have a bye week Oct. 15 before a third straight Big Ten home game Saturday, Oct. 22 with undefeated Ohio State.