Penn State outlasts Northwestern in the rain, 17-7

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. – No. 11/12 Penn State football (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) defeated Northwestern (1-4, 1-1 Big Ten), 17-7, in its Big Ten home-opener on a soggy day in Beaver Stadium Saturday.

The Nittany Lions’ defense set the tone in the victory with five three-and-outs on Northwestern’s first five possessions, a feat which has not occurred against a Big Ten opponent since 2011. The unit recovered two fumbles, grabbed an interception and forced three fourth quarter turnover-on-downs, including a fourth-and goal stand at the 1-yard line with 11:51 left in regulation. Penn State was extremely successful in stopping the run, limiting the Wildcats to 31 yards on 28 carries. Penn State held Northwestern to zero or negative yards on 14 of 28 carries.

Penn State has forced 11 turnovers in the last three games, the most in any three-game stretch since forcing 13 in 1996 (five vs. Northwestern, five vs. Michigan, three vs. Michigan State).

PJ Mustipher had a team-high eight tackles, with four solo, including the one on Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski on fourth down for the goal-line stand. Ji’Ayir Brown notched the interception and a team-high five solo tackles, including one for loss.

Nicholas Singleton rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, while Kaytron Allen had 86 yards on 21 attempts. Sean Clifford was 10-of-20 for 140 passing yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Parker Washington recorded team highs of four catches and 73 receiving yards. Tight end Brenton Strange had a 20-yard touchdown reception.

Hilinski went 15-of-37 for 210 passing yards and a touchdown to pace the Wildcats. Jacob Gill had a 47-yard touchdown grab.

The Nittany Lions got on the board first with a 20-yard Brenton Strange touchdown reception with 15 seconds left in the first quarter. Penn State needed just four plays to cover 60 yards for the score. Keyvone Lee had two carries for 15 yards, and Washington notched a 13-yard reception. The drive began at the Penn State 40-yard line after Brown’s interception.

Penn State doubled its lead on a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Singleton with 5:02 remaining in the first half. Singleton led a grinding seven-play, 45-yard drive in 3:47. He had five carries for 22 yards and an 11-yard reception. Lee converted a fourth-and-one with a 7-yard carry.

Northwestern got on the board with 2:10 left in the third quarter, as Gill caught a 47-yard touchdown reception. Starting from its own 18-yard line, the Wildcats used nine plays to score in 3:13.

Penn State responded with a 38-yard field goal from Jake Pinegar 31 seconds into the fourth quarter on a seven-play, 54-yard drive in 2:41. Clifford hit Washington on a 43-yard pass on the second play, the longest play of the game for the Nittany Lions. Allen followed with a 13-yard rush to put the team in field goal position.