There was a lot of celebrating going on at the new Ryan Field on the campus of Northwestern University on Friday, Oct. 2, in Evanston, Illinois.
The Wildcats ran around and through the porous Penn State defense, and the Nittany Lions offense couldn’t match Northwestern’s scoring. The result was a disheartening 34-13 loss for Penn State (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten). Northwestern improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference. It was Penn State’s second loss in a row. On Sept. 26, Wisconsin rallied from a three-score deficit to win 24-20.
THE GAME: Northwestern set the tone of the game as the Wildcats drove 43 yards on 11 plays, capped by a 50-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Penn State’s opening offensive series lasted four plays and 31 yards, but the result was a punt. Northwestern wasted little time scoring again, this time ending with a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Aidan Chiles with 5:07 remaining in the first quarter. The possession consumed 88 yards and took only seven plays.
Penn State caught a huge break when it recovered a Northwestern fumble at the Wildcats’ 34-yard line. On the fifth play of the possession, Carson Hansen ran eight yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 10-7.
There wasn’t any comfort zone after Northwestern rolled 75 yards on only three plays. Joseph Himon II reeled off runs of 36 and 38 yards, with the latter attempt a touchdown run.
The Wildcats weren’t finished. Still in the second quarter, after taking over at the PSU 35-yard line, Himon II closed out the drive with an 11-yard TD run and a 24-7 halftime lead.
Following two Penn State punts, Northwestern began an 11-play, 79-yard scoring drive that gave the Wildcats a commanding 31-7 lead with 5:42 left in the third quarter.
The Nittany Lions found the end zone for only the second time in the game. Chase Sowell caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rocco Becht to punctuate a 10-play, 68-yard drive.
THE NUMBERS: Northwestern outgained Penn State 506-291, including 413 rushing yards. The Nittany Lions managed only 48 rushing yards, while Becht completed 26 of 41 passes for 243 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Sowell was the team leader in receptions with five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Tony Rojas led the Nittany Lions defense with 12 tackles, including five solo. The Wildcats’ dominance was also reflected in time of possession. Northwestern had an overwhelming edge, 36:05 to 23:55. Northwestern’s Caleb Komolafe rushed for 188 yards on 25 carries. Himon II was good for 162 yards on 10 carries.
THE NEXT GAME: Penn State hosts USC on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. The game will be telecast live on NBC.
