Oct. 30, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State (7-1, 3-1) will wrap-up a two-game road stretch on Saturday when it visits Evanston, Ill. for a key Big Ten contest with Northwestern (5-3, 2-2). The teams are meeting for the first time since 2006.
The game, which is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Ryan Field, will be televised by ESPN and will also air on the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.
Penn State delivered its most complete performance of the season last week with an emphatic 35-10 victory at Michigan for its second consecutive decisive win over the Wolverines. The Nittany Lions have won four consecutive games.
The defense, which leads the Big Ten in all six primary categories, was superb, forcing a season-high four turnovers. Michigan entered the game leading the Big Ten in scoring at 37.3 ppg and was held to season lows in points and yards, with 250 yards, 176 yards below its average. After Michigan's initial drive of 70 yards, Penn State held UM to 96 yards on its next 11 possessions.
Linebacker Navorro Bowman led the defense, making a game-high 11 tackles, including a sack, recovered a fumble and grabbed his first interception of the season.
Quarterback Daryll Clark was magnificent, going 16 of 27 for 230 yards, with a career-high tying four touchdown passes and no interceptions. He threw three scoring passes to Graham Zug and a 60-yarder to Andrew Quarless. Clark was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season and fourth time in his career for his performance.
Northwestern improved to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten last week and won for the third time in four games by completing a come-from-behind, 29-28, victory over visiting Indiana. Down 28-3 late in the second quarter, Northwestern stormed back by scoring 26 unanswered points to claim the biggest comeback win in program history. The Wildcats rolled up 474 yards of offense, including 312 through the air, blocked a punt for a safety, and held Indiana scoreless for the game's final 37-plus minutes to gain the victory.
Quarterback Mike Kafka is the centerpiece of the Northwestern offense, as he leads the team in passing (2,067 yds., 9 TD) and rushing (206 yds., 5 TD). Zeke Markshausen (58-553-2), the Big Ten's second leading receiver, is Kafka's favorite target while Andrew Brewer (31-519) tops the Wildcats in receiving touchdowns with five.
Arby Fields (60-205-4), Stephen Simmons (38-176-2), and Jacob Schmidt (45-159-1) all have been contributors to the NU rushing attack while sophomore tailback Scott Concannon emerged as a running threat versus Indiana, totaling 74 yards on 16 carries.
Junior linebacker Quentin Davie has established himself as Northwestern's top defensive playmaker. He leads the team in total tackles (59), tackles for loss (8.0), sacks (4.0), and forced fumbles (3). Senior defensive end Corey Wootton, a preseason candidate for five national preseason awards and 2008 first team All-Big Ten honoree, has been slowed by an injury this year. Fronting the NU secondary is Sherrick McManis, a senior cornerback who tops the Wildcats with three interceptions and five pass break-ups.
Penn State owns a 9-3 record in the all-time series versus Northwestern. The Nittany Lions have won two straight, including the teams' last meeting, a 33-7 triumph on Sept. 30, 2006 in Beaver Stadium. Penn State's last visit to Ryan Field was a memorable one, as the Lions came away with a 34-29 victory in thrilling, come-from-behind fashion as quarterback Michael Robinson connected with receiver Derrick Williams on a 36-yard touchdown pass in the game's final minute to deliver the game-winning score.
Following the Northwestern game, Penn State will return to Happy Valley to begin a two-game homestand when it takes on No. 17/15 Ohio State on Nov. 7. Kickoff for the key Big Ten clash is set for 3:30 p.m. and will be regionally televised on ABC with ESPN2 airing the game outside of the ABC coverage area to the rest of the nation. The Buckeyes are 6-2 (4-1 in the Big Ten) on the season and host non-conference opponent New Mexico State on Saturday.