Oct. 23, 2010
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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- Quarterbacks Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin combined to throw three touchdown passes and Penn State ran for 145 yards to lift the Nittany Lions to a 33-21 win over Minnesota.
With the win, Penn State (4-3, 1-2) improved to 13-2 in the next game after a loss since the start of the 2005 season and 14-5 in games after a bye week since 1994. The Nittany Lions won in their debut game in TCF Bank Stadium, the 65th stadium Joe Paterno has coached in during his Hall of Fame career. Paterno moved his career record to 398-132-3.
The Nittany Lions improved to 9-3 overall on the road and 8-2 in Big Ten road games the past three seasons Starting with an Oct. 20, 2007 win at Indiana, Penn State has won its last game in every Big Ten stadium with the exception of Iowa (9-3 record).
Bolden was ice-hot to start the game, completing his first nine passes for 115 yards, including a 21-yard scoring strike to Brett Brackett just 4:41 into the game. But, in the second quarter, Bolden was injured on a run and did not return after going 11 of 13 for 130 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. He became the 15th Nittany Lion to miss time this season due to injury.
A redshirt sophomore from Scranton, McGloin entered the game having thrown two career passes, both against Eastern Illinois last season. His first career completion was a memorable one, as he found Derek Moye in stride on a 42-yard strike on the first play after a D'Anton Lynn end zone interception and 58-yard return.
Early in the fourth quarter, McGloin lofted the ball into the end zone and Moye made a superlative catch, giving the Nittany Lions a 31-14 lead with 10:36 to play. McGloin was 6 of 13 for 76 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
Evan Royster gained 62 yards on just 10 carries to move into second place on the Penn State career rushing yardage list and in striking distance of Curt Warner's record of 3,398 yards. Royster scored on a two-yard run early in the second quarter to give the Lions a 14-7 lead. His 29-yard run on the Lions' first drive of the second half set-up Collin Wagner's 49-yard field goal for a 24-14 lead. The field goal tied Wagner's career high and gave him at least one made field goal in eight consecutive games.
Freshman Silas Redd provided a boost in the second half, gaining 70 of his 71 yards in the second half, on eight carries. Redd ran for 20 and 26 yards on consecutive plays early in the fourth period. Following a 10-yard pass from McGloin to Michael Zordich, Moye grabbed his second touchdown pass of the game three plays later.
The Penn State offense delivered a season-high six plays of 20 yards or more.
Lynn made a career-high 10 tackles (six solo) and a huge interception to lead the Penn State defense. Late in the second half, he grabbed his second pick of the season in the end zone and returned it to the UM 42. On the next play, McGloin hit Moye for a 21-7 lead. Lynn also had 0.5 TFL and pass break-up, as the Lions registered five pass break-ups.
In his most extensive career action, redshirt freshman safety Malcolm Willis made a season-best nine hits (six solo), with a pass break-up. Sophomore linebacker Michael Mauti returned the field and made a career-high eight tackles, with 0.5 TFL and a pass break-up. Linebacker Chris Colasanti made six tackles, with 1.0 TFL and Nate Stupar had six stops.
In his first career start, at defensive end, Jordan Hill made six tackles. Hill became the 15th different Nittany Lion to earn his first career start this season.
Penn State returns to Happy Valley on Saturday for an 8 p.m. primetime clash with Michigan in front of a sellout Beaver Stadium crowd. The game will air on ESPN, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com. The Nittany Lions have won the last two meetings with the Wolverines. Michigan is 5-2 overall (1-2 Big Ten) and was idle this week.
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