Oct. 31, 2009

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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern struck early against No. 12 Penn State, taking a 13-10 lead into halftime. But the Nittany Lions rallied, notching 24 unanswered second half points to defeat the Wildcats 34-13 at Ryan Field.

After an early Penn State (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) field goal, Stefan Demos knotted the game at three with a 34-yarder of his own. Mike Kafka then capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a seven yard touchdown scamper to give the Wildcats a 10-3 lead early in the second quarter.

The Nittany Lions responded with a touchdown of their own to tie the game at 10 late in the second half. Northwestern (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten) got the ball back with 28 seconds remaining in the half and marched 20 yards in 25 seconds, setting up a Demos 45-yarder with three ticks remaining to give NU the 13-10 halftime advantage.

But Penn State controlled the second half, notching a 23 yard field goal to tie the contest at 13 after three quarters, then scored three touchdowns in a three and a half minute span early in the fourth to seal the victory.

Mike Kafka completed 14 of 18 passes for 128 yards while adding 42 yards rushing, including a seven-yard touchdown scamper early in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 10-3 lead. But Kafka would leave the game the next series with a leg injury and did not return.

Dan Persa continued where Kafka left off, connecting on 14 of 23 passes for 115 yards and netting 42 yards on the ground as well.

Eleven different Wildcats caught passes on the evening for Northwestern, led by Zeke Markshausen's nine receptions for 60 yards. Andrew Brewer had six catches for a team-high 65 yards with Drake Dunsmore and Sidney Stewart hauling in three receptions each for 28 and 20 yards respectively.

Penn State's defense, which ranks first in the Big Ten and fourth nationally in rushing defense, limited Northwestern running backs Scott Concannon and Stephen Simmons to 13 and 8 yards, respectively.

The Nittany Lions' Daryll Clark completed 22 of his 31 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown, with Derek Moye leading PSU with six receptions for 123 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown catch and run. Evan Royster racked up 118 yards and on the ground for Penn State, highlighted by a 69-yard touchdown run.

Northwestern hits the road for its next two Big Ten games, beginning next Saturday at fourth-ranked and undefeated Iowa.

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