After giving up a 71-yard rushing touchdown on Wisconsin’s third play from scrimmage, Penn State’s defense was stifling for most of the afternoon and the No. 20 Nittany Lions (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) downed Wisconsin (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten), 22-10, on Saturday at Beaver Stadium
The Penn State offense never got firing on all cylinders, but Brent Pry’s defense was stingy enough to hold a lead throughout most of the game and gave up only 10 passing yards in the first half.
How It Happened
Penn State took the opening kick, but after picking up a first down couldn’t muster much else and was forced to punt. It didn’t take Wisconsin long to score, though, as Jonathan Taylor rushed 71 yards for a touchdown on the Badgers’ third play from scrimmage. Wisconsin took a 7-0 lead with 11:04 remaining in the first quarter.
Penn State would even things up later in the first, however. Trace McSorley, Miles Sanders and the offense drove 75 yards on eight plays, ultimately scoring on a 13-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Thompkins. Penn State’s next drive would end in an impressive 49-yard field goal into the wind by Jake Pinegar and the Nittany Lions would carry a 10-7 lead into the first intermission.
Miles Sanders had big drive in the second quarter, breaking out for 17 yards and 23 yards on the ground. Sanders then leaped over the scrum on the goal line for a one-yard score. Pinegar missed the point after, but the Nittany Lions took a 16-7 lead with 8:09 remaining in the half.
The offense got into scoring range after McSorley hit Jahan Dotson for a 30-yard gain on third and 17. On the next play, however, McSorley left the game after seemingly injuring his knee again. Tommy Stevens, running the show, was unable to put any points on the board for the drive.
Penn State would take a 16-9 lead into the half. After Taylor’s big run in the first quarter, the defense held strong. Seventy-one of the 134 rushing yards from the Badgers came on that single run, and Brent Pry’s group allowed just 10 yards through the air.
Wisconsin scored first in the second half, driving 65 yards on 10 plays before Rafael Gaglianone hit a 28-yard field goal to make it 16-10 in favor of the home side. Pinegar would get another field goal of his own with 4:07 remaining in the third quarter, hitting a 42-yarder to give Penn State a 19-10 lead.
Pinegar struck again with 7:23 in the fourth quarter. A 23-yard field goal attempt gave Penn State a 22-10 lead.
Strangely, the Badgers took their time on the ensuing offensive drive, chewing up nearly five minutes of clock before turning the ball over on downs with 2:44 to play in the fourth quarter. Penn State then botched a snap while trying to run out the clock, and Wisconsin recovered in Nittany Lion territory, but Nick Scott intercepted a fourth down pass with 34 seconds left to seal the game.
What’s Next?
Penn State will travel to Rutgers to take on the Scarlet Knights on Saturday, Nov. 17.
