Penn State defeats Kafka-less Cats

Northwestern pulled a few tricks on Penn State early, but the Nittany Lions enjoyed all the treats at the end of a 34-13 Halloween victory in Evanston.

Wildcat quarterback Mike Kafka was on fire, hitting 14 of 18 for 128 yards, while rushing for 42 yards and a go-ahead touchdown, in less than two quarters of work against a Penn State defense that hadn't given up much of anything the last four weeks. Then Kafka went down with a leg injury, taking Northwestern's offensive firepower, and any chance for an upset, with him to the sideline. Penn State would storm back over the final two and a half quarters.

Northwestern went to work on offense with surgical precision. Kafka led the Wildcats on a 17-play, 65-yard drive to start the game with a field goal. But then one-upped himself by marching his team 80 yards down the field in eight plays, capped off by a Kafka touchdown run up the middle. It was 10-3, and Penn State couldn't answer anything Northwestern was doing.

Daryll Clark had something to say about that. Penn State's senior quarterback made big plays on almost every drive, including a 93-yard march in the second quarter to tie the game at ten on Clark's scramble into the end zone. Penn State wouldn't take its first lead until the fourth quarter, but the entire dynamic of the game changed once Kafka left and Clark surged.

All-America candidate defensive tackle Jared Odrick blocked a Northwestern field goal attempt on the next possession. The Wildcats would force a three-and-out, and get the ball back in Penn State territory. But Northwestern wasn't able to punch it into the end zone, allowing the Nittany Lions to hang around, only down by three. It would also be Northwestern's last points for the night.

Penn State had a tough time running against an active Northwestern defensive front, but Clark's passing was sharp enough to make up for any shortcoming on the ground.

Clark finished the day completing 22 of 31 for 274 yards and a touchdown, throwing in 16 yards and a score rushing. He hooked up with 11 different receivers, but has developed an explosive relationship with Derek Moye, who hauled in six passes for 123 yards and a 53-yard touchdown. It was Moye's third 100-yard day this season.

As Northwestern's offense sputtered, Penn State took over, tying the game at 13 on Collin Wagner's 23-yard field goal, followed up by a 58-yard touchdown drive capped by backup tailback Brandon Beachum's short power run up the middle. Penn State was stepping on the gas, and wouldn't let up the rest of the game.

Royster would find the end zone after Clark's bomb to Moye, as the scoring closed with Penn State up by the final 21-point margin of victory.

Penn State finished with 163 rushing yards, part of 437 total offensive yards. But most importantly, the Nittany Lions did not commit a turnover for the third-straight game. The last five games, Penn State has lost just two turnovers, while forcing 11.

The Penn State defense pulled it together between the first and second halves, holding the Wildcats to less than 40 total yards in the third quarter. Six different Nittany Lions logged a sack, the most sacks by Penn State in a game this season.

Penn State (8-1, 5-1) hosts Ohio State next week, while Northwestern (5-4, 2-3) travels to unbeaten Iowa.