MINNEAPOLIS - Penn State had some life back, even if it came against the conference's worst team. The Nittany Lions got their sputtering offense going, too, even after losing their starting quarterback.
Matt McGloin threw two touchdowns to Derek Moye in relief of Rob Bolden, and Penn State beat Minnesota 33-21 on Saturday.
After a lopsided homecoming loss to Illinois, the Nittany Lions (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten) used a needed week off and the struggling Gophers (1-7, 0-4) to build some momentum.
"We had a whole week to come together, figure out what's happening and change what was going on," linebacker Nate Stupar said. "We got our mind back and focused."
Bolden threw six interceptions - and for only two scores - in the previous five games, but the freshman completed his first nine passes in this game before leaving with a possible concussion. He was 11 for 13 for 130 yards and a touchdown to Brett Brackett before getting hurt midway through the second quarter when he was tackled by Mike Rallis near the sideline.
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Bolden's status for next week is uncertain, but his teammates said he looked coherent enough to return.
McGloin finished only
6 for 13 for 76 yards and an interception, but the sophomore's first career completion was a beauty. Right after Adam Weber's end-zone heave to double-covered Da'Jon McKnight was intercepted by D'Anton Lynn and returned for 58 yards, McGloin zipped a 42-yard pass to Derek Moye for a touchdown that stretched the lead to 21-7.
Penn St. 7 14 3 9 - 33
Minnesota 7 0 7 7 - 21
First Quarter
PSU - Brackett 21 pass from Bolden (Wagner kick), 10:19.
Minn - McKnight 29 pass from Weber (Ellestad kick), 6:27.
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Second Quarter
PSU - Royster 2 run (Wagner kick), 11:34.
PSU - Moye 42 pass from McGloin (Wagner kick), 4:16.
Third Quarter
Minn - McKnight 4 pass from Weber (Ellestad kick), 8:42.
PSU - FG Wagner 49, 5:31.
Fourth Quarter
PSU - Moye 9 pass from McGloin (Wagner kick), 10:36.
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PSU - Still Safety, 9:41.
Minn - McKnight 16 pass from Weber (Ellestad kick), 5:01.
A - 48,479.
PSU Minn
First downs 17 26
Rushes-yards 30-145 35-134
Passing 206 299
Comp-Att-Int 17-26-1 26-49-1
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Return Yards 101 53
Punts-Avg. 6-45.2 6-40.7
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 5-45 6-49
Time of Possession 26:20 33:40
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Penn St., Redd 9-71, Royster 10-62, Green 3-6, Zordich 2-4,
Newsome 3-4, Team 1-(minus 1), Bolden 2-(minus 1). Minnesota,
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Eskridge 26-111, Bennett 5-12, Hoese 1-6, Weber 3-5.
PASSING: Penn St., Bolden 11-13-0-130, McGloin 6-13-1-76. Minnesota,
Weber 26-49-1-299.
RECEIVING: Penn St., Moye 3-81, Brackett 3-49, Royster 3-24,
Smith 3-24, Brown 2-14, Zordich 1-10, Haplea 1-2, Kersey 1-2. Minnesota,
McKnight 8-103, Gray 7-83, Bennett 5-71, Lair 3-37, Allen 1-3, Eure 1-1,
Keise 1-1.
