Sports Network | November 6, 2010
University Park, PA (Sports Network) – Matthew McGloin threw four touchdown passes to help earn Joe Paterno his unprecedented 400th coaching victory, as the Penn State Nittany Lions knocked off the Northwestern Wildcats by a 35-21 final in Big Ten Conference action.
Paterno, who now owns a 400-132-3 career record, is the first coach in FBS history to win 400 games.
Evan Royster ran for 134 yards and added 45 yards and a touchdown for Penn State (6-3, 3-2 Big Ten), which scored 35 unanswered points after falling behind 21-0.
Dan Persa threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in defeat for Northwestern (6-3, 2-3).
The only points of the first quarter came on a six-yard touchdown run by Persa.
Northwestern extended its advantage to 21-0 on a four-yard touchdown scamper by Persa and a nine-yard strike from the signal caller to Drake Dunsmore.
To Penn State’s credit, it was able to drive 91 yards in nine plays in the final minute of the first half, and the Nittany Lions cut their deficit to 21-7 on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Matthew McGloin to Brett Brackett.
The third quarter was completely dominated by Penn State, which scored three touchdowns to take a 28-21 advantage. After McGloin threw a three-yard scoring strike to Nate Cadogan and a 36-yarder to Derek Moye, Silas Redd reached the end zone on a four-yard run.
Royster scored the fifth and final unanswered touchdown for Penn State with 11:38 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from McGloin.
Penn State finished the contest with a 528-369 edge in total yards.