Silas Redd was huge for Penn State in that first half. He already has 119 yards on just 11 runs. Hard to imagine where this team would be without him as he's generated so much of the offense when the passing game has struggled.
Speaking of the passing game, it looks like Penn State might finally have a full-time quarterback. Matthew McGloin led the offense brilliantly and piled up a ton of points in the first half. His 160 yards and two touchdowns on 14-19 passing have been key in allowing the Lions to keep pace with the Wildcats and their dangerous quarterback, Dan Persa. Rob Bolden has yet to see the field for Penn State, and it McGloin keeps this up, there's a good chance he won't get into the game at all.
Northwestern starts the second half by picking up a couple of first downs into Penn State territory. The Wildcats are still deploying Kain Colter at times to run some wildcat packages. It's keeping the Lions on their heels.
The Lions get momentum back, however, as linebacker Gerald Hodges picks up a batted throw from Persa and returns it 64 yards into Northwestern territory. That's a huge play, as Penn State has pretty clearly had trouble stopped in Wildcats on downs. Playing takeaway like that is a real check on the way the Wildcats are moving the ball right now.
It doesn't take long for Penn State to get on the board here in the second half, either, as Redd takes the first play following the interception 19 yards for another touchdown. It's now 34-24 Penn State with 11:39 left in the third quarter.
Penn State Scoring Summary: 1 play, 19 yards, :05 time of possession.