SB Nation Pittsburgh - Penn State vs. Indiana: Nittany Lions Open Big Ten Schedule With 16-10 Win Against Hoosiershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-10-02T08:01:28-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22259662011-10-02T08:01:28-04:002011-10-02T08:01:28-04:00Nebraska Vs. Wisconsin, Notre Dame Vs. Purdue, Michigan State Vs. Ohio State Scores: Wisconsin Crushes Nebraska
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<p>Here are the rest of the Big Ten scores from Saturday. No. 7 Wisconsin crushed No. 8 Nebraska, 48-17, as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77778/montee-ball">Montee Ball</a> racked up 151 yards and four rushing touchdowns. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/5341/russell-wilson">Russell Wilson</a> went 14-for-20 with 255 yards and two touchdowns for the Badgers, who scored 34 unanswered points in the second and third quarters.</p>
<p>Notre Dame crushed Purdue 38-3 in a game that was never particularly close. The Irish picked off <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37512/caleb-terbush">Caleb TerBush</a> on the first play from scrimmage, then scored two plays later. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84656/cierre-wood">Cierre Wood</a> had 191 yards rushing and one touchdown, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113577/tommy-rees">Tommy Rees</a> threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns.</p>
<p>Michigan State, meanwhile, beat Ohio State, 10-7, in Columbus. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6903/kirk-cousins">Kirk Cousins</a> threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6987/b-j-cunningham">B.J. Cunningham</a> in the first quarter, and the Spartans added a field goal in the fourth. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/17634/joe-bauserman">Joe Bauserman</a> threw a touchdown pass with 10 seconds left in the game to avoid the shutout.</p>
<p>SB Nation has <a href="http://sbnation.com/blogs">a blog for every team</a>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/10/2/2463227/nebraska-vs-wisconsin-notre-dame-vs-purdue-michigan-state-vs-ohio-state-scoreCharlie Wilmoth2011-10-01T16:00:57-04:002011-10-01T16:00:57-04:00Final Scores: Northwestern Vs. Illinois, Minnesota Vs. Michigan
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<p>Early Big Ten action Saturday afternoon included one game that wasn't much of a game and another that looked like it was going to beg for shouts of "BEAT 'EM DOWN" that actually stayed close and provided an exciting come-from-behind win at the end.</p>
<p><b>Minnesota falls to No. 19 Michigan, 31-0:</b> The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a> got blasted by the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-wolverines" class="sbn-auto-link">Michigan Wolverines</a>, getting out-gained offensively 172 total yards to 580. The Gophers couldn't get anything going offensively, even having Michigan's defense score on an 83-yard fumble return. Denard Robinson's stat line wasn't eye popping, but when you're consistently given a short field to work you don't need to pile up the yards. Robinson ended the day with 169 passing yards with two passing touchdowns, as well as 51 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Wolverines ran at will, with running backs <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76863/fitzgerald-toussaint" class="sbn-auto-link">Fitzgerald Toussaint</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134813/thomas-rawls" class="sbn-auto-link">Thomas Rawls</a> rushing for 108 and 73 yards respectively. Both averaged over seven yards a carry.</p>
<p><b>Northwestern fails to pull the upset over No. 24 Illinois, losing 38-35:</b> Taking a four-point lead into halftime didn't feel like it would be enough for Northwestern, and it wasn't. The Wildcats failed to heed the warning to cover Illinois Fighting Illinis wide receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48928/a-j-jenkins" class="sbn-auto-link">A.J. Jenkins</a>, as Jenkins had an absolutely monster day with 12 catches for 268 yards and three touchdowns. On the final drive of the game, a pass interference call on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37228/jeravin-matthews" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeravin Matthews</a> set the Fighting Illini up on the 4-yard line. After three attempts to get into the endzone by Illinois quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75932/nathan-scheelhaase" class="sbn-auto-link">Nathan Scheelhaase</a>, he finally punched in the winning touchdown on a sneak.</p>
<p><i><b>For more on Minnesota Vs. Michigan, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/">The Daily Gopher</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/">Maize n Brew</a>, SB Nation's Gophers and Wolverines blogs. For more on Northwestern and Illinois, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sippinonpurple.com/">Sippin' on Purple</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hailtotheorange.com/">Hail to the Orange</a>, SB Nation's Wildcats and Illini blogs.</b></i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/10/1/2462321/northwestern-vs-illinois-minnesota-vs-michigan-final-scoreAlfie Crow2011-10-01T15:59:10-04:002011-10-01T15:59:10-04:00Penn State vs. Indiana: Mistakes Costly In Nittany Lions' Big Ten Opener
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<p>Penn State got a 16-10 win in its Big Ten opener against Indiana on Saturday in Boomington, Ind., but it didn't come easy. Quarterbacks <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden">Rob Bolden</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin">Matthew McGloin</a> struggled for the Lions and the offense made several key mistakes that left the door open for the lowly Hoosiers right down to the final snap.</p>
<p>The Nittany Lions twice turned the ball over in the redzone. One was a Bolden interception on Penn State's first drive of the game, the other <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> fumble on the Indiana 1-yardline in the third quarter. If not for tough defense, those missed opportunities may have come back to haunt the Lions.</p>
<p>"We had some mental miscues," wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37456/derek-moye">Derek Moye</a> told the Penn State Sports Network after the game. "I think we probably put a little too much pressure on ourselves." </p>
<p>Rob Bolden, who got his fifth start of the season against the Hoosiers, was 6-14 for 67 yards and that interception. McGloin saw slightly more success, completing 10-22 passes for 204 yards and a 74-yard touchdown to Moye late in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Running back Silas Redd gained 126 yards on 29 carries and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85925/curtis-dukes">Curtis Dukes</a> chipped in 54 on nine carries.</p>
<p>All in all, the offensive numbers weren't all that bad, but those mistakes in key moment really kept the game closer than it had to be.</p>
<p>Fortunately for the offense, the defense took care of business in this one. The unit yielded just 10 points and 260 yards on the afternoon. It also forced a couple of key turnovers, an interception by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37463/chaz-powell">Chaz Powell</a> and a fumble recovery by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37478/devon-still">Devon Still</a>.</p>
<p>"Our confidence level is definitely high," <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77419/gerald-hodges">Gerald Hodges</a> told the Penn State Sports Network after the game. "I feel as though we can hold anyone."</p>
<p>The defense's performance on third down was vital to the victory, too. Indiana converted on just 6-20 third downs it faced on the day,</p>
<p>Penn State will now prepare to host its first Big Ten home game of the season against Iowa at Beaver Stadium next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. At 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten's Leader's Division, the Lions have about the start they were hoping for at the beginning of the season. Things won't continue this well, though, if they make many more of the mental mistakes they did at Memorial Stadium today.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for more post game coverage here at SB Nation Pittsburgh.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/10/1/2462422/penn-state-football-vs-indiana-rob-bolden-matt-mcgloin-derek-moyeFTG18552011-10-01T15:32:08-04:002011-10-01T15:32:08-04:00Penn State vs. Indiana: Nittany Lions Hold On For 16-10 Win
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<p>With the game hanging in the balance, Joe Paterno turns to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin">Matthew McGloin</a> following Indiana's touchdown with Penn State lead 16-10 inside of four minutes to play. He hasn't had a great day, but the Nittany Lions' offense has worked best with McGloin in there, so this isn't a big surprise.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> gets the drive off to a good start with a huge run into Indiana territory. He hasn't had a whole lot of room to run today, but the run takes him over 100 yards on the afternoon.</p>
<p>After Redd's big run, though, the offense sputters on the ensuing series and is stopped short on a 3rd-and-1. Penn State punts inside Indiana territory and the Penn State defense will have to stop the Hoosiers to seal a win for the Lions.</p>
<p>Indiana opens the series with a first down up to its own 35-yardline. A holding penalty sets them back, though, and their forced to convert a 4th-and-2 up at midfield, which they do on a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76386/dusty-kiel">Dusty Kiel</a> run to keep the drive going.</p>
<p>With the ball at midfield, Kiel misfires on a couple of passes to bring up a 3rd down. He completes his next play, but short of the mark and in the field of play. On fourth down, Kiel scrambles again and gets a first down inside Penn State territory with :02 to play.</p>
<p>On the final play of the game, Kiel airs it out to Demarlo Belcher, but Indiana can't come up with the catch. That's your ballgame. Penn State holds on, 16-10.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/10/1/2462384/penn-state-vs-indiana-nittany-lions-hold-on-for-16-10-winFTG18552011-10-01T15:09:43-04:002011-10-01T15:09:43-04:00Penn State vs. Indiana: Hoosiers Cut Lead To 16-10 With Touchdown
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<p>There's another three-and-out for the Indiana offense. It's been an awful half for that group as the Penn State defense has offered almost nothing. Great performance from the Lions today stopping the Hoosiers from capitalizing on the offense's struggles.</p>
<p>Penn State gets the ball back and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden">Rob Bolden</a> returns at quarterback again. Almost like clock work, an offense that had been rolling under <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin">Matthew McGloin</a> bogs down and goes off the field quickly with a three-and-out. After McGloin's big performance last week and Bolden's 6-14 performance so far today, you have to wonder how much more time the staff is willing to give him in there. He's just not performing at the level neccesary to beat teams like Iowa, Northwestern and Illinois, let alone Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. McGloin has been no world-beater, but he's at least shown flashes of brilliance.</p>
<p>After getting the ball back, Indiana suddenly puts together a nice drive. The Hoosiers drive all the way into the Penn State redzone, then advance the ball to Penn State's 5-yardline. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76386/dusty-kiel">Dusty Kiel</a> then finds Demarlo Belcher in the endzone for Indiana's first touchdown of the game, and just like that, the Hoosiers have life.</p>
<p>Indiana scoring summary: 14 plays, 77 yards, 3:44 time of possession. With 3:51 remaining, Penn State leads Indiana 16-10 in Bloomington.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/10/1/2462351/penn-state-vs-indiana-hoosiers-cut-lead-to-16-10-with-touchdownFTG18552011-10-01T14:49:15-04:002011-10-01T14:49:15-04:00Penn State vs. Indiana: Nittany Lions Drive For Another Field Goal
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<p>A number of Penn State writers on Twitter are saying cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85916/stephon-morris">Stephon Morris</a> appears to have an ankle injury. True freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141951/adrian-amos">Adrian Amos</a> has been pressed into duty opposite <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37463/chaz-powell">Chaz Powell</a> now. We'll see if he can make the most of this opportunity with upperclassmen like Morris and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51487/d-anton-lynn">D'Anton Lynn</a> out of the game.</p>
<p>The defense forces yet another Indiana three-and-out following <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37456/derek-moye">Derek Moye's</a> big touchdown catch. The defensive line is getting good pressure on Hoosier quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76386/dusty-kiel">Dusty Kiel</a> and is playing a very disruptive game.</p>
<p>McGloin is back in the game on the ensuing Penn State drive. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> rips off a 13-yard gain and then McGloin hits Justin Brown up to midfield. Once again, the Lions' offense is building some momentum. The key now will be maintaining it instead of committing another costly error that lets the air out of the balloon.</p>
<p>The drive continues as McGloin hits Brown, and Moye to get Penn State into the redzone at the 19. McGloin hasn't had a great game, but the last couple of drives, he's been sharp enough for Penn Stateto string a couple of drives together. That's something we haven't seen at all from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden">Rob Bolden</a> today.</p>
<p>The drive stalls and Penn State is forced to kick another field goal. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77426/anthony-fera">Anthony Fera</a> remains perfect on the day, banging home the 33-yarder for his third field goal of the day.</p>
<p>Penn State scoring summary: 12 plays, 64 yards, 5:04 time of possession. Penn State now leads Indiana 16-3 early in the fourth quarter.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/10/1/2462323/penn-state-vs-indiana-nittany-lions-drive-for-another-field-goalFTG18552011-10-01T14:33:31-04:002011-10-01T14:33:31-04:00Penn State vs. Indiana: Matthew McGloin Hits Derek Moye For Big Touchdown
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<p>After Penn State's fumble, Indiana's offense finds a bit of a rhythm, pushing its way from the shadow of its own goal posts to around the 40-yardline. A fumble and a deflected completion to an offensive lineman for a loss on 3rd-and-14, however, stops that Hoosier drive in its tracks. The Nittany Lions' defense bends a little bit, but doesn't break and forces a punt when it has to.</p>
<p>Following a couple of drives with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden">Rob Bolden</a> at quarterback, Penn State again replaces the sophomore with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin">Matthew McGloin</a>. He wastes no time in sparking the Penn State offense with a 74-yard completion to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37456/derek-moye">Derek Moye</a> down field, good for Penn State's first touchdown of the afternoon. After almost three quarters of nothing, the Lions finally break through with a big play. We'll see if that fuels the offense to a good finish.</p>
<p>Penn State scoring summary: 1 play, 74 yards, :10 time of possession. It's now 13-3 Lions late in the third quarter.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/10/1/2462303/penn-state-vs-indiana-matthew-mcgloin-hits-derek-moye-for-bigFTG18552011-10-01T14:24:14-04:002011-10-01T14:24:14-04:00Penn State vs. Indiana: Mistakes Plague Nittany Lions' Offense
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<p>The Penn State defense forces yet another three-and-out after the Nittany Lions' field goal. The unit is really turning in a nice performance, though it will probably be lost in the offense's total ineptitude during the post game chatter. Between the stops and forced turnovers, it's hard to imagine how the defense could be playing much better.</p>
<p>After getting the ball back, Penn State's ground game is fueling a decent drive now. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85925/curtis-dukes">Curtis Dukes</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd">Silas Redd</a> are splitting the carries and methodically marching through Indiana territory behind good blocking along the offensive line.</p>
<p>They advance the ball to the 5-yardline, but are stopped there on third down. On fourth down, Penn State goes for it with a quarterback sneak by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden">Rob Bolden</a> and converts.</p>
<p>On first down, though, true to the form of this pathetic day for the Penn State offense, Redd fumbles the ball and Indiana recovers on its own 2-yardline. The Lions just can't stop making costly mistakes. If this happens next week against Iowa, Penn State won't last long against the Hawkeyes.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/10/1/2462272/penn-state-vs-indiana-mistakes-plague-nittany-lions-offenseFTG1855