Penn State Nittany Lions vs Northwestern Wildcats Match Player Stats On Oct 07, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Oct 7, 2017

EVANSTON, Ill.-- Quarterback Trace McSorley completed 25 of 34 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown, also running for a score, as No. 4 Penn State dominated Northwestern 31-7 Saturday, spoiling the Wildcats' homecoming.

Northwestern focused on stopping Heisman Trophy candidate Saquon Barkley, who had minus-1 yard rushing at halftime. But he finished with 16 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns, including a 53-yard touchdown run that gave the Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) a 24-0 lead late in the third quarter.

McSorley's only touchdown pass came on a 10-yard toss to backup quarterback Tommy Stevens with 12:04 remaining in the first half, giving Penn State a 10-0 lead.

Stevens took over quarterback duties for McSorley after the game was out of reach, completing 4 of 7 pass attempts for 41 yards in addition to three carries for 17 yards.

Northwestern (2-3, 0-2) crumpled in the second half at the hands of Penn State's stifling defense, which entered the game with the conference's third-most efficient pass defense. The Wildcats gained 99 yards in the second half, 23 of which came on a late touchdown drive.

Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson finished 19 of 36 for 142 yards and two interceptions.

The Nittany Lions initially struggled to run the ball, amassing minus-2 rushing yards in the first half. Despite its 10-0 halftime lead, Penn State managed only 146 yards of offense to Northwestern's 166.

After extending the lead to 17-0 on a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:33 remaining in the third quarter, Barkley broke free for his long run, capping a four-play, 76-yard drive that lasted 1:06.

Northwestern's lone score was a 1-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Matt Alviti with 1:46 remaining, following a 25-yard reception by Jace James. Alviti replaced Thorson late in the fourth quarter, and finished 4 of 7 for 54 yards to go with three carries for 20 yards in addition to the touchdown.

NOTES: Penn State has outscored its opponents 76-0 in the first quarter. ... Northwestern has not surrendered an opening-drive score this season. ... Penn State backup QB Tommy Stevens has a touchdown rush, a touchdown pass and two touchdown receptions this season. ... Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson is now the fifth-leading passer in school history, eclipsing Zak Kustok's mark of 5,822 yards. Thorson needs 24 yards to pass Trevor Siemian for fourth all time. ... Penn State QB Trace McSorley has thrown a touchdown pass in 21 consecutive games. ... Northwestern LB Paddy Fisher was ejected in the third quarter for a targeting hit on McSorley. Fisher entered the game as the Wildcats' leading tackler, and finished with six combined tackles.