Penn State Nittany Lions vs Virginia Cavaliers Match Player Stats On Sep 08, 2012

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 8, 2012

Virginia 17, Penn State 16: Michael Rocco connected with tight end Jake McGee for a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown with 1:28 remaining as host Virginia survived four turnovers and 10 penalties to drop Penn State to 0-2 in the Bill O'Brien era.

Nittany Lions kicker Sam Ficken missed from 43 yards out on the game's final play. The misfire capped a miserable day for the sophomore, who was 1-for-5 on field goals and had an extra point blocked.

Rocco, who completed 21 of 33 passes for 258 yards, was briefly removed from the game following a fumble late in the third quarter. He returned to help the Cavaliers (2-0) convert four third downs on a decisive 12-play, 86-yard drive.

McGee had four catches for 99 yards for Virginia, which sent Penn State to 0-2 for the first time since 2001.

Matt McGloin threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Allen Robinson early in the fourth quarter to give the Nittany Lions a 13-10 lead. Ficken's extra point was blocked, a play that would prove crucial.

Fickens was good from 32 yards out moments later, the only three points Penn State got off the hosts' four turnovers. Penn State outgained the Cavaliers, 121-32, on the ground.

McGloin completed 19 of 35 passes for 197 yards. He found freshman tight end Kyle Carter for an eight-yard touchdown with 8:53 left in the first to start the scoring.

Rocco hit a wide-open Jeremiah Mathis for a one-yard touchdown on the first drive of the second half, giving Virginia its first and only lead at 10-7. Rocco was removed for two series after dropping a snap late in the third.

Penn State responded to the fumble with a long drive that stalled at the Virginia 5-yard line. However, Ficken missed a 20-yard chip shot.

Rocco's backup, Phillip Sims, had a quick three-and-out, giving the ball back to McGloin, who engineered a five-play scoring drive capped by the connection with Robinson.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Penn State starting running back Bill Belton missed the game with a sprained ankle. ... The Nittany Lions held the ball for over 20 minutes in the first half. ... Cavaliers running back Perry Jones was held to 14 yards on eight carries. ... Drew Jarrett booted a 46-yard field goal to get Virginia on the board late in the second. It was a career long kick for the junior.