Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, November 7
Evanston, Ill.
11 a.m.
Northwestern
23
vs
21
Penn State (Family Weekend)
Players Mentioned
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RB
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RB
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QB
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/ FootballPhoto by: Stephen J. Carrera
Late Field Goal Lifts Northwestern Past Penn State, 23-21
11/7/2015 3:00:00 PM | Football
Mitchell hits game-winning 35-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining
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NOTES | QUOTES | PHOTO GALLERY | .PDF STATS
Watch: Pat Fitzgerald Press Conference | Student-Athletes
EVANSTON, Ill. -- A strong first half, Justin Jackson's career-high 186 rushing yards and Jack Mitchell's game-winning 35-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining gave Northwestern a 23-21 win over Penn State on Saturday at Ryan Field.
Solomon Vault added a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, his second of the season and third of his career, both school records. Anthony Walker recorded three tackles for a loss, and Nick VanHoose made a key late interception for his second pick in the last two weeks.
The Wildcats, who came into the game 17th in the nation in points allowed per game, held Penn State to nine total yards on the Nittany Lions' first four drives of the game. Matthew Harris, returning for the first time since sustaining an injury against Michigan, made a key pass breakup on a long attempt in one-on-one coverage.
After a scoreless first quarter, Northwestern began its fifth drive of the game at its own 41-yard line. Junior running back Warren Long broke free for a 35-yard run to bring the 'Cats within 15 yards of the game's first score. Two plays later, quarterback Zack Oliver – who replaced an injured Clayton Thorson – found Christian Jones in the end zone on a 14-yard strike, the senior receiver's second touchdown of the season.
One drive later, Northwestern found itself pinned inside the 10-yard line, but Jackson found a hole at the line and broke free down the sideline for a 48-yard gain. A defensive pass interference call followed by another big run by Jackson, this time for a mere 25 yards, brought the 'Cats to the 1-yard line, and Oliver punched it in on the ground to give Northwestern a two-touchdown edge. The extra point attempt failed, however, keeping NU's lead at 13-0.
The Nittany Lions marched downfield quickly on the ensuing drive, going 78 yards in just over three-and-a-half minutes, capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run by running back Saquon Barkley. But Vault, already with a kick return for a touchdown on the season, one-upped Penn State with a 96-yard runback. The return gave the 'Cats a 20-7 lead, which they would carry into halftime.
Penn State found the end zone for the second time courtesy of a trick play. Senior receiver Geno Lewis picked up a fumble after an attempted reverse play, then fired a 32-yard touchdown to DaeSean Hamilton to make it 20-14.
Penn State took its first lead of the game, 21-20, on a five-play 71-yard drive, highlighted by a 26-yard completion to Chris Godwin and capped off by a 13-yard run by Barkley, his sixth rushing touchdown of the year.
The Lions threatened again on their next drive, taking the ball to Northwestern's 30-yard line, but VanHoose jumped a pass attempt on a curl route and made a leaping interception, his second in two weeks. The pick was Hackenberg's first since the third game of the season, a span of 203 pass attempts. The Wildcats responded with a 30-yard drive, which included Mike McHugh's 14-yard catch, but they were forced to punt from Penn State's 38-yard line.
Following a big defensive stop thanks to a pair of big tackles by linebacker Nate Hall, the 'Cats took over at their 46-yard line with just over two minutes left. Oliver completed a game-saving 23-yard pass on 3rd-and-15 to Austin Carr, and from there Jackson chipped away on the ground, taking Northwestern to the 18-yard line. Mitchell nailed the 35-yard attempt with nine seconds left to give the Wildcats the heart-stopping victory.
The 'Cats return to action at 11 a.m. next Saturday when they host Purdue in the home finale. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
NOTES | QUOTES | PHOTO GALLERY | .PDF STATS
Watch: Pat Fitzgerald Press Conference | Student-Athletes
EVANSTON, Ill. -- A strong first half, Justin Jackson's career-high 186 rushing yards and Jack Mitchell's game-winning 35-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining gave Northwestern a 23-21 win over Penn State on Saturday at Ryan Field.
Solomon Vault added a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, his second of the season and third of his career, both school records. Anthony Walker recorded three tackles for a loss, and Nick VanHoose made a key late interception for his second pick in the last two weeks.
The Wildcats, who came into the game 17th in the nation in points allowed per game, held Penn State to nine total yards on the Nittany Lions' first four drives of the game. Matthew Harris, returning for the first time since sustaining an injury against Michigan, made a key pass breakup on a long attempt in one-on-one coverage.
After a scoreless first quarter, Northwestern began its fifth drive of the game at its own 41-yard line. Junior running back Warren Long broke free for a 35-yard run to bring the 'Cats within 15 yards of the game's first score. Two plays later, quarterback Zack Oliver – who replaced an injured Clayton Thorson – found Christian Jones in the end zone on a 14-yard strike, the senior receiver's second touchdown of the season.
One drive later, Northwestern found itself pinned inside the 10-yard line, but Jackson found a hole at the line and broke free down the sideline for a 48-yard gain. A defensive pass interference call followed by another big run by Jackson, this time for a mere 25 yards, brought the 'Cats to the 1-yard line, and Oliver punched it in on the ground to give Northwestern a two-touchdown edge. The extra point attempt failed, however, keeping NU's lead at 13-0.
The Nittany Lions marched downfield quickly on the ensuing drive, going 78 yards in just over three-and-a-half minutes, capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run by running back Saquon Barkley. But Vault, already with a kick return for a touchdown on the season, one-upped Penn State with a 96-yard runback. The return gave the 'Cats a 20-7 lead, which they would carry into halftime.
Penn State found the end zone for the second time courtesy of a trick play. Senior receiver Geno Lewis picked up a fumble after an attempted reverse play, then fired a 32-yard touchdown to DaeSean Hamilton to make it 20-14.
Penn State took its first lead of the game, 21-20, on a five-play 71-yard drive, highlighted by a 26-yard completion to Chris Godwin and capped off by a 13-yard run by Barkley, his sixth rushing touchdown of the year.
The Lions threatened again on their next drive, taking the ball to Northwestern's 30-yard line, but VanHoose jumped a pass attempt on a curl route and made a leaping interception, his second in two weeks. The pick was Hackenberg's first since the third game of the season, a span of 203 pass attempts. The Wildcats responded with a 30-yard drive, which included Mike McHugh's 14-yard catch, but they were forced to punt from Penn State's 38-yard line.
Following a big defensive stop thanks to a pair of big tackles by linebacker Nate Hall, the 'Cats took over at their 46-yard line with just over two minutes left. Oliver completed a game-saving 23-yard pass on 3rd-and-15 to Austin Carr, and from there Jackson chipped away on the ground, taking Northwestern to the 18-yard line. Mitchell nailed the 35-yard attempt with nine seconds left to give the Wildcats the heart-stopping victory.
The 'Cats return to action at 11 a.m. next Saturday when they host Purdue in the home finale. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
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