UNIVERSITY PARK - Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's Blue-White Game on Saturday at Beaver Stadium, which was won by the Blue (defense), 77-65:
Play of the game: Defensive tackle Jordan Hill made an athletic interception of a short Rob Bolden pass, one play that would encapsulate both the defense's strong afternoon and the struggles of Nittany Lion passers.
Offensive player of the game: Freshman Bill Belton, a converted wide receiver and wildcat quarterback, carried the ball seven times from the tailback spot for a game-high 50 yards and a touchdown.
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Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Penn State cornerback Jesse Della Valle separates wide receiver Allen Robinson from the ball on a pass in the second half on Saturday.
Defensive player of the game: Defensive end C.J. Olaniyan had three sacks, including two of Paul Jones on back-to-back plays.
Most telling statistic: The three quarterbacks in the mix for the starting job - Bolden, Jones and Matt McGloin - were 19-for-42 for 296 yards and five interceptions.
Most deceiving statistic: While tight ends only accounted for six receptions, that number might have doubled with a little bit more accurate passing.
Hidden statistic: Devin Pryor, Adrian Amos and Belton all had big kickoff returns, but those plays were blown dead once they got near the 30.
Best run: Belton opened the second half by getting outside, then cutting back in and bolting directly up field for 20 yards.
Best pass: Jones got outside the pass rush and fired a deep strike to Shawney Kersey while on the move for a 42-yard pick-up.
Worst pass: Take your pick of McGloin trying to outgun the coverage and being intercepted by Jesse Della Valle, who returned it to the White 12, or Jones missing a wide-open Garry Gilliam in the end zone from 20 yards out.
Best catch: Reserve tight end Brian Irvin juggled and brought in a Shane McGregor pass one-handed in stride and took it for an 18-yard gain.
Catch it, will ya: There weren't any easy catches that were dropped.
Hold it, won't ya: With Ryan Keiser out with an injury, Matt McGloin had to do the holding. After leading a second-quarter scoring drive, he apparently forgot and came off the field, causing a brief delay.
Best call: The new scoring system allowed the teams to truly be split and gave the defense added incentive.
Worst call: Nothing of significance.
Best block: Although the offensive line provided several nice running lanes, there wasn't an individual block that jumped out.
Best tackle: One of Brad Bars' four tackles for loss was him racing to the corner to wrap up Deron Thompson 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Best hit: Della Valle separated Allen Robinson with what appeared to be a sure catch deep in the defense's end in the second half.
Worst tackle: Recently converted receiver Curtis Drake bit on Robinson's half-turn inside, allowing Robinson to spin back and turn a medium-range McGloin pass into a 40-yard gain.
Best kick: Anthony Fera opened the game with two outstanding punts that were both high and deep. The first was 45 yards and forced a fair catch inside the 20.
Worst kick: Alex Butterworth's first-quarter punt went 11 yards.
Best decision: Moving Belton to running back from wide receiver.
Worst decision: The kickoff team was sent onto the field too soon and stood awkwardly on the field through the alma mater.
Best effort: Christian Kuntz ripped free of Glenn Carson's tackle attempt at the 4 after hauling in a McGloin throw for an 11-yard touchdown pass.
Unsung hero: Ticket manager Bud Meredith, who helped estimate the crowd at 60,000.
