PSU

Penn State-Northwestern Highs & Lows

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 22-21 loss to Northwestern on Saturday at Beaver Stadium:

Play of the game: With the Nittany Lions nursing a 14-13 lead, Devonte Ross fumbled a punt late in the third quarter, and Northwestern's Dashun Reeder recovered at the Penn State 9. The miscue turned into a NW field goal.

Offensive player of the game: Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone completed 17-of-26 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Defensive player of the game: Wildcat linebacker Mac Uihlein made 10 tackles, including eight solos -- both game highs.

Most telling statistic: Penn State committed six penalties for 60 yards -- five personal fouls (roughing passer, face mask, late hits) -- to NW's none in the first half.

Most deceiving statistic: PSU held Northwestern to 4.1 yards per play (while averaging 5.4).

Hidden statistic: The Lions rushed for just 35 yards on 11 second-half carries.

Best run: On third-and-3 from the PSU 25, leading 22-21, Northwestern's Caleb Komolafe put his head down for a 5-yard gain and a first down that allowed the Wildcats to eventually run out the clock.

Best pass: Northwestern took a 10-7 when Stone floated a pretty 29-yard TD to Griffin Wilde in the second quarter.

Worst pass: On second-and-2 from the NW 10 in the first quarter, Drew Allar was intercepted in the end zone by Ore Adyei, who returned it 33 yards.

Best catch: In part because it was so important. On third-and-8 from the PSU 27, down 21-16, Stone found Wilde over the middle for 16 yards -- the key play on the TD drive that put the Wildcats ahead for good.

Catch it, will ya: With the Nits trailing 10-7, Kyron Hudson's second-quarter drop of a third-down pass at the sideline ended a PSU possession.

Hold it, won't ya: Ross' fumble swung momentum.

Best block: Northwestern sealed the edge to let Komolafe gain the game-clinching first down.

Best tackle: With the Wildcats up 22-21, Aiden Hubbard stopped Lion backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer for no gain on fourth-and-3 at the PSU 32 with 3:00 remaining.

Best hit: Nit safety Antoine Belgrave-Shorter came up to stick Komolafe in the third quarter for a 1-yard gain.

Best kick: Gabe Nwosu boomed a 54-yard punt that the Lions alertly downed at the NW 1.

Best call: Northwestern's touchdown pass to Wilde was superbly executed and beat the Lions' best corner, A.J. Harris.

Worst call: On third-and-10 from midfield late in the third quarter, leading 14-13, the Lions went to a quarterback draw, and it gained 2 yards.

Worst penalty: A smorgasbord of choices. We'll pick Zuriah Fisher's face-mask penalty that sustained a late NW drive and allowed the Wildcats to cut the lead to 14-13. It also cost the Lions a late first-half possession.

Best effort: Wilde made seven catches for 94 yards on eight targets.

Unsung hero: With 1:19 left and NW at the Nits' 19, Joseph Himon burst 17 yards to the Lions' 2 and could have scored but alertly took a knee to end the game.