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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 45-17 victory over Minnesota on Saturday night at Beaver Stadium:
Play of the game: Hit as he threw, Sean Clifford lofted a 35-yard pass into the end zone that Parker Washington high-pointed, outscrapping Minnesota's Terrell Smith. The touchdown gave the Lions a 24-10 lead with 11:59 remaining in the third quarter.
Offensive player of the game: Clifford completed 23-of-31 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted once.
Defensive player of the game: PSU linebacker Curtis Jacobs made a team-high 14 tackles, including seven solos and two for loss.
Most telling statistic: Penn State's defense limited Minnesota to 2-for-13 on third down. The Gophers came in leading the nation in third-down conversion percentage at 66.
Hidden statistic: Minnesota committed seven penalties in the first half -- five false starts and two offside. Win for the White Out.
Most deceiving statistic: The Gophers had a 31:30-28:30 edge in time of possession.
Best run: Kaytron Allen trucked Minnesota defender Cody Lindenberg for a 10-yard gain in the second quarter.
Best pass: See play of the game. Clifford also rifled an 18-yard TD pass over the middle to Theo Johnson that extended the PSU lead to 17-3 with 4:01 left in the second quarter.
Best return: Ji'Ayir Brown returned an interception 35 yards in the third quarter.
Worst pass: Clifford unloaded a bomb that was intercepted in the first quarter.
Best catch: Washington's TD was nearly outdone by Mitchell Tinsley, who made a one-handed catch up the left sideline for 30 yards in the second quarter.
Catch it, will ya: Tinsley missed a pass in the second quarter that was a bit behind him but catchable.
Hold it, won't ya: Penn State didn't fumble.
Best block: Johnson and fellow TE Brenton Strange sealed the left edge on Nick Singleton's 16-yard touchdown that hiked the Nits' lead to 31-10 with 6:33 left in the third quarter.
Best tackle: Seldom-used PSU linebacker Charlie Katshir shot through to dump Trey Potts for a 5-yard loss in the second quarter.
Best hit: Gopher gunner Tyler Nubin leveled Washington on a second-quarter punt that Washington should have fair caught.
Best kick: Minnesota punter Mark Crawford boomed a 67-yarder to the PSU 7 in the first quarter.
Worst kick: Didn't see one.
Best call: Penn State sprung a screen to Singleton, who gained 22 yards in the second quarter, setting up the Lions' first touchdown.
Worst call: In a scoreless tie, Minny faced third-and-8 at the PSU 44 and sent Ibrahim up the middle for 2 yards, cueing a punt.
Best effort: Dom DeLuca partially blocked a punt in the third quarter. He also made two tackles.
Unsung hero: Freshman linebacker Abdul Carter made his first career start and recorded eight tackles.
Best moment: Recognition of members of the 2012 team, marking its 10th anniversary since basically saving the program.