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UNIVERSITY PARK - Penn State endured one of its worst offensive showings in memory, but fortunately for the Nittany Lions, Saturday belonged to the defense.
The Lions improved to 5-0 on the season with a 17-7 victory over Northwestern on a rainy day at Beaver Stadium.
State entered the game having made just one turnover all season - the interception at Purdue - but the Lions couldn't hold the ball against the Wildcats.
PSU's running backs had a particularly rough afternoon as decorated freshman Nick Singleton lost a pair of fumbles, and Keyvone Lee and Kaytron Allen each lost another.
Sean Clifford was also intercepted.
Northwestern (1-4) was equally generous with two lost fumbles and an interception.
Leading 17-7, the Lions' P.J. Mustipher stopped the Wildcats' quarterback Ryan Hilinski on fourth-and-goal at the PSU 1 in the fourth quarter to preserve breathing room.
Penn State's defense allowed just 31 rushing yards and forced seven punts. The Lions also stopped three of NW four attempts on fourth down and 11 of the Wildcats' 15 third-down plays.
The Lions took a 7-0 lead on Brenton Strange's 20-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and extended it to 14-0 on Singleton's 2-yard run in the second quarter.
Northwestern cut it to 14-7 in the third quarter when Hilinski found Jacob Gill for a 47-yard touchdown pass before Jake Pinegar's 38-yard field goal gave the Nits a 17-7 lead.
The Lions are now off next week before visiting undefeated Michigan on Oct. 15.
The Mirror will have a full report in Monday's Penn State Extra.