Lions become bowl eligible with 42-14 win over Minnesota
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UNIVERSITY PARK -- Just a few weeks ago, becoming bowl eligible looked like it was an 'if' rather than a certainty. Those 'ifs' became definite on Saturday night.
The Nittany Lions got that coveted sixth win to get them to a 13th game in late December or early January in a 42-14 victory over Minnesota at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
The announced attendance was 105,291 fans, but there was probably around 60,000 fans at the start of the game and more cleared out after halftime.
The Golden Gophers, which had travel woes on Friday night with the national ground stop, did not arrive in State College until noon on Saturday. Those troubles seemed to carry over into the game.
PSU running back Carson Hansen may have enjoyed his best game as a Nittany Lion, finishing with 126 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.
Although it was Hansen's day, it was a solid effort for the ground attack as a whole. Cam Wallace added 82 yards on 15 rushes.
On a day where throwing the ball wasn't exactly needed, and not a favorable day to pass, anyway, with a light rain and snow falling during the game, Rocco Becht was 9 for 15 with 84 passing yards with three touchdowns. He was shaken up on a play in the fourth quarter, but remained in the game.
Backup QB Alex Manske entered the game late, going 2 for 2 with 38 yards and a touchdown pass to James Peoples.
The Minnesota offense struggled in a big way with quarterback Drake Lindsey finishing 16 for 30 with 185 yards and two touchdowns.
Penn State (6-4 overall, 3-4 in the Big Ten) will have Senior Day next week with Rutgers. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised on FS1.
Minnesota (5-5 overall, 3-4 in the Big Ten) hosts Northwestern next week.