Nittany Lions Almost Wait Too Long to Get It Going

Penn State wanted to avoid a letdown. What it got was more like a meltdown.

A week after an emotional victory over Ohio State, Penn State had to score twice in the fourth quarter Saturday to beat lowly Minnesota, 16-15, and keep alive hopes for a national championship.

“It was a win. You shouldn’t apologize for it,” Penn State Coach Joe Paterno said. “We just couldn’t seem to get into a groove. We tried things but they were ready for us. They [the players] were fortunate it was a win. I hope they learn for it.”

Chris Snyder’s fumble recovery set up Curtis Enis’ game-winning, 10-yard touchdown run with 3:59 to play.

“It was like a gift from God,” linebacker Jim Nelson said. “You couldn’t think of a more perfect time for those things to happen. Sometimes championship teams get lucky. Call it what you will but things went our way.”

The Nittany Lions, 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten, overcame a 15-3 lead that Minnesota (2-5, 0-3) built on field goals of 52, 23, 32, 50 and 33 yards by Adam Bailey.

Minnesota’s Crawford Jordan was called for pass interference on a third-down pass to Enis, giving Penn State a first down at the Gophers’ six. Enis, who ran for 112 yards, scored on the next play and Penn State trailed, 15-10.

“As much as I didn’t want this type of ball game, we needed it. Luckily, knock on wood, we pulled it out,” Enis said.

Minnesota immediately turned the ball over when Cory Sauter’s pass was intercepted by Dave Macklin at the Minnesota 34. The Nittany Lions drove to a first-and-goal but turned the ball over on downs when Mike McQueary’s pass skipped off the fingers of tight end Brad Scioli in the end zone.

Penn State got another break three plays later when Minnesota turned the ball over again. Thomas Hamner, who provided much of the offensive spark for the Gophers with 154 yards rushing, dropped the ball on a pitch and Snyder recovered at the 10. Penn State went ahead on Enis’ second touchdown run on the ensuing snap.