Penn State Pulls Paterno Closer

Ryan Primanti kicked a 39-yard field goal with 18 seconds left as Penn State beat Indiana, 27-24, on Saturday night at Indianapolis for Coach Joe Paterno’s 321st victory.

Paterno is two wins away from tying Bear Bryant for the top spot on the major college career victory list.

Primanti, who had missed a 29-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter, made amends by making a 39-yarder with 8:54 remaining and then making the game-winner from the same distance.

Primanti’s redemption typified a strange night, which started early in the second half. The Hoosiers (3-5 overall, 2-3 in the Big Ten) opened the half with an onside kick, which they recovered. Four plays later, though, a fumble gave Penn State (4-5, 3-2) the ball near midfield.

Two series later, the Nittany Lions returned the favor when Eric McCoo fumbled at the Indiana two. Indiana then marched 69 yards, with Levron Williams rushing the final 26 before fumbling on the goal line and recovering in the end zone to give Indiana a 21-14 lead with 3:41 left in the third quarter.

Williams finished with 135 rushing yards.

Penn State then struck quickly, needing only four plays to tie the score when Rashard Casey threw a two-yard pass to John Gilmore.

After Primanti’s missed field goal, Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El had a pass intercepted for the second time.. Primanti then hit his first 39-yarder for a 24-21 lead.

Indiana drove down the field again and Andy Payne made a 29-yard field goal with 1:59 to play to tie the score.

Wisconsin 13, Iowa 7--Michael Bennett was held in check but still scored the go-ahead touchdown as the Badgers beat the Hawkeyes at Iowa City, Iowa.

Wisconsin (5-4, 2-4) beat Iowa (1-8, 1-4) for the fourth consecutive time and handed the Hawkeyes their 16th loss in the last 17 games.

Bennett, second in the nation in rushing with a 170-yard average, gained 81 yards in 29 carries, including a one-yard score midway through the second quarter that gave the Badgers a 13-0 lead.

The touchdown plunge was set up by Jamar Fletcher’s interception of Kyle McCann’s pass at the Wisconsin 13.

Fletcher almost returned the interception for a touchdown but was tripped up by McCann, who was making his first start this season in place of the injured Jon Beutjer.

After a 17-yard run by Bennett, Brooks Bollinger hooked up with Chris Chambers on a 40-yard stop-and-go pattern that moved Wisconsin to the Iowa 14. Bennett scored three plays later.

Michigan State 14, Illinois 10--Dawan Moss ran for two touchdowns as the Spartans beat the Fighting Illini at East Lansing, Mich., for their first Big Ten victory of the season.

Michigan State (4-4, 1-4) kept its slim hopes for a bowl game alive while the Illini (4-4, 1-4) made its task of getting to six wins tougher.

Illinois took a 10-7 lead when J.J. Tubbs kicked a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State responded with an 11-play, 82-yard drive ending with Moss’ one-yard dive, which gave the Spartans a 14-10 lead with 8:04 remaining.