Nittany Lions defense does a number on Hawkeyes
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Penn State safety Nick Sukay makes one of two interceptions by the Nittany Lions Saturday.
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's sputtering offense finally produced a touchdown in the red zone.
Backup quarterback Matt McGloin's 2-yard touchdown pass to backup tight end Kevin Haplea Saturday with 8:08 remaining put the finishing touches on the Nittany Lions' 13-3 victory against Iowa before 103,497 fans at Beaver Stadium.
It helped Penn State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) snap a three-game losing streak against long-time nemesis Iowa (3-2, 0-1), which had won eight of the previous nine meetings.
"We had a nice chip on our shoulder, it being Iowa, because they had our number the past couple years, so this one feels really good," tailback Silas Redd said.
Penn State's offense had failed to score a touchdown on its previous eight trips inside the 20-yard line until Haplea snagged his first touchdown pass.
It also was his first catch of the season.
"It felt good to finally get the ball in the end zone," McGloin said.
On their other three trips inside the red zone, the Lions managed two 20-yard field goals from Anthony Fera and McGloin tossed an interception in the end zone the previous series before the touchdown on an underthrown pass to wide receiver Derek Moye.
It was McGloin's first interception in 94 pass attempts.
"The touchdown was a little redemption for me," said McGloin, who came off the bench and completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards. "That interception was not a good throw."
Redd gained a career-high 142 yards on 28 carries, a 5.1 average. He had 90 yards and 16 carries in the second half. It was his second consecutive 100-yard game and his third this season.
"The offense just played with so much more passion," Redd said. "I don't know what it was. Hopefully, we can keep it going for the rest of the year."
The Lions finished with 231 yards rushing on 46 attempts, as backup Curtis Dukes added 60 yards on nine carries, a 6.7 average.
"I thought we did a better job blocking," coach Joe Paterno said. "We had some of the young guys getting a little better feel for the hole. I thought Redd had a pretty good game."
First Published October 9, 2011 12:00 am
