(Sports Network) – Derek Moye caught three passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Penn State Nittany Lions to a 33-21 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a Big Ten affair at TCF Bank Stadium.
Robert Bolden completed 11-of-13 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an injury for the Nittany Lions (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten). Matthew McGloin took over under center, throwing for 76 yards and a pair of scores. Silas Redd ran for 71 yards to lead the Penn State rushing attack, while Evan Royster added 62 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries.
Adam Weber completed 26-of-49 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns to lead Minnesota (1-7, 0-4) in the loss, while DeLeon Eskridge ran for 111 yards on 26 totes. Da’Jon McKnight caught eight passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns for the Golden Gophers, while MarQueis Gray grabbed seven balls for 83 yards.
The Nittany Lions opened the scoring in this one, as Bolden completed a 21-yard strike to Brett Brackett early in the opening period of play.
The Golden Gophers responded midway through the frame, tying the contest at seven apiece with a 29-yard toss from Weber to McKnight.
The Nittany Lions reclaimed the lead early in the second quarter following a two-yard scamper by Royster, and took a 21-7 lead into the locker room following a 42-yard completion from McGloin to Moye.
The Golden Gophers cut the Penn State lead to 21-14 midway through the third quarter, as Weber found McKnight once more with a four-yard scoring toss.
The Nittany Lions added a 49-yard Collin Wagner field goal late in the frame to move ahead 24-14.
A nine-yard strike from McGloin to Moye early in the final period of play gave the Nittany Lions a 31-14 lead, while a Devin Still sack for a safety midway through the frame allowed the Nittany Lions to pull even further ahead.
Weber and McKnight hooked up once more late in the stanza with a 16-yard completion for the Golden Gophers to close out the scoring.