Penn State crushes Minnesota to secure bowl eligibility

Summarised from 3 outlets · 13 reports · Updated 15 Nov, 06:27 · Archive

Penn State defeated Minnesota 42-14 on Saturday, with quarterback Rocco Becht throwing three touchdown passes and running for another score.

Penn State dominated Minnesota 42-14 on Saturday at Beaver Stadium, with quarterback Rocco Becht throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for another score to help the Nittany Lions (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten) secure bowl eligibility.

Running back Carson Hansen rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown, while receiver Ben Brahmer caught two touchdown passes. Penn State's defence forced early turnovers that led to easy scoring opportunities. Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey fumbled a snap at midfield on the Golden Gophers' opening drive, setting up Becht's 1-yard rushing touchdown just five plays later. Penn State's defence also blocked the first punt, giving the Nittany Lions another short field.

Penn State's ground game dominated the first half, accumulating 173 of its 229 rushing yards before halftime. The Nittany Lions built a commanding 28-0 lead by the break. Brahmer caught a 19-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter, and Hansen burst through Minnesota's defence for a 46-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Minnesota's offence struggled throughout the first half, failing to reach midfield before the break.

The Golden Gophers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) could not mount a comeback in the second half. Cam Wallace caught a touchdown pass on a rollout in the final scoring drive of the first half, which put Penn State up 28-0.

Penn State's victory marks the team's third consecutive win in Big Ten play, and the Nittany Lions remain in contention for further bowl positioning with two regular season games remaining.

How it is being reported

• Penn State crushes Minnesota | the night in photosPenn State defeated Minnesota 42-14, securing bowl eligibility, with one home game remaining against Rutgers.PennLive · 15 Nov, 06:00
• Could Penn State go 8-4? Watch the post-game analysisBob Flounders and Jake Aferiat discuss the team's remarkable turnaround after starting 0-4 in Big Ten play.PennLive · 15 Nov, 05:50
• What we learned from Penn State’s bowl eligibility after dominating MinnesotaCam Wallace's continued success, Ben Brahmer's re-emergence and more give Penn State fans plenty to like heading into the final two regular season games.PennLive · 15 Nov, 05:36
• Penn State 3-and-out: Lions control line of scrmmage vs. MinnesotaPenn State ran for 229 yards and two touchdowns and veteran Becht accounted for four touchdowns in the Lions' 42-14 Big Ten win over Minnesota on Saturday night.PennLive · 15 Nov, 05:29
• Carson Hansen leaves Penn State win with injuryPenn State RB Carson Hansen ran for 126 yards and a touchdown in the first half against Minnesota on Saturday night. However, Hansen appeared to injure himself on a carry late in the first half.PennLive · 15 Nov, 05:11
• Minnesota coach says travel delays aren’t to blame for blowout loss to Penn StateMinnesota coach P.J. Fleck didn't want to use the Golden Gophers' travel delays as an excuse in a blowout loss to Penn StatePennLive · 15 Nov, 04:58
• Rocco Becht, Carson Hansen push Penn State past MinnesotaUNIVERSITY PARK — Rocco Becht threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score and Penn State pulled away from Minnesota, 42-14, on Saturday.TribLIVE · 15 Nov, 04:03
• Penn State’s strong first half powers win over MinnesotaPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 15 Nov, 03:49
• Penn State turning point, game balls in big win over MinnesotaPenn State scored touchdowns on its first two possesions against Minnesota to take control early on Saturday night at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions defeated the Golden Gophers 42-14 to improve to 6-4.PennLive · 15 Nov, 03:32
• Minnesota overcomes major travel delays, looks for win against Penn State| Live updatesBoth teams are looking to punch their ticket to a bowl game and leave with the Governor's Victory Bell trophy.PennLive · 14 Nov, 22:30
• Penn State-Minnesota: What time did Gophers arrive in State College?Penn State opened as a 7.5-point favorite over Minnesota at the start of the week. The Lions were 12.5 favorites as of Saturday afternoon. The Gophers' flight arrived in State College at 12:02 p.m. on Saturday.PennLive · 14 Nov, 22:13
• After nationwide ground stop, Minnesota football in the air en route to Penn StateMinnesota is finally on its way to State College for a 7 p.m. kick against Penn State.PennLive · 14 Nov, 15:31
• Penn State run game looks to keep grinding away vs. MinnesotaPenn State's running game has been the difference in the Lions' back-to-back wins against Purdue and Washington. Can the Lions keep it going vs. Minnesota tonight at Beaver Stadium?PennLive · 14 Nov, 11:00

In this story: Penn State · Minnesota · Rocco Becht · Carson Hansen · Ben Brahmer · Beaver Stadium · Drake Lindsey · Cam Wallace

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log