Reborn Lions chill red-hot Northwestern

Even with a 24-point lead heading into halftime, Penn State coach Joe Paterno did not feel comfortable. In fact, he said he didn't feel comfortable until there was about one minute left to play in the game.

But Saturday the Wildcats were unable to muster a second-half rally, as Penn State defeated Northwestern, 34-9, in front of 96,596 cold, snow-dusted, energetic fans at Beaver Stadium. The Wildcat loss was their first in 13 Big Ten games.

"It's probably the best game we've played all-around," Paterno said.

But it was the fearless leader Richardson who had a career day. Maybe not statistically, but he put all the questions concerning his ability behind him.

Richardson, who has struggled much of the season, was 11 of 22 for 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He was 8 of 12 for 181 yards in the first half as the Nittany Lions built a 27-3 lead.

Richardson's first pass attempt of the game was incomplete, intended for wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who caught three passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. On his second attempt, Richardson found Jurevicius for a 51-yard gain.

The most telling stat of Richardson's performance is that he was sacked only one time. In previous games, Richardson's problems were caused, in part, by the lack of protection from the offensive line.

"I feel a lot better about the pass protection," Penn State guard Pete Marczyk said. "We spent a lot of time on it. The hard work is finally showing a bit."

The Lions (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) got on the scoreboard first on their second possession. On third and 10, the Lions picked up 23 yards on a Chafie Fields reverse. Three plays later, tailback Curtis Enis, who carried the ball 21 times for 167 yards, scored from 39 yards out.

Northwestern didn't get the opportunity to match the score, as Wildcat Hudhaifa Ismaeli was bowled over by safety Kim Herring on the ensuing kick return. The hit by Herring caused a fumble, and Lion fullback Anthony Cleary recovered at the Northwestern 19-yard line.Six plays later, fullback Aaron Harris scored from 1 yard out, giving the Lions a 14-0 lead.

All day Penn State played aggressively on offense, defense and special teams. The Lions were able to capitalize on opportunities, as the Wildcats turned the ball over five times - three of them caused by Herring, who picked off two passes and forced Ismaeli's fumble.

"Penn State played very well and capitalized on the mistakes we made," Northwestern coach Gary Barnett said. "I thought we were ready to play. I thought we matched up well. But in the end, we didn't tackle in the secondary, we missed tackles and then our offense we turned the ball over."

Northwestern (7-2, 5-1) could not get anything going offensively. The Wildcats managed 382 yards of total offense, but quarterback Steve Schnur was sacked seven times and intercepted three times. Defensive tackle Brandon Noble led the Lions with three sacks.

Schnur was 22 of 49 for 278 yards and one touchdown. Tailback Darnell Autry carried the ball 23 times for 107 yards.

"I think it was our best performance defensively so far this year," Penn State defensive end Brandon Short said. "With the exception of that one touchdown, we played really well."

That one touchdown came with 12:51 to play in the fourth quarter, when Schnur hit receiver D'Wayne Bates for a 78-yard strike. The Wildcats went for the two-point conversion but failed.

The Lions have a week off to rest before battling Michigan in Ann Arbor Nov. 16.Cornerback Brian Miller did not play for the second straight week due to a leg injury, and center Barry Tielsch left the game late in the third quarter with a sprained knee.

The Lions are now No. 14 in the AP Poll, up one spot from last week. Northwestern dropped seven spots to No. 18.