Lions' win improves bowl outlook

Penn State's last- minute victory over Michigan State all but ensures a slot in a bowl game on New Year's Day.

In a matter of four seconds, the mood in Beaver Stadium switched dramatically. With 16 seconds left in the game, place-kicker Brett Conway was lining up for the game-winning field goal. The crowd hovered in anticipation.

Neither team could open a commanding lead, as the biggest margin was seven points. Twice in the fourth quarter, the teams were tied. After Spartan quarterback Todd Schultz scored on a 1-yard run, the game was deadlocked at 29-29.

Penn State's next drive didn't last too long. On the first play, Lion quarterback Wally Richardson was sacked from his blind side and fumbled. Michigan State defensive end Dimitrius Underwood recovered at the Penn State 14-yard line.

"The chances of them making a field goal when they're in that close seem pretty high," Lion linebacker Jim Nelson said, "so we wanted to hold them to a field goal."

The Spartans sputtered in their attempt to find the end zone, so Chris Gardner came out to try a 33-yard field goal. Somehow, the easy chip shot sailed wide to the left, missing by a foot or two.

The Lions took over on their own 20-yard line, with 80 yards separating a good season from an unsuccessful one.

"The feeling on the sidelines was the offense was going to score, no matter what," defensive end Brandon Short said. "Today they bailed us out because (the defense) didn't play too well."

Michigan State held the advantage in possession time (30:48 to 29:12), rushing yards (200-179) and third-down conversions (9/17 to 6/12). The Spartans also had a balanced offensive attack, which saw three players score touchdowns -- Gardner's two field goals and a safety.

Penn State countered with the Aaron Harris show. He scored three touchdowns, including one on a 49-yard catch. Tailback Curtis Enis, who finished with 165 rushing yards, scored the Lions' other touchdown.

But the game came down to one kick. Conway had made kicks like this before under intense pressure. That didn't bother him as much as it did other members of the team.

The defense sat on the bench, with their heads down, not watching the play. Short said they were praying, wishing, hoping that the field goal would be good.

It was.

"You couldn't ask for a better ending," said tight end Keith Olsommer, who, along with eight other senior starters, played his last game at Beaver Stadium.

With the regular season over, Penn State can only watch and see how the rest of the season plays out. The Lions may get an Alliance bid or they may not. All they can do is wait.

"I have not talked to one single bowl person," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said, "except to say hello."

After Saturday's win, he could be saying hello to either the Fiesta, Orange or Citrus Bowl.