Apparently, as Justin Kurpeikis said yesterday, Penn State has bought into the idea — no, the fact — that a playoff now exists for the Nittany Lions to qualify for a bowl game.

And get this. The Lions could still go to the Rose Bowl — with a 7-5 record. But before you start slapping your thighs, we should point out that the odds, possible as they are, are still highly improbable.

For it to happen, Penn State would have to end the season tied with Purdue and Michigan atop the Big Ten standings. That is, of course, assuming Penn State would defeat the Wolverines, a tall order in itself. Furthermore, we must rule out Ohio State and Northwestern, both of which must have at least three losses for the Lions to head to Pasadena.

Purdue only has two games left following its upcoming bye weekend, first against Michigan State, and then against Indiana. Together, the two have accounted for exactly two wins and eight losses.

And Saturday, the Lions made sure it wasn't a second victory for the Hoosiers. Here are your highlights.

Play of the game

Ryan Primanti's 39-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining. It marked the first time since 1996 that Penn State kicked a game-winning field goal, when Brett Conway nailed one at home against Michigan State.

Primanti's game-winner also made up for the 27-yarder he had missed earlier, his first miss of the year.

Honorable mention

Titcus Pettigrew's "meaningless" interception to end the game. Pettigrew, in all his years, could never pull one down. He had a chance against Drew Brees at home against Purdue a month ago, but apparently, he doesn't like balls thrown at the "9" on his jersey. Props to Pettigrew for yanking down his first, a Hail Mary. Doug Flutie would be proud to have him on his team.

Offensive hero of the game

Rashard Casey, who somehow topped last week's performance at Illinois. On top of his nearly perfect day, Casey engineered a two-minute drive in three quarters of the time to put the Lions in position for the final go-ahead field goal.

Defensive hero of the game

Aaron Gatten, who a week after receiving numerous accolades following his performance at Illinois, did himself one better. The fifth-year senior led all players, Lions or Hoosiers, in tackles with eight, including two for a loss of eight total yards.

Hero of the game, Part II

Cam Cameron's wife, Missy, who gave birth to the couple's fourth child around 5 a.m. Saturday morning. Good timing, too. Cameron had said that if his wife needed him, he would have skipped the game to be with her. An honorable mention goes to him.

Two-minute offense of the game

Rashard Casey's masterpiece, which started on his own 20. He completed five of six passes, and scrambled twice. Smartly.

Trash-talker of the week: Here's a tie. Earlier in the week, when asked about Casey, Randle El praised the slippery scrambler, but then added this little shot: " ... but I feel I'm in a whole different category."

News of the quote reached Casey, who obviously grimaced. In response, he said, coolly, "I can play with him on my worst day."

Stat line

Randle El completed nine of 22 passes for just 88 yards. He had three other completions, however, all going for INTs.

Casey, on the other hand, was 18 of 23 for 198 yards and no picks.

Makes you wonder how differently people would look at Casey if the Penn State public relations officials put him on the media guide cover.

Goat of the game

See Randle El, above.

Eat-his-words "a.k.a. Larry Johnson, Jr." quote of the game: Randle El wins this one, with his classic debauchery of the defense.

"The best thing we can do is keep our defense off the field," he said.

He's right. They're ranked 112th out of 115 teams.

Next time, leave it to the coaches, Antwaan.

The "real" quote of the game

"Mom did her work. Dad didn't do his." — Cameron, following the game.