September 8, 2012 at 12:49 PM

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A solid first drive has Penn State ahead, 7-0, against Virginia in the team's first road game of the season.

Penn State pieced together a long scoring drive on its opening possession. Quarterback Matt McGloin marched the Lions offense down the field for a 17-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown catch by tight end Kyle Carter.

The Nittany Lions were 2-of-4 on third-down conversions, but converted on both of two attempts on fourth and short on the drive which chewed up 6:27 of the clock.

Penn State's defense failed to cause a turnover last week against Ohio, but the unit wasted no time making an impactful play.

On Virginia's first play from scrimmage, quarterback Michael Rocco found tight end Paul Freedman over the middle. Linebacker Michael Mauti stripped Freedman, and safety Stephen Obeng-Agyapong recovered the fumble to put Penn State in scoring range.

However, the Lions couldn't convert the turnover into points as Sam Ficken missed a 40-yard field goal on the ensuing possession.

With running back Bill Belton out of the game with an ankle injury, fifth-year senior Derek Day got the start at tailback. Day ran for 22 yards on eight carries in the first fifteen minutes, while Zach Zwinak and Curtis Dukes also saw some time at running back.