Penn State’s Yaacov Yisrael ruined Sam Simmons’ day. In his fourth game after suffering a broken finger, the Northwestern wideout was the bright point in a dim Wildcats attack until a late-game fumble marred his performance.
With the game tied at 28 three minutes into the fourth quarter, NU quarterback Zak Kustok connected with Simmons on a short screen pass. Simmons dodged two tackles and was directing his blockers when Yisrael and cornerback Bruce Branch converged on him from behind, forcing a fumble.
Simmons couldn’t tell whether the Penn State defenders knocked the ball loose or snagged his arm.
“It was so fast, I don’t know what happened,” Simmons said.
Simmons snatched five balls for 131 yards in the first half, nearly half of the Cats’ offensive yardage to that point. One of his key receptions was a slant pass from Kustok that he caught at Penn State’s 38-yard line, ran out to the sideline and tiptoed down the paint until he was called out of bounds at the 9-yard line. On the next play, Kustok found a hole over left tackle and scrambled for a touchdown, giving NU a 7-0 lead.
Simmons was injured late in the game when he dove for a Kustok pass and was driven into the ground, falling on his right shoulder. He had X-rays taken, but said after the game he felt fine.
JUST SHY: Once again, NU running back Damien Anderson failed to reach the 100-yard rushing mark in a Big Ten game. He totaled 91 yards on the ground.
Anderson, who has struggled against larger opposing defensive lines in his last four games, continued the trend on Saturday. But the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite had his best chance for a breakout game against Penn State, ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing defense.
With 92 yards on 18 carries through the third quarter, Anderson looked like he was going to bust out of his slump. But he only touched the leather twice in the fourth and was pushed back for minus-1 yard.
“We had to pass the ball,” Anderson said. “If you have your quarterback throw for 300 (yards) and run 100 yards, then you know they’re probably keying on your backs.”
Anderson returned two Penn State kickoffs for a total of 49 yards, including a 38-yard dart that jump-started NU’s last touchdown drive.
“Do I want to run the ball?” Anderson said. “Yes, but I’m a team player.”
ZAK ATTACK: Quarterback Zak Kustok outran Anderson for the second time this season, finishing the game with 115 yards, compared with the running back’s 91. Kustok’s rushing performance was highlighted by a 39-yard option play that set up the Cats’ last score of the game.
More importantly, Kustok’s contributions on the ground saved NU from yet another embarrassing stat Saturday. The Cats barely surpassed the 213-yard output by Penn State, the Big Ten’s worst rushing offense.
Kustok also contributed with his passing, going 23 of 40 for 298 yards. He had a hand in four of five NU touchdowns.
POROUS PLAY: Cats’ starting defensive tackle Matt Anderson left Saturday’s game late in the third quarter with a bruised knee. Penn State was in the middle of a 55-yard scoring drive that would tie the game at 28 when Anderson went down. He had one tackle on Saturday.
Walker was unable to comment on Anderson’s status after the game.
The defensive tackle first started for NU on Sept. 22 against Duke. He replaced senior Pete Chapman, who went out with a blood clot in his leg.
INCHES TO GO: Before Saturday, the Cats hadn’t lost a game decided by a single touchdown or less in three years. … Saturday’s game was the first time since the 1995 Rose Bowl that NU scored 30 points and lost. The last time it happened in the regular season was in 1989, NU’s last winless season. … Walker hadn’t lost a game when his team had the halftime lead since he’s been at NU. … Penn State’s team plane got stuck in the mud as it taxied around Midway Airport on Saturday night. The team was forced to spend the night in Chicago.
