TicketsSept. 10, 2005
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Michael Robinson's 59-yard touchdown pass to Justin King sparked a quiet crowd as Penn State showed off a big-play offense after halftime to support a solid defense in a 42-24 win over Cincinnati on Saturday.
Penn State (2-0) held a 14-3 lead five minutes into the second half when safety Calvin Lowry hit Bearcats freshman quarterback Dustin Grutza, who fumbled. Defensive back Paul Cronin recovered at the 41 to get the ball from Cincinnati (1-1).
Penn State's offense, which struggled for much of the first half, took the field as dance music throbbed over the Beaver Stadium speakers. On the first play after the turnover, Robinson hit King, one of Penn State's prized freshman recruits, in stride down the right sideline.
Cincinnati cornerback Mike Mickens slipped and King ran untouched into the end zone, holding the ball in his hand below his waist for his first collegiate touchdown and giving Penn State a 21-3 lead.
The TD throw, one of a career-best three on the day for Robinson, riled up the crowd as fans cheered and chanted "Go PSU!" It was Joe Paterno's 345th victory.
Penn State's defense held Cincinnati without a first down on the ensuing series to get the ball back for Robinson.
The quarterback hit Derrick Williams on the next series down the left sideline for a 41-yard completion to the Cincinnati 6. Two plays later, Austin Scott jumped into the end zone from 1 yard out to give to give Penn State a 28-3 lead.
Robinson added a 45-yard TD throw to Deon Butler in the fourth quarter.
Penn State has forced five turnovers this year, and has scored touchdowns off each of them.
Grutza, making just his second collegiate start, felt pressure all day from Penn State's defense but scrambled his way out of many jams.
After a pass interference call on Alan Zemaitis gave Cincinnati the ball on the Penn State 27, Grutza eluded several defenders as the pocket collapsed, then found Derek Ross in the right corner of the end zone for a touchdown to cut the lead to 28-10.
Cincinnati had two scores late in the game, including an Ernest Jackson touchdown catch with 18 seconds left after the Bearcats recovered an onside kick.
The Bearcats are one of the youngest teams in Division I-A, with only six returning starters from last year's squad and just one senior, defensive Adam Roberts, starting on defense.