Penn State kicker misses 4 field goals in 17-16 loss
Penn State quarterback Steven Bench (12) is tackled by Virginia linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game. (Sept. 8, 2012) Credit: AP
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia's Michael Rocco hit Jake McGee on a 6-yard touchdown pass with 1:28 to play Saturday, and Sam Ficken's fourth missed field goal of the game -- from 42 yards at the gun -- preserved the Cavaliers' 17-16 victory over Penn State.
The loss in new coach Bill O'Brien's first road game hurt the Nittany Lions just as much, if not moreso, than their defeat last weekend at home against Ohio. Penn State (0-2) forced four turnovers in Virginia territory, continually taking it away to give its offense another opportunity, but then couldn't close the deal.
Virginia's winning drive covered 86 yards in 12 plays, the biggest blow a 44-yard pass from Rocco to Jake McGee on third-and-16 from the Cavaliers' 22 yard-line. Seven plays later, on third-and-goal from the 6, Rocco found McGee open again in the end zone, and Drew Jarrett's extra point was the difference.
