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University of Minnesota Athletics
Weber Hits Milestone in 33-21 Loss
10/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Adam Weber became just the fifth Big Ten quarterback to throw for 10,000 career yards and Da'Jon McKnight hauled in three touchdown catches in a losing effort as the Minnesota football team fell to Penn State, 33-21, on Saturday.
"I thought our kids played with a lot of passion and energy. It has been a wild week with a full load of emotions for the players and the coaches. I thought they came out today with some great passion and energy and played as hard as they could," Minnesota interim head coach Jeff Horton said. "There were a few plays in there that got away from us, but I could not be more proud of the way they represented the university. We want to win. That is the bottom line, and we have to do everything in our power to do that, but I really thought they responded to a tough week."
Weber finished the game with 10,199 career yards after completing 26-of-49 passes for 299 yards on the day. The senior quarterback hit six different Gopher receivers, including eight tosses to McKnight, who led Minnesota with 103 receiving yards and caught all three of Minnesota's scores on Saturday. Weber, who increased his career touchdown mark to 69, also threw one interception against the Nittany Lions.
Minnesota (1-7 overall, 0-4 Big Ten) outgained Penn State, 433-351, offensively on Saturday -- the second-most yards allowed by the Nittany Lions this season -- but was forced to play catch up all game. Penn State's Rob Bolden threw his first and only touchdown of the game to Brett Brackett on a 21-yard scoring completion at 10:19 of the first quarter for the game's first touchdown. Bolden, who left the game in the second quarter with an injury, completed all but two of his 13 pass attempts and racked up 130 passing yards.
Weber and McKnight connected in the end zone for the first time four minutes later on a 29-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-7, but that would be the last time the two teams were even on the scoreboard. Evan Royster slipped into the end zone on a two-yard touchdown scamper early in the second quarter, and third-string quarterback Matt McGloin, who came in to replace Bolden, tossed a 42-yard scoring strike to Derek Moye with 4:16 left in the first half. McGloin, who added another touchdown in the fourth quarter, was 6-of-13 for 76 yards with an interception.
Penn State (4-3, 1-2) looked like it might let the Gophers back in the game in the second half when Weber and McKnight hooked up again on a short touchdown pass midway through the third quarter to make it 21-14. But Collin Wagner booted a 49-yard field goal, followed by a Penn State touchdown and safety that gave the Nittany Lions a 33-14 lead with 9:41 remaining. McKnight and Weber cut Penn State's lead to 12 points with 5:01 left, but that would be as close as the Gophers would get.
On the ground, DeLeon Eskridge paced Minnesota with 26 carries for 111 net yards - giving the junior his fourth career 100-yard game and second of the 2010 season. Junior linebacker Gary Tinsley and sophomore linebacker Mike Rallis led Minnesota's defensive unit with seven tackles each, while senior cornerback Ryan Collado returned his second career interception for 16 yards.
The Gophers return to action next Saturday against Ohio State. Game time at TCF Bank Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.
