By Jeff Rice, NN Senior Writer
jrice@nittanynetwork.com
Jan. 1, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Penn State coach Joe Paterno said all the business of his team finally beating a ranked team this season was "a bunch of hooey," but the Nittany Lions probably wouldn't argue that Friday's 19-17 defeat of LSU in the Capital One Bowl was a strong way to end the season.

A back-and-forth game played on a field fit for a barnyard included rugged defense by both teams, big plays from both quarterbacks and was ultimately decided by an untimely penalty.

NN breaks down the big moments and big players in what can only be called Penn State's biggest win of the year.

Turning point: Daryll Clark’s third-down completion to wide receiver Graham Zug. It was a sign that Penn State’s offense was finally coming to life again and kept the drive that eventually led to the game-winning field goal going.
 
Game ball: Penn State kicker Collin Wagner. The junior kicked a career-best four field goals, including the decisive 21-yarder with 57 seconds left. None of his makes were longer than 26 yards but to do so on a day when even staying upright wasn’t guaranteed deserves commendation.
 
X-factor: The conditions. Gusting wind, steady rain and a torn-up field made any sort of offense a chore and turned special teams play into a comedy.
 
Standout opponent: LSU KR/RB Trindon Holliday. As expected, the Tigers tiny burner gave the Nittany Lions fits on special teams and on offense, compiling 116 all-purpose yards and helping turn the tide of the game early in the fourth quarter.
 
Unsung hero: He would actually be sung if the Nittany Lions had accomplished more offensively, but senior tight end Andrew Quarless turned in the best game of his career, catching a career-best eight passes for 88 yards.
 
Best offensive play: Clark's 37-yard touchdown pass to Derek Moye. The quarterback did a nice job of evading the rush and putting the ball in a spot where only his receiver could get it, Moye kept his concentration to haul it in and fullback Joe Suhey deftly avoided picking up a holding penalty.
 
Best defensive play: Navorro Bowman’s heads-up play (some would call it a savvy display of gamesmanship) of staying on the ground to keep the clock running after Brandon LaFell was tackled on the final drive. Bowman drew a personal foul penalty from the Tigers’ Lyle Hitt that essentially ended the game.
 
Best coaching move: The Tigers finally moving away from trying to run the ball, which they did unsuccessfully in the first half, to taking some shots downfield against Penn States well-cushioned zone.
 
Worst coaching move: Penn State’s convoluted third-down play-calling in the red zone. The Nittany Lions’ inability to convert touchdowns instead of field goals nearly cost them a game they should have had a bigger lead in.
 
Strangest play: Clark’s third-down pass to Moye, who was dragged back from the first-down marker by Patrick Peterson. Moye was originally given a first-down spot by the line judge, who then spotted the ball short of the first down. After review, the Nittany Lions picked up a yard and a half and earned the first down, which led to Wagner’s 26-yard field goal.
 
Red flags: Jeremy Boone could not keep his punts from bouncing or carrying all the way into the end zone. Penn State’s net average of 24.4 yards per punt reflected that. Penn State’s strategy of squib kickoffs took the ball out of Holliday’s hands but gave the Tigers great starting field position for most of the afternoon anyway.