Wagner’s 5 FGs, 2nd-half D lift No. 23 Penn St to 22-13 win, survive scare from Temple

No. 23 Penn St survives scare from Temple

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Collin Wagner tied a school record with five field goals, Evan Royster ran for 187 yards and No. 23 Penn State’s defense dominated in the second half in a 22-13 win Saturday to survive a scare from upstart Temple.

The Nittany Lions (3-1) had little trouble moving the ball until they got inside the 40, but Wagner’s right leg bailed them out. His 21-yarder with 1:38 left in the third quarter finally gave Penn State a 15-13 lead.

Temple (3-1) had been outscored 154-9 in its previous four games with Penn State, but took a 13-6 lead in the first quarter on Bernard Pierce’s two touchdown runs. He later left the game with an apparent right ankle injury, and the Owls offense stalled after halftime.

Fans at Beaver Stadium breathed a collective sigh of relief after Michael Zordich’s 2-yard touchdown run gave Penn State an eight-point lead late in the fourth.