Paterno Ends 39th Penn St. Season With Win

Posted 5:02PM on Saturday 20th November 2004 ( 20 years ago )

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Joe Paterno ended his 39th season at Penn State as a winner. The Nittany Lions scored four third-quarter touchdowns in a 37-13 win Saturday over Michigan State, and students who booed the Nittany Lions during three previous home losses chanted "Joe Paterno" and "Joe Pa, Joe Pa" as the game wound down. There have been calls for the 77-year-old coach to step down, though Paterno has given no public indication he is considering such a move. Tamba Hali and Paul Posluszny had interceptions and Donnie Johnson blocked a punt for Penn State (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten), which wrapped up its fourth losing season in five years. The loss eliminated Michigan State (5-6, 4-4) from bowl consideration. Tony Hunt's 1-yard touchdown run, Penn State's only touchdown generated by the offense, gave the Nittany Lions a 10-6 lead midway through the third quarter. Two plays later, Hali's interception behind the line of scrimmage set up Zack Mills' 8-yard scoring run - Penn State's second touchdown in 51 seconds - for a 17-6 lead. Posluszny's interception set up another one-play scoring drive, with Mills running it in from the 10 to make it 24-6. Johnson's block led to Mills' 6-yard touchdown pass to Michael Robinson to make it 31-6 with 21 seconds left in the third. It was the 41st scoring pass for Mills, tying him with Todd Blackledge and Tony Sacca as Penn State's career touchdown pass leaders. Robbie Gould added a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter. Stephen Reaves - Michigan State's third-string quarterback - threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jerramy Scott with 8:57 left, but by then it was too late for a comeback. Calvin Lowry had two of Penn State's five interceptions, a season high. Dave Rayner kicked a 52-yard field goal on the last play of the first half to give the Spartans a 6-3 lead.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/11/146866