Faced with a third and 11 on its own 25, Penn State’s defense — trying to prevent San Diego State from scoring — was hoping for a stop.
However, the Nittany Lions got a lot more than that. The Penn State pass rush got after San Diego State quarterback Maxwell Smith, forcing a fumble. Defensive tackle Austin Johnson scooped up the loose pigskin and lumbered 71 yards into the end zone.
This surprise six turned the tide in the contest. The Aztec offense was never the same after the fumble, and failed to get past the PSU 48-yard line on its final four possessions. Penn State rode a 10-0 fourth quarter to a 37-21 win in Happy Valley.
