CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 17-16 loss to Virginia on Saturday afternoon at Scott Stadium:
Play of the game: Penn State sophomore placekicker Sam Ficken missed a 42-yard field goal as time expired.
Offensive player of the game: Virginia quarterback Michael Rocco completed 21-of-33 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 6-yard TD to tight end Jake McGee with 1:28 left in the game. Rocco is the grandson of former Altoona Area High School football coach Frank Rocco and the son of former PSU quarterback Frank Rocco Jr.
Defensive player of the game: Virginia linebacker Steve Greer racked up a game-high 15 tackles, including a pair of sacks.
Most telling statistic: In missing four field goals (from 40, 38, 20 and 42), not to mention having an extra point blocked, Ficken endured maybe the toughest game ever by a PSU kicker.
Hidden statistic: Following the first three turnovers by its offense, Virginia's defense allowed Penn State no points and a yardage total of -17.
Best run: With the Lions in punt formation at their 42, on fourth-and-3, Glenn Carson took a direct snap and rushed for 19 yards to the UVA 39.
Best pass: On third-and-16 from the Virginia 22 with less than five minutes left, Rocco hit McGee for 44 yards to the PSU 34, the key play of the decisive TD drive.
Worst pass: Rocco was intercepted by Lion defensive tackle Jordan Hill, whose leaping pick at the UVA 19 created field position for Penn State in the second quarter.
Best catch: Allen Robinson fully extended himself in the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown that gave the Nittany Lions a 13-10 lead with 13:10 left in the game.
Catch it, will ya: Robinson dropped a pair on consecutive plays in the third quarter. He also didn't come up with a touchdown pass in the end zone late in the first half from backup Steven Bench, though it would have been a great catch. Virginia's Dominique Terrell flubbed an open crossing pattern in the second quarter.
Hold it, won't ya: Penn State didn't fumble.
Best call: Liked the 17-yard throwback from Matt McGloin to Derek Day, a 17-yard gain to the UVA 25 on the Lions' first touchdown drive.
Worst call: Was surprised that Virginia coach Mike London took out Rocco after a third-quarter fumble, inserting Philip Sims instead.
Best tackle: Michael Mauti stripped a fumble out of Virginia tight end Paul Freedman after a reception on the Cavaliers' first play.
Best hit: PSU defensive end Deion Barnes jarred the ball loose from Sims, and the Lions recovered at the UVA 17 in the fourth quarter, setting up a 16-10 lead.
Best kick: Virginia's Drew Jarrett made a 46-yard field goal, a career long, to pull UVA within 7-3 with 3:56 left in the first half.
Worst kick(s): See "most telling statistic."
Best effort: Rocco was 6-of-6 for 97 yards on the final drive.
Unsung hero: Mauti made nine tackles, forced and recovered a fumble.
