On the game's third play from scrimmage, Winfield ignited the crowd by intercepting a pass by Penn State's Sean Clifford at the Minnesota 5-yard line. Five plays later, Morgan hit Bateman down the sideline for a 66-yard TD, bringing a roar. After Penn State tied the score 7-7, Chris Autman-Bell took a pass from Morgan on a missile screen and raced 21 yards for a TD and 14-7 lead. The Gophers made it 21-10 on Johnson's one-handed catch for a 38-yard score.

Later, with 2:39 remaining and the Gophers leading 31-26, Penn State took over with one last chance to win The Nittany Lions reached the Minnesota 10 but were pushed back to the 25 on an offensive pass interference penalty. On third down, Clifford passed to the end zone, and safety Jordan Howden dived to make the game-clinching interception with 1:01 left. Two kneel-downs by Morgan in Victory formation, and the upset was reality. The long-frustrated fans rushed the field.