Penn State-Purdue second quarter updates

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. --

1. Purdue failed to cash -- twice -- when kicker Chris Summers failed on two second quarter field goal tries. The junior was wide right on a 45-yard field goal attempt and to even out his early miss, booted a 36-yarder wide left. Doh!

2. Penn State finally got its high-powered offense moving with a long, clock-churning drive. Quarterback Daryll Clark was able to hit a few short dink passes and Evan Royster continued his assault through defenses. The sophomore running back had a 23-yard gain on the scourge to move the Lions down to Purdue 24. Two plays later, Penn State had a third-and-seven and yours truly called "Graham Zug over the middle," which is the equivalent to the modern day "Javon Ringer up the middle." And wouldn't you know it, Clark hit Zug over the middle for a 16-yard gain down to the five. Clark scored on a fourth down sneak from a yard out three plays later. Penn State leads, 7-0.

3. The Lions produced another long drive right before the half. This one netted a Kevin Kelly 25-yard field goal at the whistle. There were a couple of questionable calls as Clark drove his offense down to the Boilermakers 5. The first-down play was a short out to receiver Deon Butler, who was well-covered. The second-down play was a similar call, this time to running back Stephfon Green. Clark underthrew him, but was pressured. The offensive play-calling has been spotty, to say the least. Nevertheless, the Lions have to feel pretty good about a 10-0 lead at the break.

4. The ten points were the Lions lowest first-half output of the season thus far.

5. Here are a few halftime stats: Royster (8 carries for 63 yards). Clark (11 of 15 for 116 yards and one rushing touchdown). The much-maligned Josh Hull had nine tackles in the first 30 minutes. That's a career high for the junior middle linebacker. Take that, critics!