The Penn St. Nittany Lions are on their way to giving Northwestern their first loss of the 2012 season, leading the Wildcats after the first quarter, 3-0.

Penn St.'s defense has dominated play, holding Northwestern to 12 total yards in the first quarter. The Wildcats did not convert a first down.

The Wildcats have been held to just 10 yards rushing on four attempts, while Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian is just 1-of-2 passing for two yards.

The Nittany Lions capped off a 12-play, 33-yard drive with a 21-yard field goal by Sam Ficken with 3:41 left in the first quarter. (Bill O'Brien looked visibly relieved when Ficken was done kicking, and the Penn State fans gave him a huge round of applause -- it's been a rough year for Ficken.) Penn St. had a 1st-and-goal opportunity from Northwestern's seven-yard line, but the drive stalled at Northwestern's four-yard line, after two runs and an incomplete pass.

Penn St. quarterback Matthew McGloin completed 10-of-13 passes for 73 yards. Bill Belton leads Penn St. in rushing so far, with 12 yards on three carries.

The Nittany Lions head into the second quarter facing a 3rd-and-10 at Northwestern's 43-yard line.