STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Matt McGloin had been waiting to make this call.
The seconds were ticking down in Penn State’s 34-7 win Saturday over Navy, so the senior quarterback got teammates Jordan Hill and Gerald Hodges to sneak up behind rookie head coach Bill O’Brien to douse him with a bucket of water.
“I said `Hey listen, it’s his first win as a head coach. You’ve got to give it to him,'” McGloin said with a laugh.
It was too much to resist. Penn State football finally had a victory to celebrate.
McGloin threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns, Allen Robinson torched the Midshipmen secondary with 136 yards and three scores, and the Nittany Lions (1-2) rolled to the morale-boosting win following two draining losses to open a season of change in Happy Valley.
“In many ways, it was a long time coming,” said O’Brien, soaking wet while speaking to reporters after the game. “All the hard work they’ve put in this week, it finally paid off … But it’s just one win. We’ve got to soak it in tonight but get back to work on Monday.”
Penn State hadn’t come off the field victors since last Nov. 19 at Ohio State. That was soon after former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was charged with child sex abuse and the late Joe Paterno was fired. O’Brien was hired in January as Paterno’s replacement, and the Penn State program was slammed with NCAA sanctions in July over the school’s handling of the Sandusky case.
Among the penalties, the school was forced to vacate all its wins since 1998, so technically that 20-14 victory over the Buckeyes didn’t even count. The Nittany Lions last official win was 35-10 over Wisconsin on Nov. 22, 1997.
“When you think about all the things they’ve been through – it’s a pretty neat group of kids,” O’Brien said. “I just feel great for these football players here at Penn State today.”
Gee Gee Greene ran for 70 yards for the Midshipmen (0-2) and scored on a 12-yard run to end the Penn State shutout with 10:03 left.
Too little, too late, for mistake-prone Navy.
Linebacker U forced four turnovers including Mike Hull’s 74-yard fumble return to make it 34-0 in the fourth quarter. Navy was beset by seven penalties for 41 yards.
“It’s uncharacteristic of us. We didn’t play well. I didn’t coach well,” said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. “We’ve got to play mentally perfect to have a chance against a team like Penn State. We didn’t come close, not even close.”
Faint chants of “Bill O’Brien” echoed out of the stands after the two teams exchanged handshakes at midfield following the final whistle. The Nittany Lions avoided going 0-3 for the first time since 2001.
“For Coach O’Brien that was big because of all the hard work he’s put in for us,” said Hill, who recovered a Navy fumble. “And for us, too. All the hard work that we’ve put in and everything we’ve been through. Just to get one game under our belts, one win under our belts, now we feel like we’re just going to get it rolling.”
The Nittany Lions offense rolled from the start against Navy.
On a play fake, McGloin scrambled right and found tight end Jesse James in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown catch and a 7-0 lead on the game-opening drive. More than five minutes later, McGloin hit Robinson with a pass at about the 10, but the sophomore two-stepped around defensive back Tra’ves Bush to jog untouched into the end zone for a two-touchdown lead.
McGloin was 13 of 21 passing. Robinson caught five passes, cementing his status as the favorite target in the revamped Penn State offense.
“I think it was all about game-planning and good route combinations called,” Robinson said.
Some luck was involved, too, when a deflected pass landed in Robinson’s hands in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown reception to make it 27-0 in the third quarter.
Linebacker Gerald Hodges got in on Penn State’s turnover party, intercepting an underthrown pass in the flat by Navy quarterback Trey Miller, who was flushed out of the pocket under pressure. That turnover set up a drive that ended with another Robinson touchdown.
Just like in its season opener to Notre Dame two weeks ago, Navy allowed touchdowns on its opponents’ first three offensive series.
And just like two weeks ago, Navy limped home to Annapolis with another double-digit loss.
“We’re going to have a hard time beating high school teams if we don’t take care of the football, much less a program like Penn State,” Niumatalolo said.
Miller, who had both feet heavily taped, injured his right ankle in the 50-10 loss to the Irish. Appearing to walk with a slight limp, Miller was ineffective in the pocket, rushing 18 times for 21 yards and going 6 of 13 passing for 17 yards and an interception.
“He’s still a little ginger on that ankle,” Niumatalolo said. “Not everything that happened was his fault; he was running for his life.”
Penn State stepped up the pressure on Miller to try to contain Navy’s triple-option attack. For the most part, it worked early, with linebacker Michael Mauti leading the way with 12 tackles and a sack.
Freshman backup quarterback Keenan Reynolds entered in the third quarter to get Navy from its own 21 to the Penn State 26 before another mistake – this time a fumble by Noah Copeland at the line of scrimmage.
Hull emerged out of a swarm of blue shirts and raced down the middle of the field untouched 74 yards for a 34-0 lead. The creaky Beaver Stadium press box swayed as fans rocked the stands.
Navy now has six lost fumbles in its first two games after losing nine all of last year.
Those turnovers were costly for Navy, which otherwise was able to keep up with Penn State’s new-fangled offense modeled after the attack O’Brien coordinated while he was with the New England Patriots. Navy outgained Penn State in total offense 371-341 and held the ball for 36 minutes.
But much of Navy’s yardage came in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand for Penn State. Another bright spot for the Midshipmen came on fourth downs, when Navy converted 5 of 8 chances.
Before they left the field, the Nittany Lions started a new tradition initiated by O’Brien, gathering in front of the Blue Band to sing the alma mater.
And for first time in the new era of Penn State football, Nittany Lion fans went home happy.
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College Football Week 3
Stanford cornerback Terrence Brown, right, intercepts a pass intended for Southern California wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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College Football Week 3
Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell (10) is hit by Notre Dame’s T.J. Jones during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in East Lansing, Mich. Notre Dame won 20-3. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
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College Football Week 3
Stanford running back running back Stepfan Taylor celebrates as he scores past Southern California cornerback Nickell Robey (21) on a 23-yard reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Stanford won 21-14. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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College Football Week 3
Oregon running back DeAnthony Thomas breaks into the open for a long gain during the first half of their NCAA college football game against Tennessee Tech in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
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College Football Week 3
Louisiana-Monroe wide receiver Colby Harper (13) catches a pass for a touchdown against Auburn during the second half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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College Football Week 3
The Pittsburgh Panther mascot cheers with the student section at the beginning of the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 35-17. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
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College Football Week 3
Miami’s Duke Johnson scores a touchdown as Bethune-Cookman ‘s Dion Hanks trails during an NCAA college football game in Miami on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Al Diaz)
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College Football Week 3
Bethune-Cookman’s Rodney Scott is tackled by Miami during an NCAA college football game in Miami on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Al Diaz)
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College Football Week 3
Pittsburgh defensive back Jason Hendricks (25) runs away from Virginia Tech wide receiver Demitri Knowles (80) after making an interception in the first quarter of the NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh upset No. 13 Virginia Tech 35-17. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
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College Football Week 3
Florida State’s head coach jimbo Fisher, third from left, watches his running back James Wilder Jr. pickup a first down against Wake Forest in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Tallahassee, Fla.(AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
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College Football Week 3
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, center, rallies his team before the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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College Football Week 3
Massachusetts defensive back Darren Thellen (27) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Michigan wide receiver Jerald Robinson (83) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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College Football Week 3
Northern Illinois’s Martel Moore catches a pass over Army’s Tyler Dickson on a drive that lead to the game-winning touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
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College Football Week 3
Northern Illinois’s Martel Moore catches a pass over Army’s Tyler Dickson on a drive that lead to the game-winning touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
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College Football Week 3
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson (16) is stopped by Massachusetts defensive back Darren Thellen (27) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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Manny Williams, Jason Hendricks
Pittsburgh linebacker Manny Williams (36) and defensive back Jason Hendricks (25) celebrate with the defense after stopping Virginia Tech on a fourth-down attempt in the third quarter of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 35-17. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
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College Football Week 3
Central Florida wide receiver J.J. Worton (9) catches a pass in front of Florida International cornerback Richard Leonard (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. Central Florida won 33-20. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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College Football Week 3
Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington dives for a touchdown past Virginia safety Rijo Walker (27) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
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College Football Week 3
Michigan running back Vincent Smith (2) scores a touchdown past Massachusetts linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox (50) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 63-13. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
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College Football Week 3
Boise State’s Joe Southwick (16) runs past the defense of Miami (Ohio)’s Trey Payne (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 39-12. (AP Photo/Matt Cilley)
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College Football Week 3
Florida tight end Jordan Reed (11) is tackled by Tennessee defensive back Byron Moore (3) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
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College Football Week 3
Michigan tight end Devin Funchess (19) celebrates his touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
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College Football Week 3
Portland State’s Michael Williams (25) gives chase as Washington’s Jaydon Mickens runs after a pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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College Football Week 3
Boise State’s J. Harper (7) makes a touchdown reception against Miami (Ohio) during an NCAA college football game in Boise, Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/The Idaho Statesman, Joe Jaszewski)
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College Football Week 3
PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans throws the ball during their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 15, 2012 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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College Football Week 3
Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien, right, celebrates with quarterback Matt McGloin (11) after a second-quarter touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Navy in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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College Football Week 3
Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron (10) looks for a receiver as he is pressured by Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers (86) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/April L. Brown)
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College Football Week 3
West Virginia running back Shawne Alston pushes away James Madison cornerback Leavander Jones during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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College Football Week 3
West Virginia defensive lineman Shaq Rowell (90) reacts after tackling James Madison quarterback Justin Thorpe (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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College Football Week 3
An Oregon fan cheers during the second half of their NCAA college football game against Tennessee Tech in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Oregon won 63-14. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
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College Football Week 3
Stanford cornerback Wayne Lyons (2) celebrates after Stanford defeated Southern California 21-14 during an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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College Football Week 3
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson, center, looks to pass between Michigan State’s Marcus Rush (44) and Anthony Rashad White (98) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
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College Football Week 3
Notre Dame’s John Goodman, center, Everett Golson (5) and Troy Niklas, right, celebrate Goodman’s touchdown reception during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
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College Football Week 3
Notre Dame players, including Kendall Moore, left, Cierre Wood (20), Davonte’ Neal (19), Theo Riddick and Chris Salvi (24) celebrate following a 20-3 win over Michigan State in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
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College Football Week 3
New Mexico State’s Germi Morrison looks for yardage against the UTEP defense, including Greg Watkins, right front, during an NCAA college football game in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Las Cruces Sun-News, Robin Zielinski)
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College Football Week 3
A Utah fan holds a sign during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Utah and BYU on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
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College Football Week 3
LSU safety Ronald Martin (26) celebrates his interception with cornerback Tharold Simon (24) in the first half of their NCAA college football game against Idaho in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. LSU won 63-14. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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College Football Week 3
Houston quarterback David Piland signals toward wide receiver Ronnie Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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College Football Week 3
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier waves to fans as he walks off of the filed following a 49-6 win over UAB in an NCAA college football game at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)
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College Football Week 3
Wisconsin’s Kenzel Doe reacts after scoring a touchdown on an 82-yard punt return during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 16-14. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
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College Football Week 3
Mississippi tailback Randall Mackey (1) scores between teammates Donte Moncrief (12) and Jeff Scott (3) on a 3-yard touchdown against Texas in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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College Football Week 3
Baylor safety K.J. Morton (8) returns an interception for a touchdown as Sam Houston State quarterback Brian Bell (11) pursues in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/The Waco Tribune-Herald, Jose Yau)
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College Football Week 3
Georgia’s Christian Robinson (45), Aaron Murray (11) and Branden Smith (1) prepare to take the field with their teammates for an NCAA college football game against the Florida Atlantic Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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College Football Week 3
Cal Poly receiver Kristaan Ivory goes airborne after being hit by Wyoming’s Ghaali Muhammad during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Laramie, Wyo. Cal Poly won 24-22. (AP Photo/The Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Michael Smith)
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College Football Week 3
Florida running back Mike Gillislee (23) runs for yardage as he’s defended by Tennessee defensive back Prentiss Waggner (23) in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Knoxville, Tenn. Florida won 37-20. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
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College Football Week 3
Iowa State running back James White (8) runs from Western Illinois defensive back Kieron James, left, and defensive back David McDaniel, right, during a touchdown run in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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College Football Week 3
Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton (16) throws past Wisconsin’s David Gilbert (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
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College Football Week 3
Georgia running back Keith Marshall (4) is stopped short of the goal line by Florida Atlantic linebacker Cory Henry (31) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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September 16th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda 
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