STATE COLLEGE — From an off-balance catch in the end zone to a fourth-down tackle at the goal line, Penn State came through in the clutch.

The Nittany Lions are back on track three weeks after a crushing loss to Iowa, using big plays to keep pace in the Big Ten race.

"They said I had big stuff on my plate, so I took it and ate it," said cornerback A.J. Wallace, who combined with Navorro Bowman to stuff Minnesota on a fourth-and-goal from the 1 in Penn State's 20-0 victory Saturday. "It gives you a confidence boost, but you can't hold on to it too long."

Not with a trip to Michigan coming up next, anyway, where Penn State hasn't won since 1996.

For one day, though, the Nittany Lions (6-1, 2-1) can take pleasure with a three-game winning streak and a victory over the Gophers. Penn State moved up one spot in this week's AP Top 25 poll to No. 13.

The hapless Gophers were the latest offense to feel the pressure from the Nittany Lions D, which put on its most complete performance of the season.

Minnesota had the ball for just 18 minutes and gained a season-low 138 yards. They ran only 40 plays, the fewest by a Penn State opponent since at least 1977.