No. 25 Penn State survived an off day from its defense but stood up when it needed to most, outlasting Purdue 23-18 in Happy Valley.

The Nittany Lions (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten), who entered ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense, forced three turnovers but allowed more than 10 points in a game for only the second time this season.

With Penn State leading 20-12 and driving for what appeared to be an insurance score, Matthew McGloin’s pass to the end zone was intercepted when the ball was kicked straight up in the air by defensive back Antoine Lewis.

Albert Evans collected the ricochet and returned it 55 yards, setting up Purdue (3-3, 1-1) for a potential tying score eight plays later when Akeem Shavers scored on a 1-yard plunge. However, Caleb TerBush was denied on the ensuing two-point conversion try.

Anthony Fera kicked his third field goal on the next possession to stretch the lead to 23-18 with 6:24 remaining.

Following a 69-yard punt that backed up Purdue against its own goal line, TerBush was intercepted by Nathan Stupar at the Boilermakers' 19 with two minutes remaining.

Led by Silas Redd, who finished with a game-high 131 yards on 28 carries, the Nittany Lions ran out the clock and gave legendary coach Joe Paterno his 407th career win.