Northwestern running back Caleb Komolafe (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

STATE COLLEGE (AP) — Caleb Komolafe ran for 72 yards and a touchdown and Northwestern held on to beat Penn State 22-21 on Saturday.

Preston Stone threw for 163 yards with a touchdown pass to Griffin Wilde, and Jack Olsen kicked three field goals for the Wildcats (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten), who won their third straight.

“I truly believe that our football team expected to win today,” Northwestern coach David Braun said. “Ultimately, the message was you’ve got a football team that’s got their back up against the wall, but also a football team that may be questioning who they are.”

The Wildcats, who hadn’t won in Beaver Stadium since 2014, took the lead for good with 4:51 when Komolafe bulled his way through Penn State’s defense to cap a 75-yard drive late in the fourth quarter.

The Nittany Lions got the ball back, but lost quarterback Drew Allar to a leg injury on a third-down play. Penn State coach James Franklin said afterward that Allar, a senior, will be out for the rest of the season with an unspecified injury.

Backup Ethan Grunkemeyer replaced him and was immediately stopped on a fourth-down run and the Wildcats ran the clock out from there.

Allar finished 13 for 20 for 137 yards passing and added 25 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Allar, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen ran for touchdowns for the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3), who lost their third straight. It was the fifth time a Franklin coached Penn State team has lost at least three consecutive games in a season.

“I take full responsibility for all of it,” Franklin said. “I hired all the staff, I recruited all the players. I believe in all of them. But we’re not getting it done right now.”

The Nittany Lions, who committed six penalties for 71 yards in the first half, could never get out of their way. Meanwhile, the Wildcats played steady, almost mistake-free football in front of a flat Penn State crowd that chanted “Fire James Franklin!” early.