Mitchell's kick gives Northwestern win over Penn State

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Even though he had missed two field goals and an extra point, Northwestern kicker Jack Mitchell still had the confidence of coach Pat Fitzgerald. Mitchell justified that faith when it mattered the most. Mitchell's 35-yard field goal with nine seconds left gave the Wildcats a 23-21 win Saturday over the Penn State Nittany Lions . Backup quarterback Zack Oliver passed for one touchdown and ran for another, and Justin Jackson rushed for a career-high 186 yards for Northwestern. "I've got great confidence in Jack," Fitzgerald said. "I had full confidence he was going to make that kick. He's pretty good." Mitchell, who kicked a game winner to beat Notre Dame last year, recovered from his earlier woes to give the Wildcats a dramatic victory after they had squandered a 20-7 halftime lead. "I knew it was going to come down to me," Mitchell said.