 With ESPN 's College <unk> in town , Alabama defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 24 – 3 in a renewal of their historic rivalry . Alabama scored first on a 36 @-@ yard touchdown pass from Greg McElroy to Kevin Norwood in the first quarter . The Crimson Tide added to their lead in the second quarter with a 14 @-@ yard McElroy touchdown pass to Preston Dial and a 31 @-@ yard Jeremy Shelley field goal to take a 17 – 0 lead at the half . After a scoreless third , Trent Richardson scored on a one @-@ yard run and Penn State 's <unk> Wagner hit a 36 @-@ yard field goal to make the final score to 24 – 3 . 
