Penn State's miraculous cover against Northwestern cost 1 Wildcats backer $90,000

There are some times the gambling gods are against you, and it certainly must have felt that way for Northwestern backers on Saturday.

Despite closing as 26.5-point underdogs against No. 6 Penn State, Northwestern actually was leading 10-3 in the second quarter and managed to take a 10-10 tie into halftime.

In the third and early fourth quarter, Penn State pulled away and the game result was never in doubt from there — but the spread certainly was.

Down 34-13, Northwestern marched the ball to its own 48 before QB Brendon Sullivan threw an unfortunate interception with 2:26 remaining. Penn State then ran a fake kneel-down play and backup QB Beau Pribula hit Trey Potts for a 30-yard TD.

Allar to Potts for another Nittany Lions TOUCHDOWN! @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/FKGQMAoEQP

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 30, 2023

It was especially costly for one bettor at Caesars Sportsbook in Pennsylvania who wagered $90,000 on Northwestern at +27.5 and had to be feeling pretty good about his chances of winning that bet.

It was a big win for the public, as 78% of bets and 76% of the money at DraftKings Sportsbook were on Penn State -27, and 82% of bets and 77% of total dollars wagered were on Penn State to cover at BetMGM sportsbooks.