ORLANDO, Fla. — Dampened by rain, slowed by mud and trailing late in the fourth quarter, Daryll Clark was determined to get Penn State some points.

The No. 11 Nittany Lions and their star quarterback emerged from the muck for a thrilling 19-17 win over No. 13 LSU yesterday at the Capital One Bowl.

The late-game drive led by Clark helped set up Collin Wagner's 21-yard field goal with 57 seconds left, and Penn State staved off a last-ditch effort by the Tigers to preserve the victory.

"No matter what .. whatever it takes, we have to keep these chains rolling," the senior said in recounting a talk with the offense before the drive. "All we need is a couple points."

Penn State coach Joe Paterno got his record 24th bowl win and handed Les Miles his first loss in five bowls as LSU coach. It was just the second game in history between two popular college football programs.

But the drama extended well beyond the high-profile coaches.

A driving rainstorm turned the field into a mosh pit in some places. LSU rallied from a 13-point deficit late in the second half to take a 17-16 lead on Stevan Ridley's 1-yard touchdown run with 12:49 left.

And LSU had one final chance after Wagner's game-winner. The junior kicker said it was the first time he had ever hit four field goals in a game.

The Tigers got to midfield but right guard Lyle Hitt was whistled for a disputed personal foul penalty that pushed them back to their own 40. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson hit Rueben Randle for a 25-yard gain on the game's last play to the Penn State 35 but Randle fumbled as time expired.

PENN STATE 7 6 3 3—19

LSU 0 3 7 7—17

First Quarter

PSU—Moye 37 pass from Clark (Wagner kick), 1:54.

Second Quarter

LSU—FG Jasper 25, 14:15.

PSU—FG Wagner 26, 5:29.

PSU—FG Wagner 18, :04.

Third Quarter

PSU—FG Wagner 20, 2:27.

LSU—LaFell 24 pass from Jefferson (Jasper kick), :13.

Fourth Quarter

LSU—Ridley 1 run (Jasper kick), 12:49.

PSU—FG Wagner 21, :57.

A—63,025.

PSU LSU

First downs 21 9

Rushes-yards 40-124 25-41

Passing 216 202

Comp-Att-Int 18-35-0 13-24-1

Return Yards 20 43

Punts-Avg. 8-39.8 7-33.0

Fumbles-Lost 4-0 2-2

Penalties-Yards 2-10 10-64

Time of Possession 38:21 21:39

RUSHING—Penn St., Royster 17-65, Green 7-35, Clark 11-20, Suhey 3-9, Team 1-(minus 2), Drake 1-(minus 3). LSU, Ridley 12-13, Jefferson 8-11, Holliday 4-10, LaFell 1-7.

PASSING—Penn St., Clark 18-35-0-216. LSU, Jefferson 13-24-1-202.

RECEIVING—Penn St., Quarless 8-88, Zug 4-51, Moye 3-53, Drake 1-12, Powell 1-11, Green 1-1. LSU, Toliver 6-81, LaFell 5-87, Randle 1-27, Dickson 1-7.