Penn State football finally won after more than a month of struggling, searching, fixing.

Now, the Nittany Lions will be faced with a new challenge, one their players and coaches certainly welcome: Building and growing momentum more than 2,600 miles from home.

They will try to turn that breakthrough victory over Purdue into a positive streak to save their season, much like they did last November. They hope to continue this revival Saturday in Washington's Husky Stadium.

"It meant everything," offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said of Penn State's first Big Ten win this season. "When you say desperate, I would say that I was desperate. When you’re not winning here, and you’re not living up to the standard, you feel like you’re letting a lot more people down than just the players, the coaches. The alumni here, those people built the standard here that you have to live up to. And when you don’t do it, you’re letting everybody down."

The Lions not only broke their losing ways and relieved their psyches, they also see promise on the horizon with a defense finally fitting into place and an offense getting healthier than ever, from their blockers to the tight ends to their star receivers.

Penn State football vs. Washington key to the game

The Nittany Lions must build on their new-found success running the football and control the day's pace.

Consider that quarterback Rocco Becht is coming off his best game management performance and Cam Wallace ran like a revelation at tailback, helped by the best blocking push of the entire season. Plus, the Lions figure to regain one, if not both, of their injured star receivers, Chase Sowell and Koby Howard.

The tight ends, again, should be Becht's best friends when searching for first downs.

They have the confidence, and the weapons, to cash in long drives − and keep a feel-good opponent like Washington, even on its home turf, at arm's length.

Penn State vs. Washington scouting report

The Huskies also are trending upward after their own breakthrough victory with a quarterback recovery.

Hail to dual-threat QB and former starter Desmond Williams Jr., who came off the bench, returning from injury, to lead Washington to a miracle finish last weekend at Nebraska.

And so the top matchup Saturday could well be Williams working against the Penn State defense, particularly All-America favorite linebacker Tony Rojas and a bunch of premium defensive backs. The key for PSU will be restricting Williams' running and escape routes, forcing him to spend his time throwing from the pocket, and under duress whenever possible.

That would set things up well for cornerbacks Audavion Collins, Daryus Dixson and company, who are adept at making others pay for their mistakes.