The Nittany Lions had a record ten players selected to the All-Big Ten First Team by the conference coaches. Six offensive starters, including Derrick Williams and Daryll Clark, along with four starters on defense joined seven Penn State players who earned honorable mention to lead the conference, greatly outdistancing the school with the second-most selections, Iowa, who had four starters and four honorable mentions.
Additionally, Joe Paterno became just third coach in conferenc history to be named conference coach of the year three times (Bo Schembechler and Hayden Frye), and senior A.Q. Shipley took home the Offensive Lineman of the Year award.
That's the good news.
The bad news is that somehow Aaron Maybin didn't win defensive player of the year, that hardware went to James Laurinaitis. The worse news was that he wasn't even named defensive lineman of the year and the worst news was that Iowa's Mitch King was.
How did this happen? You don't even need statistics to tell you that Maybin was the most disruptive lineman in the conference if not the country, just watch one quarter of one game. Teams simply had to account for #59 before every snap, whether that was rolling to the other side of the field of leaving in a tight end, running back or both to help block him.
Not convinced yet? How about the fact that Maybin is tied for fourth in the nation and leads the Big Ten in sacks per game (1.00) while King ranks 19th (0.33) in the conference? How about the fact that King has fewer forced fumbles, fewer tackles for loss, fewer solo tackles and plays on a squad that ranks behind Penn State's in every major defensive category?
Anyway you cut it, Maybin should be wearing the crown of Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the year, not Mitch King.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Penn State has the chance to do something Saturday that they've accomplished only once before. A win over Michigan State, and the Lions will clinch the Big Ten Championship and a berth to the Rose Bowl.
The only other time Penn State has been crowned Big Ten Champs and gone to the "Grand Daddy of them All" was 1994. That season, in only Penn State's 2nd year competing as members of the Big Ten, the Nit's slashed their way through the conference like madmen. Kerry Collins and Company capped an undefeated season by beating the Oregon Ducks 38-20.
Unfortunately, Penn State was jumped by Nebraska in the standings after week 8. That week, the Lions had already defeated Indiana, but down 35-21, the Hoosiers threw a Hail Mary pass as time expired, then ran in a two point conversion to make a 35-29 game seem closer than it really was. Because of this, Penn State never regained the #1 position in the polls.
In 2005, Penn State won their 2nd Big Ten Championship, yet did not appear in the most prestigious bowl game. That year, the Rose Bowl was slated to host the BCS title game. In what would be one of the greatest back-to-back nights in my college football remembrance, Penn State needed 3 OT's to finally outlast Florida St. in the Orange Bowl and Vince Young carried Texas to an
upset over USC in the Rose Bowl to decide the National Championship.
So now, the Rose Bowl has regained its tradition in hosting the Pac 10 vs. Big Ten winners each year. (This began in 1947 when the Big Ten was the Big 9, and the Pac 10 was the PCC). With a win over Sparty, Penn State will earn its 3rd Big Ten Championship Title, and a spot in Pasadena on New Years Day, in the oldest college football bowl game.
A special opportunity awaits Penn State nation. As history has dictated, a year like this does not come along very often. Penn State has every opportunity to capture the moment. They must not beat themselves though. 2 things will be key. First, the Lions must execute the game plan, and avoid committing turnovers. Second, the energy in Beaver Stadium must be electric. Penn State players must take care of the first. Penn State fans must contribute to the second. If those two things happen, a Big Ten Crown will be granted and a Bed of Roses will await us. Mmmmm, how good does that sound?
The only other time Penn State has been crowned Big Ten Champs and gone to the "Grand Daddy of them All" was 1994. That season, in only Penn State's 2nd year competing as members of the Big Ten, the Nit's slashed their way through the conference like madmen. Kerry Collins and Company capped an undefeated season by beating the Oregon Ducks 38-20.
Unfortunately, Penn State was jumped by Nebraska in the standings after week 8. That week, the Lions had already defeated Indiana, but down 35-21, the Hoosiers threw a Hail Mary pass as time expired, then ran in a two point conversion to make a 35-29 game seem closer than it really was. Because of this, Penn State never regained the #1 position in the polls.
In 2005, Penn State won their 2nd Big Ten Championship, yet did not appear in the most prestigious bowl game. That year, the Rose Bowl was slated to host the BCS title game. In what would be one of the greatest back-to-back nights in my college football remembrance, Penn State needed 3 OT's to finally outlast Florida St. in the Orange Bowl and Vince Young carried Texas to an
upset over USC in the Rose Bowl to decide the National Championship.So now, the Rose Bowl has regained its tradition in hosting the Pac 10 vs. Big Ten winners each year. (This began in 1947 when the Big Ten was the Big 9, and the Pac 10 was the PCC). With a win over Sparty, Penn State will earn its 3rd Big Ten Championship Title, and a spot in Pasadena on New Years Day, in the oldest college football bowl game.
A special opportunity awaits Penn State nation. As history has dictated, a year like this does not come along very often. Penn State has every opportunity to capture the moment. They must not beat themselves though. 2 things will be key. First, the Lions must execute the game plan, and avoid committing turnovers. Second, the energy in Beaver Stadium must be electric. Penn State players must take care of the first. Penn State fans must contribute to the second. If those two things happen, a Big Ten Crown will be granted and a Bed of Roses will await us. Mmmmm, how good does that sound?
OH, THE WONDERS....
The last ten years have been pretty eventful for Nittany Lion fans.
We've seen the Lions go from pre-season favorites to win the national title (1999) to a team that could only win three games and finished second-to-last in the conference (2003).
We've seen our beloved coach go from persona-non-grata to coach-of-the-year in just one season.
We've seen a program send four first-rounders to the NFL in one year (2003) and then be completely shunned by the league just two years later.
Along with riding the soaring and diving crests of a football program transitioning itself into a new century, Penn State fans have also been fortunate to have taken in some pretty special moments in Beaver Stadium in the last decade. Yet, despite all they've been through, this weekend fans will have a chance to see something that they've never seen before in Beaver Stadium.
They'll get to see the Lions win the Big Ten Championship at home, on Senior Day.
In each of the Lions' previous Big Ten Championship seasons, fans have either had to travel hundreds of miles or watch on television as Penn State secured the conference trophy. In 1994, it took a thrilling comeback on the road against Illinois to guarantee the program's first Big Ten title and Joe Paterno's first trip to the Rose Bowl. In 2005, it wasn't until a Week 11 win at Michigan State that fans could celebrate a second crown. This season, ending the season with back-to-back home games for just the ninth time under Paterno, the team can celebrate with 100,000+ fans if it can get by the Spartans.
Here's a look at just some of the best moments fans have witnessed in Beaver Stadium over the last ten years:
2K for LJ
Larry Johnson caps his magnificent 2002 season by running roughshod over Michigan State on Senior Day for an amazing 279 yards on just 19 carries...in the first half! The total was enough to push LJ over the magical 2,000-yard mark for the season, becoming the first running back in Penn State history to do so. He would go on to capture the Doak Walker, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Maxwell Awards that season.
#324 - Joe finally beats The Bear
Penn State started the season 0-4 in 2001, but a late comeback on the road against a ranked Northwestern team led by freshman Zach Mills gave the club its first win and tied Joe with Bear Bryant for the all-time victories record. The stage was set for the record to fall the next week at home against Ohio State. The Lions overcame a half-time deficit and blocked a potentially game-winning field goal before carrying an emotional Joe Paterno on their shoulders to a makeshift stage where he and his wife, Sue, thanked the crowd.
Adam Taliaferro
The Lions weren't figuring to have a very good team in 2001, but were opening the season at home, at night against #2 Miami. The season before, freshman Adam Taliaferro suffered a spinal cord injury against Ohio State and was told he'd never walk again. Less than one year later, Nittany Nation was buzzing at the news that Taliaferro would actually lead the Lions out onto the field before they took on the Hurricanes. Beaver Stadium was also unveiling her new south end zone deck for the first time, ensuring a record crowd.
Before the team came out, Taliaferro walked out of the tunnel amid a blitz of camera flashes and actually started to jog towards the Penn State sideline while pumping his fist to the crowd. It was one of loudest moments that stadium has ever heard.
Nebraska, 2002
Still the largest crowd ever to see a game in Beaver Stadium; if you weren't there, you won't understand why some that were still rank it above the original White Out against Ohio State. After Jamaal Lord led the 'Huskers to a touchdown drive to knot the score at seven, the Lions took over, scoring 33 unanswered points to bury #7 Nebraska. People watching the game in town and on campus still tell of how the roar of the crowd could be heard all the way from Beaver Stadium when Rich Gardner intercepted Lord's pass and took it back for a touchdown.
The White Out
The 2005 Lions were still searching for respect after throttling an undefeated Minnesota team at home the week before but few were giving them a shot against the sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Fortunately for Penn State, the Lions had a secret weapon that night that none of the experts had accounted for. The White Out. It was the game that earned Penn State the reputation as the loudest stadium and student section in college football, and will forever be the defining night in the 2005 season.
Dan Connor sets the All-Time Tackle Record
Just one year after mentor and teammate Paul Posluzny moved past Greg Buttle for the most tackles in Penn State history, Dan Connor broke the record again against Purdue in 2007. It doesn't jump out at you the way the other moments on the list do, but seeing the tackles record fall at a school called Linebacker U was pretty special.
We've seen the Lions go from pre-season favorites to win the national title (1999) to a team that could only win three games and finished second-to-last in the conference (2003).
We've seen our beloved coach go from persona-non-grata to coach-of-the-year in just one season.
We've seen a program send four first-rounders to the NFL in one year (2003) and then be completely shunned by the league just two years later.
Along with riding the soaring and diving crests of a football program transitioning itself into a new century, Penn State fans have also been fortunate to have taken in some pretty special moments in Beaver Stadium in the last decade. Yet, despite all they've been through, this weekend fans will have a chance to see something that they've never seen before in Beaver Stadium.
They'll get to see the Lions win the Big Ten Championship at home, on Senior Day.
In each of the Lions' previous Big Ten Championship seasons, fans have either had to travel hundreds of miles or watch on television as Penn State secured the conference trophy. In 1994, it took a thrilling comeback on the road against Illinois to guarantee the program's first Big Ten title and Joe Paterno's first trip to the Rose Bowl. In 2005, it wasn't until a Week 11 win at Michigan State that fans could celebrate a second crown. This season, ending the season with back-to-back home games for just the ninth time under Paterno, the team can celebrate with 100,000+ fans if it can get by the Spartans.
Here's a look at just some of the best moments fans have witnessed in Beaver Stadium over the last ten years:
2K for LJ
Larry Johnson caps his magnificent 2002 season by running roughshod over Michigan State on Senior Day for an amazing 279 yards on just 19 carries...in the first half! The total was enough to push LJ over the magical 2,000-yard mark for the season, becoming the first running back in Penn State history to do so. He would go on to capture the Doak Walker, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Maxwell Awards that season.
#324 - Joe finally beats The Bear
Penn State started the season 0-4 in 2001, but a late comeback on the road against a ranked Northwestern team led by freshman Zach Mills gave the club its first win and tied Joe with Bear Bryant for the all-time victories record. The stage was set for the record to fall the next week at home against Ohio State. The Lions overcame a half-time deficit and blocked a potentially game-winning field goal before carrying an emotional Joe Paterno on their shoulders to a makeshift stage where he and his wife, Sue, thanked the crowd.
Adam Taliaferro
The Lions weren't figuring to have a very good team in 2001, but were opening the season at home, at night against #2 Miami. The season before, freshman Adam Taliaferro suffered a spinal cord injury against Ohio State and was told he'd never walk again. Less than one year later, Nittany Nation was buzzing at the news that Taliaferro would actually lead the Lions out onto the field before they took on the Hurricanes. Beaver Stadium was also unveiling her new south end zone deck for the first time, ensuring a record crowd.
Before the team came out, Taliaferro walked out of the tunnel amid a blitz of camera flashes and actually started to jog towards the Penn State sideline while pumping his fist to the crowd. It was one of loudest moments that stadium has ever heard.
Nebraska, 2002
Still the largest crowd ever to see a game in Beaver Stadium; if you weren't there, you won't understand why some that were still rank it above the original White Out against Ohio State. After Jamaal Lord led the 'Huskers to a touchdown drive to knot the score at seven, the Lions took over, scoring 33 unanswered points to bury #7 Nebraska. People watching the game in town and on campus still tell of how the roar of the crowd could be heard all the way from Beaver Stadium when Rich Gardner intercepted Lord's pass and took it back for a touchdown.
The White Out
The 2005 Lions were still searching for respect after throttling an undefeated Minnesota team at home the week before but few were giving them a shot against the sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Fortunately for Penn State, the Lions had a secret weapon that night that none of the experts had accounted for. The White Out. It was the game that earned Penn State the reputation as the loudest stadium and student section in college football, and will forever be the defining night in the 2005 season.
Dan Connor sets the All-Time Tackle Record
Just one year after mentor and teammate Paul Posluzny moved past Greg Buttle for the most tackles in Penn State history, Dan Connor broke the record again against Purdue in 2007. It doesn't jump out at you the way the other moments on the list do, but seeing the tackles record fall at a school called Linebacker U was pretty special.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
GROWING PAINS
If you were like me growing up, you eagerly got off the 3rd grade bus, grabbed a couple of cookies from the highest cupboard mom could hide them in and you sat down for the 3:30 episode of Growing Pains. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the hit 80's television show, I'll briefly fill you in.Kirk Cameron played a young Mike Seaver who, coincidentally enough, experienced his own growing pains as he grew up on Long Island in a family of six. The show revolved around Mike as he grew into a mature young man. The audience was able to not only witness the trials and tribulations that Mike got himself into, but also the struggles of the remaining family as they grew together.
After watching the past three Penn State games, I've realized that the Nittany Lions are not only playing football, they're actually reenacting their own version of Growing Pains. Quarterback Darryl Clark is playing Mike Seaver, and the rest of the team is his supporting cast.
After sailing through his first eight games of the season (this is the part of the episode where Mike has some sure-fire way to cheat on his homework and everything goes as planed), Clark has drastically slowed down performance wise. He was knocked out of the win at Ohio State in the fourth quarter by a mild concussion, and threw a late interception the following week, which led to Iowa's game-winning field goal that snuffed out the BCS championship dreams. (This is part in the episode where Mike’s failproof plan fails, and things begin to fall apart).
After 2 fumbles (one inside the 5-yard-line) and an interception in the 34-7 win against Indiana, it's obvious Clark isn't playing his finest football. He's even admitted that "it can't happen, it just can't happen", speaking of the turnovers.
However, going into this week’s game against 15th ranked Michigan State, there is room for hope. Much like how Mike Seaver was always able to learn from his mistakes and make good for them - Clark did seem to gain some confidence in his throwing and running ability as his passes were crisper and he no longer hesitated to run the ball in the second half against Indiana. (This is part of the episode right before the end credits when everything is working it’s way out, Mike realizes the error of his ways, and plays a nice game of basketball with his father (Alan Thicke) in the driveway.The Nittany Lions have a lot of work to do, and although they have Joe Paterno helping them through these tough times instead of Alan Thicke, they should be able to come together and rally around Clark into a Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl.
The Growing Pains theme song might state "as long as we've got each other", but the Lions have much more than that. They have the entire Nittany Nation behind them as they move past their growing pains, past Michigan State, and into the history books as 2008 Big Ten Champions.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
IT COULD STILL HAPPEN
After the shock and pain wore off from the loss to Iowa, I am sure many Penn State fans besides me started to devise ways in their mind for the Lions to climb back into the national title game. Don't get me wrong, a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl berth is a tremendous accomplishment considering the Lions weren't even picked by "those who know" to finish in the top three of the conference before the season started, but once the Lions flirted with perfection for ten weeks and were on the trail to Miami anything else pales in comparison.
The combination of wins and losses (however unlikely) for the seven teams in front of Penn State is shrinking with each passing week, and the Lions didn't get any help this weekend. Have no fear, as long as there is even a faint pulse in Penn State's national title hopes, The Floating Lion will be posting scenarios to get you back to Miami. Here's this week's:
8. Penn State (10-1)
Games Left: vs. #18 Michigan State
What We Need: Win impressively. Everything becomes moot unless the Lions can take care of business in a big way against Sparty. Saturday's game is the last chance for Penn State to impress the pollsters and can deliver the Lions to the conference crown.
7. Utah (11-0)
Games Left: vs. #15 BYU
What We Need: Don't join a BCS conference. It's highly unlikely that Utah will get a crack to play for the national title no matter what happens, so, while a loss to BYU would be nice, Utah won't stand in the Lions way of the championship game.
6. USC (10-1)
Games Left: vs. Notre Dame, @ UCLA
What We Need: Even though USC might not win the Pac-10 Conference, it can still make it to the title game, and it wouldn't be the first time (see Oklahoma in 2003). So the Lions need an upset in the last two games. Could Charlie Weis call the right plays for the upset in Los Angeles? Could Slick Rick Neuheisel make good on his promise to end the Trojans' dynasty in the city of angels? Let's hope so.
5. Oklahoma (10-1)
Games Left: vs. #2 Texas Tech, @ #13 Oklahoma State, potential Big XII Title Game
What We Need: Oklahoma will have to wear two hats in the last two weeks of the season as far as Penn State fans are concerned. The Lions need Oklahoma to spoil the Red Raiders' perfect season this week, but then slip up against in-state rival Oklahoma St. the following weekend in Stillwater. This would give the Sooners two losses and eliminate them, while leaving it up to the BCS whether Texas or Texas Tech will go to the Big XII championship game. More on that later.
4. Florida (10-1)
Games Left: vs. The Citadel, @ #19 Florida State, vs. #1 Alabama
What We Need: The Gators are on fire right now, and since Penn State needs an opponent in the title game, why not let it be Florida? However, if the Gators are feeling generous, a loss to the rival Seminoles would definitely help Penn State's chances in case one of the other scenarios falls through. As far as the conference championship game against the Tide, the preferred winner of that game depends on the outcomes of the Florida/Florida St. and Auburn/Alabama games. Either Florida or Alabama (or both) have to lose its rivalry game and then beat the other team in the SEC Championship Game.
3. Texas (10-1)
Games Left: vs. Texas A&M, potential Big XII Title Game
What We Need: The Longhorns need Texas Tech to lose to Oklahoma and then finish as the highest-ranked team among the three of them in the BCS Standings to represent the Big XII South against Missouri in the conference championship game. A loss to Texas A&M would eliminate Texas from national title discussion, but even if it wins out it's not guaranteed a BCS berth. Consider that only two teams from any conference can make it to the BCS, and we are counting on Missouri being one of them from the Big XII, two of the other big three can't go (either Texas, Texas Tech or Oklahoma).
2. Texas Tech
Games Left: @ #5 Oklahoma, vs. Baylor, potential Big XII Title Game
What We Need: The Red Raiders can make it easy on everybody and lose both of their last two games, but they must lose once before playing in the conference championship game if Penn State hopes to finish in front of them. Texas Tech, like the other two teams from the Big XII on this list, would need to lose the conference championship game if it make it that far. But again, since the Big XII can only have two teams represent it in the BCS, a Texas Tech loss to the Sooners would realy jeopardize the Raiders chances of being one of them.
1. Alabama
Games Left: vs. Auburn, vs. #4 Florida
What We Need: It might seem like a stretch right now, but funny things can happen in rivalry games and Auburn could upset Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Should that happen, Penn State fans can then root for The Tide to beat Florida the following week if the Gators get by Florida State.
So there it is. A few bounces and you're scrambling to get that same hotel room in South Beach you just dropped last Saturday night.
The important things to remember are: Utah can't make it so don't worry about them. Secondly, these scenarios are counting on the fact that only two teams from the Big XII can make it to the BCS and Missouri is going to be one of them by way of its conference championship game. That would eliminate two of the big three that are in the top six right now. Finally, don't forget that Penn State needs to play somebody so one of the above teams can win out and it won't affect the Lions.
Don't stop believing.
The combination of wins and losses (however unlikely) for the seven teams in front of Penn State is shrinking with each passing week, and the Lions didn't get any help this weekend. Have no fear, as long as there is even a faint pulse in Penn State's national title hopes, The Floating Lion will be posting scenarios to get you back to Miami. Here's this week's:
8. Penn State (10-1)
Games Left: vs. #18 Michigan State
What We Need: Win impressively. Everything becomes moot unless the Lions can take care of business in a big way against Sparty. Saturday's game is the last chance for Penn State to impress the pollsters and can deliver the Lions to the conference crown.
7. Utah (11-0)
Games Left: vs. #15 BYU
What We Need: Don't join a BCS conference. It's highly unlikely that Utah will get a crack to play for the national title no matter what happens, so, while a loss to BYU would be nice, Utah won't stand in the Lions way of the championship game.
6. USC (10-1)
Games Left: vs. Notre Dame, @ UCLA
What We Need: Even though USC might not win the Pac-10 Conference, it can still make it to the title game, and it wouldn't be the first time (see Oklahoma in 2003). So the Lions need an upset in the last two games. Could Charlie Weis call the right plays for the upset in Los Angeles? Could Slick Rick Neuheisel make good on his promise to end the Trojans' dynasty in the city of angels? Let's hope so.
5. Oklahoma (10-1)
Games Left: vs. #2 Texas Tech, @ #13 Oklahoma State, potential Big XII Title Game
What We Need: Oklahoma will have to wear two hats in the last two weeks of the season as far as Penn State fans are concerned. The Lions need Oklahoma to spoil the Red Raiders' perfect season this week, but then slip up against in-state rival Oklahoma St. the following weekend in Stillwater. This would give the Sooners two losses and eliminate them, while leaving it up to the BCS whether Texas or Texas Tech will go to the Big XII championship game. More on that later.
4. Florida (10-1)
Games Left: vs. The Citadel, @ #19 Florida State, vs. #1 Alabama
What We Need: The Gators are on fire right now, and since Penn State needs an opponent in the title game, why not let it be Florida? However, if the Gators are feeling generous, a loss to the rival Seminoles would definitely help Penn State's chances in case one of the other scenarios falls through. As far as the conference championship game against the Tide, the preferred winner of that game depends on the outcomes of the Florida/Florida St. and Auburn/Alabama games. Either Florida or Alabama (or both) have to lose its rivalry game and then beat the other team in the SEC Championship Game.
3. Texas (10-1)
Games Left: vs. Texas A&M, potential Big XII Title Game
What We Need: The Longhorns need Texas Tech to lose to Oklahoma and then finish as the highest-ranked team among the three of them in the BCS Standings to represent the Big XII South against Missouri in the conference championship game. A loss to Texas A&M would eliminate Texas from national title discussion, but even if it wins out it's not guaranteed a BCS berth. Consider that only two teams from any conference can make it to the BCS, and we are counting on Missouri being one of them from the Big XII, two of the other big three can't go (either Texas, Texas Tech or Oklahoma).
2. Texas Tech
Games Left: @ #5 Oklahoma, vs. Baylor, potential Big XII Title Game
What We Need: The Red Raiders can make it easy on everybody and lose both of their last two games, but they must lose once before playing in the conference championship game if Penn State hopes to finish in front of them. Texas Tech, like the other two teams from the Big XII on this list, would need to lose the conference championship game if it make it that far. But again, since the Big XII can only have two teams represent it in the BCS, a Texas Tech loss to the Sooners would realy jeopardize the Raiders chances of being one of them.
1. Alabama
Games Left: vs. Auburn, vs. #4 Florida
What We Need: It might seem like a stretch right now, but funny things can happen in rivalry games and Auburn could upset Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Should that happen, Penn State fans can then root for The Tide to beat Florida the following week if the Gators get by Florida State.
So there it is. A few bounces and you're scrambling to get that same hotel room in South Beach you just dropped last Saturday night.
The important things to remember are: Utah can't make it so don't worry about them. Secondly, these scenarios are counting on the fact that only two teams from the Big XII can make it to the BCS and Missouri is going to be one of them by way of its conference championship game. That would eliminate two of the big three that are in the top six right now. Finally, don't forget that Penn State needs to play somebody so one of the above teams can win out and it won't affect the Lions.
Don't stop believing.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
STICK TO BASKETBALL INDIANA
During Penn State's days an an independent power, Beano Cook used to be fond of saying that The Berlin Wall would fall before Maryland defeated a Joe Paterno-coached Nittany Lion team (the Terps are 1-36-1 against PSU all-time). Now, after the twelfth victory in as many games against the Indiana Hoosiers, maybe it can be said that
The Lions improved to 10-1 after a 34-7 domination of the Hoosiers in a game that was as frustrating at times as it was one-sided. Statistically, the Lions dominated Indiana in first downs (23-6), yards (442-180) and time of possession (35:11 - 24:49) but missed a field goal and turned it over three times to keep the score from reflecting that. Tied 7-7 after the first 29 minutes of the game, a Kevin Kelly field goal with four seconds left on the first half clock marked the beginning of 27 unanswered points for the Lions that decided the game.
The game was marred by intermittent rain that turned heavy at times, but it would be unfair to attribute all of the Lions' mistakes to the awful weather conditions. Penn State was expected to use this game to answer the questions facing it after the disaster in Iowa City last week, but another lackluster performance by Daryll Clark, including three turnovers, did little to silence the critics of the first-year starter.
Once again the Lions started slowly, gaining 68 yards on their first 14 plays with two punts and a fumble to show for it. Penn State would sandwich another punt and a missed field goal between a touchdown pass and a Kelly three-pointer to cap its first-half scoring at ten points, tied for the second-fewest after two quarters all season.
Thanks to its smothering defense that allowed just 56 yards and two first downs in Indiana's seven second-half possessions, Penn State was able to put the game away after halftime and now can look forward to its "Big Ten Championship Game" against Michigan State next week.
Deon Butler, after failing to hang on to the first pass thrown to him, became the school's all-time leader in receptions early in the first quarter but was overshadowed by teammate Derrick Williams on this day. D-Wheels continues to embed himself in the hearts of Penn State fans with every game he plays. Against the Hoosiers, Williams racked up 164 total yards and two touchdowns. Amazingly, his 39-yard reception that went for a touchdown in the first quarter was the longest catch of his career.
Williams and his senior classmates are just four quarters away from bookending their careers with Big Ten Championships, but another effort like Saturday's likely won't be enough against Michigan State if the Lions want to book a trip to Pasadena.
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