CFI: 'CATS BOUNCIN’ BACK

BY PAUL ASPAN
PENN ST. INSIDER

Penn State (6-3, 3-3) looks for its defense to reassert itself this weekend when it hosts Big Ten opponent Purdue (7-2, 3-2). The Lions showcased a top ten defense for the first seven games of the season, but the last two weeks have been a different story. PSU’s defense has given up 63 points and 839 yards in its last two games. They’ve been a bit banged up – losing defensive end Jerome Hayes (knee), defensive tackle Jared Odrick (ankle) and safety Tony Davis (appendectomy) - but they didn’t even force a punt against Ohio State last week.

The Lions were equally bad against the run and the pass against the Buckeyes, but the secondary has been a real question mark lately. They’ve given up 571 yards in the air the last two weeks. Losing Davis hurt, and defensive backs Justin King and Lydell Sargeant have struggled. Indiana’s Jeff Hardy (142 yd, 2 TD) had a monster day against the Penn State secondary. And after the Lions went up 7-3 against OSU, they allowed a 60-yard pass from Todd Boeckman to Ray Small, which led to Ohio State retaking the lead. It’s not going to get any easier for the secondary this week as they’ll go up against the Big Ten’s leading receiver Dorien Bryant.

Bryant is part of a Boilermaker offense that passes the ball almost 45 times and averages 285 yards per game through the air. King and company could use some help from the Penn State pass rush to throw off Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter. Led by Maurice Evans, the Lions are second in the nation with four sacks per game, but got to Boeckman only once last week.

These two teams are similar in that they have decent records, but neither one has a marquee win. The Lions have a chance to close out the home portion of its schedule strong after a poor showing against top ranked Ohio State a week ago. Senior Linebacker Dan Connor will headline the senior day atmosphere as he enters the game just four tackles short of the school record of 372 set last year by Paul Posluszny.

Big-game hype descends on Happy Valley as PSU preps for No. 1 OSU

By GENARO C. ARMAS
AP Sports Writer

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Justin King has had a little extra spring in his step this week in practice.

Top-ranked Ohio State is coming to Happy Valley.

``Obviously, everyone says you have to remain the same, that it's just another team,'' the Penn State cornerback said Tuesday. ``But of course, we'll approach it with more intensity, and be ready to play. You only get the No. 1 team so many times.''

King was a 2-year-old the only other time a No. 1 team came to Beaver Stadium, when Notre Dame defeated Penn State, 34-23 on Nov. 18, 1989.

Fans of No. 24 Penn State (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) are eager to see a different outcome Saturday night.

``Beat Ohio State'' T-shirts have popped up in storefronts. Students anxious for good seats have already set up camp at ``Paternoville,'' the tent city that sprouts up outside Beaver Stadium the week of big games.

Some players are remarking that even 80-year-old coach Joe Paterno has been a little more animated than usual getting ready for Ohio State (8-0, 4-0).

``If you can't get excited about that, then I think maybe you get out of it,'' said Paterno, in his 42nd season as head coach. ``It's a big game for where we're going to go with this football team.''

A win over the Buckeyes and Penn State will likely rocket up the polls and strengthen their credentials for a New Year's Day bowl.

But it's going to be far from easy.

Ohio State boasts the nation's stingiest defense (7.8 points and 208.5 yards per game) and is second against the run (62.3 yards) and pass (146.1 yards).

It has been more than enough support for the offense (34.2 points), which got a career-high 221 yards from tailback Chris Wells in last week's 24-17 win over Michigan State.

No wonder Ohio State has won a school-record 26 straight regular-season games.

Their last defeat? A 17-10 loss to Penn State on Oct. 8, 2005 - the last time the Buckeyes came to Beaver Stadium.

``Anytime you lose to a team, you want to redeem yourself. Penn State and Ohio State the last couple years have developed a little bit of a rivalry,'' Buckeyes cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. ``This year, there's going to be a lot of hype around the game. It's going to be a very intense environment.''

Complicating matters this time around for Paterno is a growing injury list. Starting fullback Matt Hahn, a solid all-around senior, suffered a season-ending right knee injury last week in the 36-31 win over Indiana and may prove difficult to replace.

Guard Mike Lucian, who has started five games this year, will likely sit out a second straight game after suffering a concussion, Paterno said.

Also, tailback Austin Scott remains suspended after being charged earlier this month with the rape of a fellow student at his on-campus apartment.

On defense, starting defensive tackle Jared Odrick is out for the year after breaking his right ankle during the Indiana game. That injury came a week after backup defensive end Jerome Hayes suffered a season-ending injury to his right knee.

The Nittany Lions, who have an emerging star in defensive end Maurice Evans (10 1/2 sacks), should have the line depth to withstand those setbacks.

``It has been a tough year for us physically, plus a couple of distractions,'' Paterno said.

The solid defense wants to get back to its stingy ways after giving up 31 points to the Hoosiers.

``That was tough to swallow. It wasn't one of our best wins,'' linebacker Dan Connor said. ``But it was a win and gives us a chance to see where we need to improve on in different aspects of the game.''

With big-game hype having already descended on Happy Valley, Paterno will try to keep his team as grounded as possible in practice as they prepare for what is expected to be a raucous atmosphere Saturday night.

``You try to practice the same way, get in a routine,'' said Paterno, whose 369 career wins are just one behind Florida State's Bobby Bowden for most victories among major college coaches.

``It's not really a big deal. I think it is for the fans,'' Paterno said about the evening start, drawing chuckles. ``They tailgate a little longer.''

Source: ncaafootball; Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

TEN PRO PROSPECTS FROM THE BIG TEN

BY MICK MILLER
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDERS
BIG TEN WRITER


The Big Ten continues to cultivate, and the National Football League salivates. Some of the top talent and impact players that college football has to offer comes from the Big Ten, which produced 32 players in the 2007 NFL Draft, including two of the top five in Wisconsin left tackles Joe Thomas (#3) and Penn State’s Levi Brown (#5). In all, six went in the first round, with Ted Ginn of Ohio State (#9), Michigan’s Leon Hall (#18), Anthony Spencer of Purdue (#26) and Ginn’s fellow OSU wide out Anthony Gonzalez (#32).

This year’s crop is just as bountiful as these ten players will provide teams at the next level cornerstones to build upon.

1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan – The draft status of both Thomas and Brown gives us an idea into the draft potential of Long. It was Long, not Thomas, who won the conference’s Lineman of the Year award, to go along was First-Team All-Big Ten and a consensus All-American selections. Considering where Thomas and Brown were selected, Long’s potential certainly places him in the top five.

2. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State – Although Buffalo Bill draftee Paul Posluszny got all the print, Connor had the better season from the opening kick. He also was a Bednarik finalist last season and his 113 tackles (including nine for a loss) has placed him 99 tackles behind Posluszny’s newly established school record. Some experts consider him a better linebacker prospect than Posluszny.

3. James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State – The Bronco Nagurski Award (nation’s top defensive player) winner had a solid 2006 season and led the Buckeyes with five interceptions from his linebacker spot as he chalked up 115 tackles and four sacks to boot. Said to be not as athletic as former first rounder A.J. Hawk, he will be equally productive in college and at the next level.

4. Justin King, CB, Penn State – How happy is the valley with this Thorpe Award candidate and possibly the first defensive back off the board when he decides to leave for the pros? King has the size (6-0, 186), the speed (4.38) and versatility (Dean’s List in ’05 and Academic All-Big Ten in ’06) to improve on a 2006 when he was selected to the Second Team All-Big Ten. Claiming to be the healthiest he has ever been, coaches are expecting a monumental year.

5. Jack Ikegwuono, CB, Wisconsin – Big (6-1, 199 lbs) and fast, Ikegwuono ran down Arkansas all-world running back Darren McFadden from behind on the opening drive of the Capital One Bowl when it appeared to be a sure touchdown. This play not only displayed the measurables, but showed the type of heart this Badger plays with as well. It fueled the Badgers to a 17-14 win in the bowl game and will carry over into this season. He only had two interceptions, as teams simply threw away from him.

6. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State – Another big (6-1, 202 lbs) corner who simply takes half the field away from opposing offenses. With 4.3 speed and solid tackling ability, he has NFL written all over him. He had four interceptions last season, including a 61-yard for a touchdown on one of his picks. Jenkins was First Team All-Big Ten and after a huge sophomore year, the sky is the limit.

7. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State – A Second Team All-Big Ten selection last season, Gholston led the Buckeyes with 8.5 sacks while starting all 13 contests. The 6-4, 260 pound junior runs a sub-4.7 forty and looks to pick up the slack on a defensive line that lost three seniors. Having the benefit of a redshirt freshman year could vault Gholston into the first round in the 2008 NFL Draft.

8. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan – A starter since his freshman year, Henne had a solid 2006 with 2,508 yards, 22 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions. In his three seasons in Ann Arbor, he has thrown for 7,777 yards, 70 touchdown passes, and 28 interceptions. With an intact offense coming back and some shootouts bound to come his way this season, Henne could topple all of the Michigan passing records this season and take his place amongst other NFL Wolverine quarterbacks.

9. Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State – A mountain of a man in the midst of a Buckeye reload could be a top ten pick in the 2008 Draft if he comes on with a strong junior campaign. Considered the best offensive line prospect since Orlando Pace, who himself went number one overall. A poor showing in the National Championship loss to Florida has placed a chip on his shoulder and he is out to prove himself.

10. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan – Derailed by injury last season, Manningham stepped his summer training regimen by working out with quarterback Chad Henne and the rest of the Wolverine receivers on routes, fundamentals, and overall conditioning. At 6-0 and 181 pounds, Manningham is electric on the outside and opens everything up for the Maize and Blue underneath. A big game performer in the clutch, he is looking to explode this season and take his place amongst the greats at the U of M at the receiver position.

THE CFI TOP 25 COUNTDOWN: #23 PENN ST. NITTANY LIONS

BY DANIEL MOGOLLON
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDERS CO-FOUNDER


2006 RECORD: 9-4; BIG TEN: 5-3
Won Outback Bowl vs. Tennessee 20-10
LOCATION: State College, Pennsylvania
STADIUM: Beaver Stadium (107,282)
HEAD COACH: Joe Paterno
OVERALL: 363-181-3 (41 seasons)
AT PENN ST.: 363-181-3 (41 seasons)

The Nittany Lions roster is stocked with four and five star recruits, including quarterback Anthony Morelli, wide receiver Derrick Williams, linebacker Dan Connor as well as corners Justin King and A.J. Wallace, a quartet of five-star prospects. The question is can they put it together the way their veteran squad did two seasons ago under the leadership of Michael Robinson. You might say the won nine games last season, so how far do they have to go? A closer examination shows they were just 2-4 against Division 1A teams that finished with winning records.

WHEN THE CATS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINAROR: Galen Hall (4th Season)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
KEY LOSSES: Tony Hunt, Levi Brown

The player who must step up more than any other is the signal caller Anthony Morelli who has the physical ability, as well as the weapons on the perimeter to lead an explosive aerial attack. He threw for just 11 TDs and completed a mere 53.9 percent of his passes, numbers he will have to vastly improve upon without increasing his interceptions (eight). At receiver, Derrick Williams has boundless potential, but in two seasons in College Station, he has 62 total receptions for 729 yards and two touchdowns, numbers he could surpass this year if he breaks out. Last season, he trailed both Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood, a duo that maximizes their ability. At tailback, Austin Scott is another highly touted recruit who has yet to put it together. With Scott redshirting the 2006 season with an injury, Tony Hunt flourished, which is what PSU needs the shiftier Scott to do. Everyone must rely on a suspect offensive line, which has to replace top ten pick Levi Brown. How much do they need help in the trenches? JoePa reached out to the Junior College level for the first time in over 20 years to seize not one, but two JC offensive lineman. Keep an eye out for sophomore tight end Andrew Quarless, a threat down the field, which can open things up for his receivers.

PRO PROSPECTS: 1) Andrew Quarless (SO), 2) Derrick Williams (JR), 3) Anthony Morelli (SR), 4) Austin Scott (SR), 5) A.Q. Shipley (JR), 6) Matt Hahn (SR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINAROR: Dick Bumpas (4th Season)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
KEY LOSSES: Paul Posluszny, Tim Shaw, Jay Alford, Ed Johnson

The back seven can rival almost any around the country. They will not even miss two time Bednarik Award winner Paul Posluszny, as the speedy Dan Connor moves over to the MIKE spot. Connor is 6’3”/230 with more speed and upside than Posluszny making him a sure fire first round draft pick in the 2008 Draft. Playing the role of wingman is Sean Lee, yet another linebacker with size and speed. Linebacker U is at full strength. Their corners could be even better with Justin King returning and A.J. Wallace stepping into the starting lineup. King is as good a lockdown cover man as there is, with true sophomore Wallace cut from a similar cloth. Both are playmakers capable of contributing on special teams and each saw playtime on offense in their freshman seasons. The only potential weakness is along the line of scrimmage where they lose two experienced tackles. Sophomore end Maurice Evans has the ability to be an impact player coming off the edge.

PRO PROSPECTS: 1) Dan Connor (SR), 2) Justin King (JR), 3) A.J. Wallace (SO), 4) Sean Lee (JR), 5) Maurice Evans (SO), 6) Anthony Scirrotto (JR)

THE SCHEDULE

If the Nittany Lions hope to do better than they did last season, they will have to deliver some payback early and often. Week two they play Notre Dame, who beat them up 41-17 last season, two weeks later they travel to Ann Arbor. The last time they beat the Wolverines was back in 1996, as the losing streak is up to eight in a row. They did not lose to Iowa last year, because they did not play, as the Hawkeyes have dropped them in five straight contests. PSU hosts Ohio St. and Wisconsin, two more clubs that defeated them last season, with the Buckeyes having won four of their last five and Wisky three out of four head-to-head.

PIVOTAL POINT

Will that talent pay off in the field? Anthony Morelli, five-star recruit, enters his senior season with 12 career TD passes, after finishing his junior campaign as the ninth rated quarterback in the Big Ten in terms of efficiency. Derrick Williams, five-star recruit, enters his junior season with two touchdown catches in his career, while averaging around 12 yards per reception. Austin Scott, four-star recruit, enters his senior season with 1021 career yards. If PSU is to reach double figures in wins, all three will have to exceed their career numbers this season.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

JoePa still knows how to coach and he does well when he has the time to teach, just look at Penn St.’s Bowl record, so if PSU takes off this season after spring ball and fall camp I would not be the least bit surprised. However, until they actually do it on the field they do not deserve a high ranking. The Nittany Lions could do as well as challenge the Wolverines for supremacy or finish up as just a middle of the pack Big Ten team. As much talent as they possess on defense, I am not a Morelli believer and there is no reason a team that has questions on both lines should be ranked any higher.

Check back tomorrow to see who is #22 in CFI’s Top 25 Countdown