Top-10 showdown in the Horseshoe
Sports Network | October 22, 2008
Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - The top two teams in the Big Ten will get together this weekend in Columbus in a top-10 showdown, as the 10th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes play host to the third-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.
Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions have certainly looked the part of a national title contender thus far in 2008, winning all eight of their games in impressive fashion, including overcoming a sluggish start last weekend against Michigan, to eventually overwhelm the visiting Wolverines in Happy Valley, 46-17.
The Buckeyes have just one loss on their record, that coming on the road at USC in mid-September. Since then, Jim Tressel's squad has posted five straight wins, including its most impressive to date, a 45-7 whipping of a good Michigan State program last weekend. With the win, OSU moved to 4-0 in league play, tied with Penn State atop the Big Ten standings.
Ohio State has won each of the last two meetings to take a 12-11 lead in the all-time series with Penn State. Penn State is 0-7 in Columbus as part of the Big Ten and hasn't won there since 1978.
The Nittany Lions showed in three quarters against Michigan, why they are one of the nation's most dangerous offensive squads. All-American candidate Evan Royster was phenomenal in the win, toting the ball just 18 times, but going for a career-high 174 yards (9.7 ypc) with one TD. Royster has been one of the real pleasant surprises for JoePa this season, as the 6-1, 211-pounder has rushed for 893 yards (7.7 ypc) with 10 TDs.
Quarterback Daryll Clark has also emerged as one of the Big Ten's top field generals, completing 63.3 percent of his passes, for 1,531 yards, with 11 TDs and just two INTs. He also is a threat to run with the ball, as evidenced by his 190 yards and eight rushing scores. Clark's play has not gone unnoticed by coaches around the league, including Tressel.
"I think the fact that Daryll Clark has taken over as quarterback, he adds that dimension of excellent passing like the Penn State quarterbacks always do, but he gives you that run dimension like Michael Robinson did for them a few years ago. I think he gives an excellent leadership dimension. He's a guy that he's put his work in and he's waited for his opportunity and he's made the best of his opportunity"
When he does go back in the pocket and look downfield, there are a number of reliable targets to go to, including WRs Deon Butler (30 receptions, for 486 yards, three TDs), Jordan Norwood (25 receptions, for 405 yards, five TDs) and Derrick Williams (25 reception, for 282 yards, one TD).
While the offense has gotten a lot of the press thus far for Penn State, the defense has proved to be just as productive, allowing a mere 11.8 ppg thus far, while showing the ability to stop the run and the pass. Teams are averaging a rather paltry 263.2 yards of total offense against the Lions, who rank eighth nationally in that category.
The defensive line has to be given a lot of credit and is regarded as one of the top units in the country. Penn State has generated a remarkable 52 TFLs in the first eight games, including 23 sacks.
Defensive end Aaron Maybin has been the top performer in that regard. Of his 33 total tackles, 14.5 have come in opposing backfields, including 10 sacks. Throw in the versatile Josh Gaines (26 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks) and last year's All-American Maurice Evans (17 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks) and it is difficult to keep these Nittany Lions at bay.
The team lost standout LB Sean Lee before the season began, but Navarro Bowman has picked up the slack and is emerging as the next great player at Linebacker U. Bowman leads the team in total tackles by a large margin (71), with 9.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, one INT and two forced fumbles.
The Ohio State offense will have the daunting task of trying to move up and down the field on one of the better defenses in the nation. However, with freshman sensation Terrelle Pryor under center now, the OSU offense is much more explosive. Against Michigan State last week, Pryor threw for 116 yards and one TD, while rushing for 72 yards and another score. All-American tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells was instrumental in the big win as well, adding 140 yards rushing and one TD.
Pryor has been successful both passing and rushing the ball this year. He has completed 65.6 percent of his passes thus far, for 653 yards, with six TDs and just two picks. He has also rushed for 411 yards on the season, with five more TDs.
Joe Paterno has nothing but high praise for Pryor.
"I think he is a heck of a player right now. I think he's got everything to be a great player. He's a good kid. He's got a lot of poise and he handles pressure not only on the field, but also off the field. He knows what's going on, and each week he's getting better."
Wells missed some time with a foot injury, but has recovered to give the team a real workhorse in the backfield. He is averaging 123.8 yards per game on 6.1 yards per carry and has four TDs to his credit in five games played.
When the Buckeyes do look to pass the ball, Brian Robiskie is the primary target, with 26 receptions, for 242 yards and five TDs.
Ohio State's defense is every bit as good as Penn State's, if not better. The Buckeyes have effectively shut down both the run (97.1 ypg) and the pass this year (168.2 ypg), while recording 21 takeaways, including 12 INTs.
It all starts with Butkus Award winner James Laurinaitis in the middle of the field. The veteran linebacker is having another phenomenal season, leading the team in tackles with 78. Marcus Freeman is another of OSU's talented linebackers, ranking second on the team in tackles (50), but first in sacks (3.5).
The secondary is highlighted by one of the nation's best DBs in senior corner Malcolm Jenkins. The 6-1 200-pounder has 36 tackles on the year, with one sack, three INTs and two forced fumbles. He gets plenty of help in the secondary from junior safety Kurt Coleman (32 tackles, three INTs).
The defensive line is not as productive as in years past, but sophomore rush end Thaddeus Gibson has shown glimpses up front, with five TFLs and three sacks thus far.
