Run down of JoePa's presser

Yeah, most of you already read something about this at another PSU blog. So, I'll spare you from a re-run. Joe Paterno sounded upbeat for the most part. He didn't want to talk about Maurice Evans or Abe Koroma, and fine, who cares? If we see them play, we see them play. I'm sure they'll dress, and the student section will call for them a few times. But doesn't anyone realize that Penn State has been tearing up opposing lines to the tune of 14 sacks, six of which came from Aaron Maybin alone? Oh yeah, and that little thing about Navorro Bowman being named Big Ten Co-Defensive POW? Joe just happens to approve in his somehow disapproving tone.

"But I thought both of them played well Saturday."

Yeah, well. The rest of the press conference covered the usual: What's it like on an 8 p.m. kickoff gameday? What do you remember about this really old game that has no impact on this week's game? Blah, blah. (Can you tell I don't really care about this post?) But what was really funny to me was Joe's answer to a really dumb question:

Q. What's been the key to the offensive success converting third downs?

Paterno: Well, I think people, obviously. I think the quarterbacks have done a good job. I think the play calling has been good. And we've got some people who can make some big plays.

Holy crap! I never would have thought that those factors all helped a football team convert third downs! I bet that quote's going in the lead of his story. I guess asking ridiculously obvious questions is my ticket to becoming a Penn State football beat writer.

I'm going to sleep. Check back tomorrow for my Penn State vs. Illinois game preview.