Review, Game 9: Penn State 13, Ohio State 6

Well, they did it. Penn State went on the road and actually beat a top-10 team. How did they do it? I’m not really sure, but I intend to do my best to figure it out today. I’ll go through each unit and the coaching, sizing up how each one did in Columbus.

OFFENSE :: C-

Line – Let’s face it, Penn State hadn’t seen a defensive front like this all year. Ohio State is good up there, very good, and Penn State did an “okay” job neutralizing the Buckeye pressure and penetration–hold the jokes, please. The pass blocking did the job, but there were some issues when Ohio State overloaded on one side of a blitz. I was very happy with Gerald Cadogan’s run blocking, especially when he was pulling as almost a lead blocker. The middle of the line had problems opening up running lanes, but that could be attributed to Ohio State’s commitment to just rush everyone all the time. It kind of reminded me of NCAA 09. But I think the Lions’ front held up nicely, and grew stronger as the game wore on, something they’ll need if Penn State faces Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma or USC in the bowl game.

Receivers – Where were these guys? I must congratulate Ohio State for covering Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood better than any team in the last four years. They didn’t get open, and when they were, Daryll Clark never saw them because of the defensive pressure up front. The biggest impact any of these guys had on the outcome was Williams drawing pass interference on the touchdown drive. Even their downfield blocking was off. Both Butler and Williams couldn’t sustain outside blocks, some of which could have sprung the rusher to bigger gains. On the up side, Graham Zug’s catch was great. That’s about it, though. Oh yeah, and does Penn State even have tight ends anymore? Yeah, I know they do, but not like they’re ever used.

Quarterbacks – Was Clark hurt? Probably. Did it seem weird that he reacted that way on the sidelines? Yeah. I don’t know what really happened when Clark was taken out, but you can’t be disappointed with Pat Devlin’s ability to step in and lead the offense. I know, he only threw one pass, and it wasn’t even counted due to the penalty. But you could see his demeanor, and it was just as cool and calm as Clark. Now back to Clark’s performance. He wasn’t very good in the ‘Shoe, but he wasn’t really bad. I would have liked to see Clark move out of the pocket more, instead of assuming he’d have the kind of time to throw he’s enjoyed all year. I guess when Penn State’s quarterback doesn’t throw a pick-six against Ohio State, it’s a good day.

Rushers – Considering how well Ohio State was stopping the Penn State run game, Royster, Green and Clark did a very good job churning out some yards. Out gaining the Buckeyes by almost 100 yards (160-61), Evan Royster showed why he’s one of the best backs no one is really talking about. He was somewhat neutralized through most of the game, but really turned it on in the fourth quarter. Royster’s 9 and 10-yard runs really stuck the dagger in Ohio State’s defense’s heart. But let’s not forget the very nice runs by Stephfon Green, who replaced Royster on a few series. He hit the hole so quick, James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman didn’t know he was already through. It was a great change-of-pace move, at the perfect time.

DEFENSE :: A+

Line – It figures that Aaron Maybin logged the only sack by Penn State, but we cannot appreciate enough the job Jared Odrick does in the middle. This is one of the best defensive lines I’ve ever seen at Penn State–including the 2002, 2005 and 2006 editions. But it wasn’t just Penn State’s ability to speed rush around the Ohio State tackles, or swim through the guards and center. No, it was that the defensive linemen basically never missed a tackle, and that was the key to stopping Chris “Beanie” Wells. You remember him, right? He used to be the near-lock to win the Heisman. The defensive line play was the cornerstone of a top effort by the Penn State defense. Larry Johnson, Sr., how do you do it?

Linebackers – Entering the showdown in Columbus, Butkus-winner and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, James Laurinaitis was the marquee linebacker in this game. Well, Mr. Laurinaitis, you just got served, by a sophomore. Navorro Bowman, while not exactly making us all forget about Sean Lee, has rapidly emerged as the best linebacker in the Big Ten. He’s leading the team in tackles, and has been everywhere, on almost every play. But on Saturday, one play really stuck out. When Bowman perfectly baited Terrelle Pryor into throwing right at him. No, he didn’t intercept it, but it sure did scare the crap out of Pryor and the Buckeyes. That would have ended the game right there. But the linebackers as a unit played very, very well. Like the defensive line, these guys just didn’t miss tackles.

Secondary – This was an up and down game for the defensive backs. Penn State played them close to the line all night for run support. It worked. But when Terrelle Pryor had time to throw, it didn’t work. It’s easy to remember the broken coverage when Ohio State was pinned deep, allowing a huge gain. But let’s not forget that the secondary made the two plays that won the game. Mark Rubin played like a man possessed, and not just on the forced fumble. He was making tackles all over the place, and stopped Wells dead in his tracks more than a few times. Rubin was named Big Ten and Walter Camp player of the week, and earned every bit of it. I can’t leave out Lydell Sargeant. The interception was something to behold, but the pass breakups were even better. Okay, maybe not, but they were still fantastic.

SPECIAL TEAMS :: B+

Kickers – I was a more than a tad upset when Kevin Kelly missed the fourth-quarter field goal, but he was two for three, and two outta three ain’t bad. Prior to the game, the staff felt confident he could perform under pressure, and really, he did. Jeremy Boone was a huge factor in the field position game. He was launching bombs all night, and kept the Ohio State offense pinned deep. If even one of his punts went awry, things might have been very different. But he was precise and powerful, a nice combination.

Returners – There wasn’t much to talk about here. It would have been the perfect game for Williams or Chaz Powell to make a big play, but there were no major screw ups by the returners.

Coverage – I don’t think it was this, but didn’t it seem like the Ohio State returners were so afraid of Nate Stupar and the Penn State kick coverage unit, that they couldn’t even concentrate on fielding the kick? No, you’re right, it probably wasn’t that. But Ohio State never got a good return.

COACHES :: C

I would have given the coaching staff an “F” if it weren’t for Tom Bradley’s defensive guys. So the grade is a bit misleading. We all know how well the defensive scheme was set up to deal with the Ohio State offense, so let me just talk about the Penn State offensive staff. The first drive Penn State put together was crisp, clean and fast. No, they didn’t score, but the first toss to Williams gained 14 yards, and the second play, a pass to Brett Brackett gained 18 yards. That’s the “Spread HD” we’re used to. Confuse the defense, use quick-hitting plays, and get Clark moving. But I don’t know what happened after that first series. Penn State tightened up, rarely throwing past the first down marker. Wow, does that sound like vintage-2004 or what? Where were the throws over the middle to loosen up the outside, or the outside power-O runs with Royster? This offense shut down on its own, as much as it was shut down by Ohio State’s defense. Penn State has four weeks to make a move on Alabama and Texas, and scoring 13 points–whether you agree with it or not, it is what it is–won’t get Penn State over those two. The margin of victory the last three games has to be at least 20 points per game.