Review: Penn State 35, Illinois 17

Ok, so it was Illinois, but Penn State rebounded rather nicely this past Saturday, a week after The Great Implosion of 2009. The Lions took about 30 minutes to get where it needed to be on offense, but came through with utter dominance over a Big Ten foe.

In today's game review, we'll break down Penn State's unit by unit performance.

Offense

• Offensive Line: Illinois is not the worst team Penn State has faced all season, despite what common opinion implies here. That being said, the Lions offensive line, particularly in the second half, woke up from its five-game slumber to plow holes for the runners, and keep Daryll Clark upright the entire game. Lions fans haven't seen a truly average offensive line in a few seasons. This group looked very much average, until Saturday in Champaign. Whether it was the personnel changes or play-calling adjustments (more on that later), Penn State's performance up front offensively made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Not sure why that particular feeling, but it felt good.

I really like the new lineup for this week. Nerraw McCormack at right tackle and Johnnie Troutman holding onto his starting left guard slot has made a huge difference in the overall production along the line. I hate to put down the younger guys, but it just didn't seem Matt Stankiewitch and DeOn'Tae Pannell were ready to become full-time starters. They will be fantastic some day, but not yet.

As for the three who have held onto their jobs from the beginning -- LT Dennis Landolt, C Stefen Wisniewski, RG Lou Eliades -- it felt like they stepped up their game as well this week. I'd imagine the confidence level of the entire line improves greatly when you're not worrying if the other guy can do his own job or not.

Stats: 8.4 yards per rush (that's not a typo); NO sacks allowed

• Receivers: Penn State did just enough in the passing game to allow the run game to breath. So, as you would expect, the receivers didn't get to do much outside of some very nice catches on third down to keep the chains moving. Of course, that's nothing to scoff at by any means. The pure wide-receivers did not wow anyone this week, but they weren't asked to.

However, I have been thoroughly impressed by the staff's use of the tight ends this year. The strategy seems to be pushing the ball towards Andrew Quarless (5/26), and I love it. Quarless was the team leader in receptions, with some really great hands on third down. He was always there (and open) when Clark needed to get rid of the ball. Now, if only they can get him in open field more often.

Oh, and don't look too deeply into Derek Moye's rather flat performance (4/57). His early drop and later fumble didn't seem to be anything more than some hiccups. Also, I thought Graham Zug (3/28) made that one catch, but wasn't shocked they called it incomplete.

Stats: 15 receptions, 144 yards

• Running Backs: You can't let the dogs out without opening the gate. It was so nice to see Evan Royster (17/105, TD) and Stephfon Green (13/120, TD) have a combined game like we've been dreaming of since August 2008. When Green busted that long 52-yarder, I thought the coaches would just keep with him and essentially sit Royster for the day. Fortunately, I was wrong. Royster gained more yards each carry as the game clock ticked away, while Green remained the virtual co-starter. It was a banner performance from Penn State's running back corps.

Jay Paterno and the players confessed to some pretty nifty halftime adjustments against Illinois, highlighted by the emergence of Clark (7/83, 2 TD) as the running threat we remember him being in 2008. While the running backs were chewing up yards, Penn State went in for the kill, loosing Clark on quarterback draws right up the gut of that Illinois front seven. It was one of the best coaching jobs I've seen at Penn State in a long time.

Hell, even Brent Carter (2/14, TD) reached the end zone!

Stats: (RB/QB only) 40 attempts, 338 yards, 5 TDs

• Quarterbacks: Clark has to be given a rhythm. It's really come down to something as simple as that. Once Clark (17-25/175) makes a few good throws, and doesn't have to worry about getting smacked every time he drops back, he's the best quarterback in the Big Ten. Against Illinois, the offensive line was bullying the Illini front, the running backs were tearing up the field, and the receivers were open and not dropping passes. I know, Clark shouldn't need perfect conditions to play well. But he wasn't asked to do much this week, so it was easier for him to look good.

After the Iowa debacle, I'll take it.

Stats: 17-25, 175 yards

Defense

• Defensive Line: Illinois had success early on the inside, as Penn State was struggling to contain the inside zone-read runs by Juice Williams and the Illini running backs. But once Penn State made some adjustments, the pressure had a big impact on how Illinois attacked the defense. The Penn State tackles -- Jared Odrick (2 tkl), Ollie Ogbu (tkl) and Devon Still (2 tkl) -- didn't log any big stats for the day, but they were key in sealing off the middle running lanes, while allowing the defensive ends to flush Williams from the pocket.

The weakest part of the line coming into the season, defensive end, has risen to the occasion in every game. Not only has Jack Crawford (4 tkl, 1.5 TFL, Sack, FR) emerged as the premier pass rusher, Eric Latimore (5 tkl, 2 TFL, Sack) continues his ascension into a co-starter role with Jerome Hayes (tkl, TFL). True freshman Sean Stanley (2 tkl, TFL, Sack, FF) is now a regular in the ends rotation, giving fans something to look forward to the next few years. But it was Crawford's play that forced Williams into an intentional grounding call that changed the complexion of the game last week.

Stats: 3.7 yards per rush allowed; 17 tackles, 5.0 TFL (-25), 3.0 sacks (-23), QBH, Forced Fumble, Fumble Recovery

• Linebackers: For weeks, Penn State was dropping Josh Hull back into coverage. Not so much these days, as Hull (11 tkl, TFL) was sent early and often on blitzes designed to force Williams to either get rid of the ball or get out of the pocket. We saw a little bit of this against Iowa, but it was brought out in full force this week, with big returns. Hull has really stepped up as the only linebacker to start every game this season. He has displayed the kind of senior leadership a championship team needs.

You can't deny that Illinois wanted to keep the plays away from Navorro Bowman (7 tkl, TFL), as the Illini went right after Bani Gbadyu (8 tkl). I thought Gbadyu did very well against a really good Illinois attack. This unit has no fewer than five guys who could start a game and not miss a beat. I'm not sure we will see Sean Lee (out) this upcoming week against Eastern Illinois, and that's a good thing. This is essentially a bye week, so rest up, Sean.

Stats: 29 tackles, 2 TFL (-10)

• Defensive Backfield: It was scary early on, but fantastic the rest of the game. The secondary's performance ebbed and flowed depending on whether or not Tom Bradley dialed up the blitz. When Williams had time to throw, he found gaping holes in the zone coverage. But when forced to throw in the flats, underneath, or scramble for his life, Penn State's defensive backs were there to make the stops. That's how Penn State's defense works.

While the yards were piling up in the first half, and in the final quarter, Penn State never gave up any big plays that mattered. The worst series for this unit was before halftime, but again, that bogged down due to Penn State's blitzes. Hmm, maybe that's something they should do more often.

All of the regular starters were fine, as usually, but I have been very impressed this season by freshman Stephon Morris. He has made all the tackles and can read plays like an upperclassman. Williams threw to a receiver hovering near the sideline, but the play didn't go anywhere. Morris was closing on the receiver before the ball was halfway there.

Stats: 23 Tkl, PBU, INT (70 yds)

Special Teams

• Kicking/Punting: Maybe Penn State just needs to score touchdowns all the time. Then, there's no worry about Colin Wagner missing a field goal try. I shouldn't dog Wagner (6 KO, 62.7 avg). He's done well, so I won't complain. His kickoffs against Illinois were good, all kept under wraps on the returns.

Jeremy Boone (49.5 YPP, 2 inside the 5YL) was his usual fantastic self this week, earning Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts. Boone is pushing hard for Ray Guy Award consideration.

• Returns/Coverage: This is getting on my nerves. I think I say that every week, but now it's becoming a much bigger problem. The kick and punt return coverage has been much better, giving up only one decent return, a 33-yarder by Arrelious Benn. However, the Penn State return game is virtually non-existent at this point in the season. AJ Wallace had two returns for 21 yards. For one of the best return specialists in the conference, that's inexcusable. But it's all about the blocking. Don't even get me started on the punt return situation.

Overall

Where will Penn State go from here? For the first time this season, the Nittany Lions finished a game stronger than they started it. They dispatched Illinois the way a Big Ten title contender should a mediocre opponent. Hosting Eastern Illinois won't allow Penn State to keep up any momentum from the Illinois win, but it might give them time to figure out exactly what has worked so far this year (running Clark; blitzing five and six), and what hasn't (restricting Clark to the pocket; dropping seven into coverage). I'd expect the coaching staff to keep most of the offense under wraps this week, even though after the Illinois win, Joe Paterno said they will run Clark much more as the season goes on.

Penn State might have just grown up this past Saturday. But we won't know for sure until Minnesota comes to town in two weeks. For now, the Lions just need to keep their heads up and take care of business.

• Official Stats, via GoPSUSports.com:

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