Review: Penn State 52, E. Illinois 3

Maybe, finally, this Penn State team is ready to roll. Following the Nittany Lions' second-straight 500-yard day on offense, and another dominating performance on defense, Penn State easily pounded FCS (I-AA) opponent Eastern Illinois this past Saturday. With nothing but Big Ten teams ahead of them, including Minnesota in a homecoming clash this week, last week's glorified scrimmage might just have been the last ingredient Penn State needed to cook up a championship season.

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

Offense

• Offensive Line: Penn State was missing both right tackles, starter Nerraw McCormack and backup/former starter DeOn'Tae Pannell, out with injuries. So, in stepped senior Ako Poti. Poti, and the rest of the Nittany Lions front line, brushed aside Eastern Illinois defenders like they weren't even there. Since the coaching staff settled on the current starting lineup -- LT Dennis Landolt, LG Johnnie Troutman, C Stefen Wisniewski, RG Lou Eliades -- even without McCormack in this week, the offensive line has played night-and-day better than it did through the Iowa game three weeks ago.

Stats: 7.9 yards per rush; NO sacks allowed

• Receivers: It was expected that Penn State's receivers wouldn't have to do much to gain a ton of yards this week. But that didn't mean the young guns didn't put on an impressive show Saturday. The wideouts looked sharp all around. Chaz Powell (4/79, TD) came down with one of the best catches I've seen this season, fighting through pass interference for the 51-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Graham Zug (1/24) and Derek Moye (2/43, TD) did what they had to do, playing like veterans. True frosh Justin Brown (3/45) made his first three career catches this week. He's played some this season, but had no receptions. Brown is big, tall, has tons of talent, and it's great the coaches are getting him involved early.

The tight end situation is great, but disappointing at the same time. I've fallen in love with what the staff has done to get Andrew Quarless (2/36) the ball so far.

The receivers did a great job blocking downfield this week. Hopefully, that's a sign of things to come, as Penn State will be sure to run more as the weather gets worse. One big block on the outside could mean the difference between gaining three yards or six points.

Stats: 13 receptions, 229 yards, 3 TD

• Running Backs: Evan Royster (8/94) ran for all his yards in the first half, as Stephfon Green (8/54, TD) took over full time after the break. Penn State ran Powell (1/19) and Devon Smith (1/18) from the receiver spots, but there wasn't a lot of trickery on offense. The backs ran straight ahead, mostly due to the offensive line opening mammoth running lanes.

Clark (4/11, TD) didn't have to run the ball much, scrambling once or twice, and sneaking it into the end zone from a yard out. I was really impressed by Kevin Newsome (7/49, TD), who ended the day as Penn State's No. 3 rusher. Newsome is easily one of the most all-around athletic player on Penn State's roster. His running style this week reminded me of Michael Robinson, who ran a bit more like a running back, lower to the ground than Clark's style.

Stats: (RB/QB only) 34 attempts, 248 yards, 3 TDs

• Quarterbacks: Daryll Clark (13-19/234, 3 TD, INT) looked calm and confident this week. Then again, how else should the 2008 All-Big Ten quarterback look against Eastern Illinois? The interception wasn't a huge deal, but I'd rather Clark just took the sack. It was a good day for Clark, but not great since it wasn't a tough opponent.

We waited nearly three full quarters to see Kevin Newsome (4-5/34) come in, so that was a little disappointing. However, the young gun played well and looked fantastic compared to his first couple games this season. As I mentioned earlier, I really like his running style.

Stats: 17-26, 268 yards, 3 TDs, INT

Defense

• Defensive Line: This was another unit that got a bunch of backups into the action. Earlier this week, Joe Paterno said Jordan Hill would burn his redshirt and play this week. He did, finishing the day with four stops. Nearly all of the regular defensive line starters had great days, as Jared Odrick (5 tkl, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks) turned in a huge performance, while Ollie Ogbu (2 tkl, 1.5 TFL, Sack, FF) and Jack Crawford (2 tkl, 1.5 TFL, Sack) were also everywhere, mostly in the Panthers' backfield. Kevion Latham (TFL), Eric Latimore (Tkl), Devon Still (PBU), Sean Stanley (PBU), James Terry (Tkl) and Jonathan Stewart (Tkl) all saw time. It was a very "play the rest of'em" kind of day.

Stats: 1.8 yards per rush allowed; 19 tackles, 8.5 TFL (-36), 4.0 sacks (-29), 3 PBU, Forced Fumble

• Linebackers: Just imagine if Sean Lee was on the field this whole time. Penn State's linebackers have been beaten up all season long, but now things are settling down. Lee is the only remaining big player out with injury. Good thing for the Nittany Lions that there are about a half dozen more linebackers behind him that could start for most BCS-level programs. Josh Hull (11 tkl) led the team in tackles once again, while Navorro Bowman (5 tkl, 3.5 TFL, FR TD, PBU) is pushing his way back into All-America consideration. Bowman's 91-yard fumble return touchdown was easily the play of the game, as Eastern Illinois was threatening to score from the nine yard line.

In his first significant action as a Nittany Lion, junior Chris Colasanti (6 tkl, TFL, Sack) played very well. I wouldn't be surprised to see him more as the season goes on. He's a big time talent that you'd hate to see riding the bench.

Stats: 29 tackles, 3.5 TFL (-6), Sack (-1), FR for TD (91 yds)

• Defensive Backfield: Eastern Illinois never really tested Penn State's secondary, but was able to find some holes in the zone coverage. This unit was masked by the defensive line's ability to pressure the Panthers' pocket and force throws. AJ Wallace (7 tkl, INT) did come up with a nice pick over his shoulder; he now leads the team with two.

Next week against Adam Weber and Eric Decker will be very interesting.

Stats: 26 Tkl, PBU, INT

Special Teams

• Kicking/Punting: The kicking game wasn't really needed this past weekend, as Colin Wagner (1/1, Lng 25; 8 KO, 63.4) remained steady, and Ryan Breen (70 yd KO) got to launch one kickoff. Jeremy Boone (40.0 YPP) was as good as always.

• Returns/Coverage: The return game took a twist this week, as Justin Brown (3/24, Lng 20) was given a tryout after halftime, and actually made something out of his returns. Then again, when the returns have been this terrible, anything is better. I'm looking forward to seeing if the coaches stick with Brown next week.

Andrew Dailey (Tkl, Blkd) set up a Penn State touchdown with a blocked punt, which is exactly the kind of plays the Lions will need at some point during the second half of the season. Coverage overall was decent this week, but not fantastic.

Overall

I apologize for this review being so late. You see, this game was really a glorified scrimmage. So, what could we really learn from it? The young guys were able to get some good playing time, and the starters were given easy reps against a living, breathing opponent. Most of the time, teams will play down to their opponents, and frankly, I was afraid of that against Eastern Illinois. Penn State proved me wrong, winning the way a good team should.

There is not much else to take away from this game. I look forward to the day Penn State stops scheduling FCS/I-AA teams, but it doesn't look like that will happen any time soon.

• Official Stats, via GoPSUSports.com:

Full Box Score

Post Game Quotes

Post Game Notes