Paterno’s gang returns to national spotlight
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Joe Paterno’s team is back to where some thought the 78-year-old coach could no longer take Penn State:
Back on top of the Big Ten Conference and back in the hunt for a national title.
Michael Robinson and Derrick Williams ran for touchdowns less than 3 minutes apart in the second quarter, and Paul Posluszny and the Nittany Lions’ defense did the rest in a 17-10 victory over No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday night.
Win No. 349 for Paterno was the type of victory some thought was only in the past for the second-winningest coach in major college football. The 16th-ranked Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) hadn’t beaten a team so highly ranked since knocking off No. 4 Arizona to start the 1999 season.
“I’ve been as conservative as I could in evaluating my football team,” Paterno said. “I think we’re a good football team. I think we can be better.”
On a chilly and damp night – just perfect for a slugfest between two of the Big Ten’s best defenses – Penn State was out to prove that Paterno’s once powerful program could again compete with the nation’s elite after winning just three conference games the past two seasons.
The Nittany Lions did more than hold their own against the Buckeyes (3-2, 1-1) and their vaunted defense, led by linebacker A.J. Hawk. Penn State bested the team considered the class of the conference and a Rose Bowl contender.
When Tamba Hali sacked Troy Smith, knocked the ball loose and it was recovered by Scott Paxson with about 1 1/2 minutes left, all that was left was for Robinson to take a couple of knees to kill the clock.
“It felt great,” Hali said of his game-clinching sack.
Now, for the first time since ‘99, Penn State is a player in the national title picture.
“Everyone feels that Penn State is back,” said linebacker Dan Connor, who had 12 tackles and a sack. “We’re back on the map.”
Defense was the lynchpin of that ‘99 team, with linebacker LaVar Arrington and defensive end Courtney Brown providing the big plays. Now it’s Posluszny, Hali and Connor leading the way.
The Lions bottled up the two-way threat Smith and took Ohio State’s big-play receivers, Ted Ginn, Jr. and Santonio Holmes, out of the game. Not until the final drive did either have a catch of more than 20 yards.
“Well, we got behind in the count and allowed them to pin their ears back, and they did a good job with that,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “When you’re behind the count against a veteran secondary and a veteran front, you give them a better chance.”
Posluszny had 14 tackles and chased down Smith for a 10-yard loss with about 5 minutes left to help keep the Buckeyes scoreless in the second half.
“I don’t think you can play any better than he (Posluszny) played,” Paterno said.
The Buckeyes had 230 total yards, with Smith passing for 139.
“Things weren’t clicking for some reason,” Buckeyes center Nick Mangold said.