Email "In the Huddle" | "In the Huddle Archive"

Nortwestern Preview
with a Review of Ohio State

by Jeff Metzger

October 29, 2003

Offensive Report Card | Defensive Report Card | Player of Game | Northwestern Preview

Ohio State Report Card

Usually, I fill this space with a report card grading the Nittany Lions on their previous week’s performance. As I see it, there’s no need for a report card this week. Everyone associated with the program deserves an A+ for their performance against the Buckeyes this past Saturday. For the first time this season, this team played with the heart and emotion Penn State fans are used to seeing. The coaches prepared a game plan that they knew would exploit Ohio States weaknesses and convinced the team that they would win this football game if it was executed. While our ground game was virtually nonexistent, Zack regained the stellar form that he displayed early last season. The receivers ran tight, crisp routes and caught most everything thrown their way. The offensive line gave Zack plenty of time to get rid of the ball and clear lanes to spot his receivers.

The defense was aggressive and hard-hitting. Over the past two games, I’ve watched our defensive line start to grow into a unit that will be very special before they leave PSU. Our linebackers were, for the most part, sure tacklers and punished Buckeye backs and receivers when they touched the ball. Our secondary was aggressive and jumped Ohio State passing lanes, which led to Alan Zemaitis interception for a touchdown. As for the special teams, they played a very solid game for the most part. While our kickoff and punt returns are still very shaky, David Kimball emerged as the weapon the Lions have been missing for much of the season.

My hope is that this was a game for our young players to grow from and learn that they have what it takes to play with and BEAT any team in the country. It was very unfortunate that the Nittany Lions were once again the victims of several questionable calls down the stretch. This seems to have become the norm during a Penn State football game. If, by chance, any Big Ten administrators or officials are reading this, then I beg you to look at the current injustices that the system is creating and do something about it. But that’s enough rehashing of another depressing ending to a Penn State football game.

A LOOK AHEAD TO GAME 10: NORTHWESTERN

COACH: Randy Walker (22-23 in 5 seasons at Northwestern)

RECORD: 4-5 (2-3 in the Big Ten)

LAST WEEK: Lost to Purdue, 34-14

SERIES HISTORY: Penn State leads the series 7-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jason Wright the Wildcat tailback has run for 845 yards so far this season and is averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Wright has scored 14 TDs on the season and is averaging 130 all-purpose yards per game.

Brett Basanez the Northwestern QB is 129 of 236 for 1,525 yards on the season. He is completing 54.7 percent of his passes while throwing 3

Pat Durr the Wildcat MLB leads the team in tackles with 89. Durr also has 2 sacks and 1 INT on the season.

KEY STATISTIC: Wide Receiver Patrick Knule has caught at least one pass in 43 consecutive games.

IMPORTANT MATCH-UPS:

WHICH DEFENSE WILL BE MORE AGGRESSIVE? Both offenses have a penchant for turning the ball over. The Nittany Lions have done a much better job protecting the ball as of late while taking the ball away from their opponents. Last week, Northwestern fumbled five times vs. Purdue, losing four. Which defense will come out and make the big play that could mean the ball game?

THE BATTLE OF THE ANEMIC KICKOFF RETURN UNITS While the Nittany Lions have stunk up the joint each time they have to return a kickoff, Northwestern has not fared that much better. Will either team be able to make a big play in the return game in order to set the table for their offense?

KEEP AN EYE ON:

Penn States emotional health will last weekends devastating loss have long-term effects on this football? Can they rebound?

David Kimball how will he respond after a career day last Saturday? How will he respond from his game-ending, 60-yard miss?

JOEPA he said he was emotionally drained after the OSU loss. He has been the topic of several national sports talk shows and columns this week. Is the fire he displayed last weekend still there or is he emotionally worn-out?

The men in stripes will the Nittany Lions be the recipients of any make-up calls for last weekends obvious gaffes?

MY PREDICTION: Penn State 27, Northwestern 16

BET YOU DIDNT KNOW: Penn State linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden was Northwestern’s Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach from 1992-1996, helping the Wildcats defeat the Nittany Lions in 1995 and win Big Ten titles in 1995 and 1996.

**For more information on Northwestern Football, check out nusports.ocsn.com
**Be sure to visit www.gopsusports.com every Tuesday for a transcript of Coach Joe Paterno’s weekly press conference.

Until next time, S-T-A-T-E, Go State!!!

Email "In the Huddle" | "In the Huddle Archive" | Home