Johnson sets record
twice
Penn State’s leading rusher explodes for 279 yards against
Fightin’ lllini, breaks his own single-game team record
Larry Johnson is running through defenses like he’s Forrest Gump. The
only difference is that LJ knows where to stop and it’s usually in the end zone.
Johnson has 11 rushing touchdowns for the season; in addition to the three he has
receiving. He is sixthin the nation in rushing yards (1221) and fifth in yards per
carry (8.1).
To top it off, Johnson has set a team record for rushing yards in a game
two of the last three weeks. First there was the 257-yard performance against
Northwestern. Then, he rumbled for 279 yards against Illinois, which could have
been 363 yards if his 84-yard run TD wasn’t brought back by a penalty. In both
games, Johnson had almost 200 yards by halftime.
Johnson is running the ball so well that even men are getting excited
when they are too close to him (see band member in homecoming picture below).
The good news for Penn State is that they will play two of the worst
defenses in the Big Ten (Indiana and Michigan State) and a Virginia defense that
is sub-par. The Lions should at least go 2-1, if not 3-0. This means it’s almost
bowl time for the Nittany Lions, who haven’t been to one since 1999.
And just when you thought this wasn’t your father’s Penn State football
team, the Nittany Lions are winning games the old-fashioned way: rushing for a
lot of yards and playing stingy defense. I am having trouble believing that this is
the same defense that allowed Central Florida to pass for 409 yards. They allowed
Ohio State’s offense only two field goals. And before Illinois scored a late touch
down, the defense played 11 quarters of touchdown-free football.
Free safety Shawn Mayer played an outstanding game against Ohio
State; recording an interception, fumble recovery, and 12 tackles. With 109 tack
les already, it looks like he’ll lead the team in tackles for a second consecutive
year.
Middle linebacker Gino Capone is second on the team in tackles with 81,
and has clogged up the middle effectively: When combined that with a defensive
line that has dominated the past three games, you have a unit that has opposing
offenses from losing sleep.
The finesse passing offense, which was once considered to be Penn
State’s biggest strength, has been a detriment. Message from Pete Strella to
Quarterback Zack Mills: When you’re under attack and surrounded by five
defenders, throw the ball into the fifteenth row. DO NOT dance 30 yards
back from the line of scrimmage and get tackled. Mills’ attempt to play the
role of Superman cost PSU the game against Ohio State and held them back
against Illinois. Bad decisions and 100 yards passing per game won’t get it done
every week.
Mills’ interception to Ohio State’s Chris Gamble was the turning point of
the game. Another fluke interception didn’t help the cause. The ball bounced
right off Tony Johnson’s helmet into the hands of the OSU defense. It was a fluke,
but Mills needs to learn patience. You don’t need to force passes. He threw four
interceptions against the
Buckeyes and was lucky
he didn’t throw seven.
Mills is still the quarter
back we knew in the
beginning of the season,
however, and he’ll
rebound for the end of the
in three weeks
By Peter Strella
Assistant Layout Editor
season
I have jinxed
Penn State football with
all of my predictions;
with the exception of the
Nebraska game I predict
ed them to lose.
Therefore, I predict thal
they will lose all three ol
their remaining games.
This means the team will
finish 9-3 with a trip to
warm weather on the
horizon.
IF TIME IS MONEY, HOW COME
I HAVE SO MUCH OF ONE
AND NOT THE OTHER?