I Monday, Nov. 8, 2010 McGloin making case to start By Audrey Snyder kid because he was hurt. But two No. 1 quarterbacks and I collegian staff writer McGloin has practiced well, he’s think the team is getting used to BBHiL worked hard, he hasn’t pouted or both of them. I don’t know who is | A few minutes after Penn State griped. He deserved a shot.” 1A if there is such a thing.” BHT } players hoisted Joe Paterno in McGloin took full advantage of With quarterbacks coach Jay the air and walked around his opportunity and once again Paterno deflecting questions I . I Beaver Stadium with the 83-year- fired up his teammates with his about the position and saying it’s I old coach on their shoulders, the actions and words. something he won’t think about i^^^B focus inevitably returned to the The redshirt sophomore chal- until later in the week, McGloin’s second biggest story line of the lenged his teammates to play success at the position hasn’t night: the quarterback situation, better in the second half, and been short lived. | Paterno did not say much much like he’s done in the three In the Lions’ last three wins I about who the Lions starting games he’s helped the team win, against Minnesota, Michigan and quarterback will be heading into he thrived when the pressure Northwestern, the former walk- IF the 10th game of the season, but was on him. on threw for 551 yards, seven Matt McGloin's four touchdowns He led a 49-second touchdown touchdowns and one intercep- and the spark he provided the drive at the end of the first half, tion. The drastic increase in the offense left the Lions with yet and while a healthy Bolden stood offense’s production has helped another decision as to who will with his helmet on near the side- the team establish a sense of con- * start next week at No. 8 Ohio line, McGloin showed he’s capa- fidence, something running back State. ble of leading the team to victory. Evan Royster said has become "I had gone into the game with “I think Robert has an excel- contagious. ‘ RBWI the idea that [Rob] Bolden deserved a chance," Paterno said. "You would hate to drop a Penn State's defense rebounded from an awful first half to shutout Northwestern over the last two quarters. Defense buckles down to stifle Persa, Wildcats By Brendan Monahan COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Linebacker Mike Mauti could n't understand why the defense played poor in the first half Saturday. Things just didn’t click. Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, though, had a more down-to-earth take on the first half play. "God, we were like stuck in mud," Bradley said. Going into the game, Bradley said the defense knew Northwestern would play with a up-tempo pace. The Wildcats offense made checks at the line of scrimmage, something Bradley said his defense was having difficulty adjusting to in the first half. "We got to start getting better at showing different alignments and then getting out," Bradley said. “And then as soon as you do that, they go in quick and then you get caught." The Nittany Lions defense allowed 239 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, but after the momentum swing that Ohio State, bowl game on tap By Audrey Snyer COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER When Penn State had a 3-3 record, the Nittany Lions were well aware their bowl hopes were hanging in the balance. After a few team meetings where the sen iors told the rest of the team they didn’t want their last game in blue and white to be against Michigan State, the Lions responded. After reeling off their third-straight win Saturday, and despite most of the excitement focused on Joe Paterno’s 400th victory, becoming bowl eligible was more than a side note for Penn State. “That was definitely one of our main objectives to get to a bowl game,” senior co-captain lent future ahead of him as does Matt,” offensive coordinator Galen Hall said. “I think we have Katie Silvis/Coliegian Mike Mauti is emerging as the most valuable player for the defense. started with Penn State’s touch- to get punched in the face the down drive just before halftime, first half, and we have to really the defense came out a different attack and address that,” defen unit in the second half. sive tackle Ollie Ogbu said. “We The Wildcats tallied 130 yards need to come out all four quar and were held scoreless in the ters and be that way.” second half. Defensive tackle The Lions know they need to Devon Still said defenders began start the game off better. They fueling off each other making just haven’t figured out how to do plays in the last two quarters. that defensively. In order to “Defensively we always need See DEFENSE, Page 14. Joe Pa’s 400th win earned his team a bowl trip Ollie Ogbu said. “Especially me and [Brett] Brackett, we don’t want to end our senior year you know, having your last game in “It just shows how much he wants to win,” Royster said. See QUARTERBACK, Page 14. November. We want to have that January game or that late Decern >er game and I think we did a great job today of doing that.” However, wide receiver Derek Moye and running back Evan Royster were quick to point out becom ing bowl eligible is a start, but it’s simply not good enough for the team. One of the Lions’ goals was to win six-straight games after the loss to Illinois and with a trip to Ohio State looming, Penn State is aiming to better its bowl game and reel off their fourth-straight win. “It’s always cool to go to a bowl game,” right tackle Chima Okoli said. “But I know for a fact we have to keep and understand like this is over, this is done. It’s imperative See MINK, Page 14. Matt McGloin (11) shined for the third-straight week, raising questions as to who should be the Nittany Lions starting quarterback. Saturday’s win turned out to be vintage Paterno By Nate Mink What did those eyes, behind those thick glasses see this night? Blocking the sun, watching Northwestern run circles around your defense, your offense flounder ing until a 49- second, 91-yard MY OPINION drive. Lofted up on the shoulders of Gus Felder and Eric Shrive, the smile impossible to hold back as you were carried toward midfield. Kissed by your wife, Sue. sur rounded by your grandchildren, flanked by Tim Curley and Graham Spanier on stage with tears running down your son’s cheek, above your rugged sol diers, among them Leo and Stefen Wisniewski, one of the many father-son tandems you’ve coached in 45 years. Father. Son. Brother. Grandfather. Husband. Coach. Those eyes have seen this before. In 1994 at Illinois, down by the same 21-point margin you were Saturday, with more at stake then than some milestone you say you could care less about. In 2001, down 27-9 in the third quarter, before a wily first-year starting quarterback playing with nothing to lose in an other wise forgettable season caught your first Bear. Saturday, when you didn’t panic, your staff didn’t panic and your players didn’t panic. How you’ve seen time and again the ship right itself if you keep plug ging away. Sixty minutes. Pour quarters. Have a little fun out there. You decided to pull Rob Bolden and bring on Matt McGloin, who withstood an unimpressionable first three drives before the 91-yard, Report Card: PSU 35, Northwestern 21 POSITION Quarterbacks A- Running backs A Wide receivers A Offensive line A- Defensive line B Linebackers A- Secondary B Special teams B- momentum-swinging series in which he went 5-for-6 for 63 yards and a perfectly thrown ball to Brett Brackett in the back of the end zone. McGloin finished 18-for-29 for 225 and four touchdowns, lead ing Penn State on five consecu tive scoring drives to cap your largest come-from-behind home win ever. “Unbelievable comeback. Words can't describe how happy I am and how proud I am of Joe and his program," said Bobby Engram, an All-American wide receiver on that undefeated '94 squad. “These young men showed a lot of heart today. For them to come back like that, it was a special way to get No. 400.” But on this night, McGloin wasn’t the only quarterback with something to prove. Miffed at the lack of attention you gave him in the recruiting process, Bethlehem native Dan Persa sti fled your defense, running hard one week removed from a con cussion. But those eyes and aren’t they better than as recent as January? calming these days, the fire of an irate coach chasing down Officials dying down as you realize nights like Saturday don’t come around very often. “I’d be dishonest if I told you that wasn’t a moving night for me. It was,” you said, dressed in your blue sweater, your white shirt, tie sticking out at the col lar. Not long before, your eyes met those of your players in the lock er room, joined in prayer, thanked this group not for get ting you some number but for being a part of a Grand Experiment. For believing. “He always says keep hus tling. Something good will hap pen,” said Tom Bradley, your longest-tenured assistant on staff, 32 years and counting. “That’s always been his motto around here. There’s not a See MINK, Page 14. COMMENTS The struggles in the first half cost the QBs a perfect score, but Matt McGloin was practi cally flawless in the second stanza. Redd and Royster each rushed for more than 130 yards, and McGloin said it was the rush ing attack that opened up the passing game. Nate Cadogan caught a touchdown pass. Brackett hauled in a crucial touchdown on a great grab and Moye was, as usual, reliable. The holes the 0-Line created were noticeably larger than three weeks ago. The unit has made remarkable progress since Illinois. The unit was atrocious in the first half, but turned it around, eliminating Persa’s running room. The Lions recorded four sacks. Mauti was an absolute beast. He recorded 10 solo tackles, three coming for a loss. Colasanti tied for team lead with 11 tackles. Persa never beat the Lions deep but had a relatively easy time throwing the ball early. Willis played very well again at free safety. Fera was great on kickoffs, consistently put ting the ball in the end zone, but Wagner came up short on a 51-yard attempt. The Daily Collegian
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