Many of the so-called “experts,” myself included, believed that Saturday’s game with Oregon State would be a good test for the 2008 Penn State football team.
It turned out to be anything but.
Penn State destroyed Oregon State, 45-14, at Beaver Stadium to improve to 2-0. The Nittany Lions put the off-field distractions of the past week behind them. In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll look back at the rout, look ahead to this week’s game with Syracuse and have the second installment of our new weekly feature, 10 questions.
Let’s start with the huge win over the Beavers.
Evan Royster chewed up and spit out the Oregon State rushing defense.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Looking Back: Oregon State
If there was one big story to come out of Saturday’s blowout win, it was the running game, especially sophomore Evan Royster, who had a big day.
Heading into the season, Royster heard the whispers.
There was a lot of hype about Stephfon Green, the flashy running back from the Bronx, N.Y., who took a redshirt last season.
Fans and media wondered aloud, is Green the go-to back? Will the speedster unseat Royster as the starting tailback?
In the season-opening win over Coastal Carolina on Aug. 30, the whispers got louder as Green outrushed Royster. In that win, Green piled up 89 yards on 10 attempts while Royster had 64 yards on eight carries.
On Saturday against Oregon State, Royster came out intent on making a statement.
Boy, did he ever.
He sliced, diced, whipped and pureed the Beaver defense to the tune of
141 yards on 17 carries — 8.3 a crack. He scored three touchdowns on runs of 15, 28 and 4 yards. His longest run of the afternoon went for
34 yards.
By comparison, Green touched the ball 11 times but gained just 19 yards — 1.7 yards per carry. His longest run of the day went for a paltry 3 yards.
Round one may have gone to Green. Round two went to Royster.
It was Royster’s day, for sure. If he was trying to cement his position as the starting tailback, he did a heck of a job.
“You’ve got the flashy back with Green, but I think all of us are capable of running the ball,” Royster said. “My speed is something I’ve been working on. Obviously, I’m not as fast as Stephfon, but I’m trying to get there.”
Heading into the season, everyone knew that Royster was capable of running in between the tackles. But in the 45-14 pasting of the Beavers, he showed that he’s also comfortable taking it outside.
There were quite a few plays where Royster bounced outside for big gains. The offense has put up 111 points in two weeks. Is it easy to feel invincible at this point in the season? According to Royster, it is.
“You get that feeling every now and then, but you gotta bring yourself back down to earth and make sure you’re getting your assignments and doing everything you’re supposed to be doing,” Royster said.
If there’s one thing that can bring a back down to earth, it’s a turnover. And Royster was nearly perfect on the afternoon, but he coughed up the football. With Royster headed in for another score, he lost the ball at the Oregon State 1-yard line. Beaver defender Dwight Roberson got a hat on the ball and popped it loose. The Beavers recovered and prevented Royster from scoring his fourth touchdown of the day.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno talked about the turnover and the effect it had on his star running back.
“That was too bad about that fumble there in the end,” Paterno said.
“And he got a little tentative. He’s got to put that behind him. But he’s a good back. A solid back.”
An afternoon like the one Royster had against the Beavers is exactly what the Nittany Lion offense needs to be balanced this season. The Lions have a plethora of downfield weapons in players like Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood. They finally have a quarterback who is accurate in Daryll Clark.
Now, Royster has to hold up his end of the deal. He and Green can be a potent one-two punch for the Lions, for sure.
However, 100-yard afternoons have to be the norm.
According to offensive coordinator Galen Hall, big things are expected of Royster this season.
“If you remember, Evan played well last year. He played pretty good the first game. I think that’s the type of back (he is). He’s a steady back. He’s very intelligent and he knows what’s going on,” Hall said.
Another reason the ground game has been clicking so well through the first two weeks is the Lions’ offensive line. In previous seasons, the O-line was viewed as a weakness. This season, it’s a strength.
Royster gave them credit for some of the yardage he piled up on Saturday.
“They do a great job,” Royster said. “I’m really in the best position possible. I’ve got a great offensive line in front of me. I think they’re coming out and playing with a lot more confidence. They’re playing more as a unit. I think they’ve really come together and meshed well.”
Two weeks, two blowout wins. With two more non-conference games on the slate, Royster will have a chance to cement himself as the starter as the Lions prepare for conference play.
Royster knows, however, that every week won’t be so easy.
“It will tell us something about ourselves when we get down,” Royster said. “But hopefully, we can keep playing week to week like we have been.”
Looking Ahead: Syracuse
If you think the Lions will get a test this week, think again. The Orange (not the Orangemen, anymore) are hardly a formidable foe. They enter the game at 0-2 and are coming off an ugly 42-28 home loss to Akron.
At one time, Penn State and Syracuse was a pretty decent rivalry. But those days are long gone.
Although the game will be played at the Carrier Dome, it shouldn’t present many problems for the Nittany Lions. We’re guessing that the crowd will have a lot of blue and white scattered throughout.
If there is a player to watch for the Orange, it’s senior tailback Curtis Brinkley. Last week, he rushed for 143 yards on 21 carries and scored a touchdown against the Zips.
If you’re going to the game, enjoy Syracuse. It’s a gorgeous campus.
If you are watching on television, try not to fall asleep.
Gantdaily.com prediction: Penn State 56, Syracuse 7.
This week’s edition of 10 questions features Mark Rubin.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
10 Questions: Mark Rubin
This week, gantnews.com catches up with safety Mark Rubin, who recently revealed that he defeated a young Michael Phelps back when the two swam against each other in high school.
GD: Three things always in your refrigerator?
MR: Gatorade, steak and popsicles.
GD: Who would play you in a movie?
MR: I’m not playing myself? I would say … Mark Wahlberg.
GD: XBox or PlayStation?
MR: Playstation, all day.
GD: The Last Book You Read?
MR: The Art of War (by Sun Tzu).
GD: Favorite All-Time Movie?
MR: Rocky IV.
GD: If I didn’t go to Penn State, I would have gone to?
MR: Probably the University of Hawaii for swimming.
GD: If not football, what sport?
MR: Swimming.
GD: Your ride?
MR: Can I not answer that? It is a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera.It’s a classic.
GD: Funniest or best thing Joe ever said to you?
MR: Probably (imitating Joe) Get outta here!
GD: Favorite Penn State Moment?
MR: Running out of the tunnel for my first time in my freshman year.
In addition to writing for gantnews.com, Chris Morelli is the award-winning editor of Blue-White Illustrated, a sports publication devoted to Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Front and Center,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. Email him at morellionlion@gmail.com.