Five down, seven to go.
The Penn State football team shot all the way to No. 6 in the nation after its 14-point win over Illinois on Saturday at a Whited-out Beaver Stadium. It was a huge win for the Nittany Lions, who are 5-0 for the first time since 2005.
In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll look back at Saturday’s win, look ahead to this week’s matchup with Purdue and have another sampling of 10 Questions.
Let’s start with Derrick Williams’ performance against the Fighting Illini.
Derrick Williams had a monster game against the Fighting Illini.
(Blue White Illustrated)
Wheels Rolls
Four years. That’s how long coaches, media and fans have been waiting for Derrick Williams to break out and have a monster game.
On Saturday against Illinois, it finally happened.
Williams scored on a touchdown pass, a run and a kickoff return in the Nittany Lions’ 38-24 victory over the Illini. Williams finished the night with six receptions for 75 yards and six carries for 33 yards.
But it was the kickoff return that was truly the moment he had been waiting for. After all, this wasn’t a downtrodden Notre Dame team or an overmatched Coastal Carolina squad. This was a ranked Illinois team in prime time.
The kickoff return came seconds into the fourth quarter. Williams gathered the ball in at his own 6-yard line, got past the first wave of defenders and it was off to the races.
Williams said it was as easy as it looked.
“When I was running (back the kickoff return), did you guys see how easy it was for me? The only thing I had to do was run,” Williams said. “It was like there was a clear highway because the guys in front of me did a great job clearing the way; all I had to do was run through it.”
Coach Joe Paterno said that the return was huge.
“I think that was a big, big play. That put us up by two scores,” Paterno said. Earlier in the week, wideout Jordan Norwood tweaked his hamstring. With Norwood out of the lineup, Paterno knew Williams would have to step up. And he told him so prior to the game.
“Derrick’s been in tough games and made big plays,” Paterno said. “Like I told him the other day, I told him ‘it’s about time you break out and have a real big one.’ He had a good day. He’s a heck of an athlete. He’s a heck of a competitor.”
Williams, now a senior, was the nation’s No. 1 recruit when he committed to Penn State in 2004. He and cornerback Justin King were looked upon as saviors of the program. His freshman season was cut short when he broke his arm against Michigan.
During his sophomore and junior years, he never able to live up to hype of being the No. 1 recruit. Now, though, he appears motivated like never before. Perhaps it’s the riches of the NFL that are driving him. Perhaps he wants to rack up the stats before he departs Dear Old State. But perhaps, just perhaps, there’s a bigger driving force.
A national championship, perhaps?
“We’re not focused on that. Well, we are focused on that, but I’m trying to be humble. We think every day about a national championship, and if we’re not thinking about it, then we shouldn’t be playing this game. We definitely can do it with the team we have, but Joe always tells us to take it one day at time, one game at a time,” Williams said.
Needless to say, Williams’ night impressed everyone in the stands, in the press box and on the field.
His effort did not go unnoticed by his teammates. Offensive guard Rich Ohrnberger has been impressed.
“Derrick’s really breaking out of his shell this season. I’ve been expecting it. I knew it was going to happen,” Ohrnberger said. “He’s becoming the explosive player that you know he can be. Tonight was the perfect example, making catches, running the ball and special teams was perfect. It was exactly what we needed at that point.”
One of Williams’ most impressive runs of the night was his 5-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter. Williams found a little crack and followed fullback Dan Lawlor into the end zone.
“We run that play a lot. Before the game, I told Derrick ‘we’re gonna get you in the end zone on that play.’ It opened up really well. I came across the line, saw my guy and the next thing I know, Derrick’s in the end zone,” Lawlor said.
Lawlor took out Illinois’ Donsay Hardeman on the play.
“When I saw No. 4 coming across, I knew I had to get him,” Lawlor said. “Then Derrick did what Derrick does. He’s a great player and he had the ball in his hands.”
Now, it’s on to bigger and better things for Williams and the Lions. One game at a time.
“Right now, we’re not worried about the next four games,” Williams said. “We’re worried about the next game against Purdue.”
Looking Ahead: Purdue
The last time Penn State went to Purdue, the Nittany Lions came away with a hard-fought 12-0 win in a game played in a driving wind storm.
This week will be significant because it will be the last meeting between Paterno and his good friend, Joe Tiller. Tiller will retire at season’s end.
There is concern because Penn State might be looking ahead to next week’s game with Wisconsin, but the bottom line is that the Boilermakers just aren’t very good. Curits Painter is a solid quarterback, but the Nittany Lion defensive line will apply pressure that he hasn’t seen yet.
Paterno will knock off Tiller in their final meeting. Write it down.
Gantdaily.com prediction: Penn State 33, Purdue 14.
Gantdaily.com sits down with Josh Gaines.
(Blue White Illustrated)
10 Questions: Josh Gaines
This week, gantnews.com sits down with defensive standout Josh Gaines.
GD: Three things always in your refrigerator?
JG: Silk milk, because I’m lactose intolerant, Gatorade and some kind of meat, turkey or beef.
GD: Who would play you in a movie?
JG: The guy who played Bubba Gump in Forrest Gump (Mykelti Williamson).
GD: XBox or PlayStation?
JG: XBox.
GD: The Last Book You Read?
JG: The Bible.
GD: Favorite All-Time Movie?
JG: Forrest Gump.
GD: If I didn’t go to Penn State, I would have gone to?
JG: Michigan State.
GD: If not football, what sport?
JG: Basketball. Definitely basketball. I feel like I’m the best basketball player in the world.
GD: Your ride?
JG: I drive an ’07 Ford Taurus.
GD: Funniest or best thing Joe ever said to you?
JG: Ahh, man. I remember one practice my freshman year, he pulled me off to the side, looked me in my face and he called me a sissy.
GD: Favorite Penn State Moment?
JG: The Orange Bowl.
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. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com.