It was a scare, for sure.
The Nittany Lions put a scare into their fans on Saturday, falling behind rival Michigan 17-7 before slicing into the lead and then pulling away in the second half.
In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll look back at the big win over the Wolverines, look ahead to the showdown in Columbus and have another edition of 10 Questions.
Let’s start by looking back at a big day from a big-time back.
Evan Royster is proving that he’s one of the best backs in the Big Ten.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Looking Back: Royster Runs Wild
With the Nittany Lions down 10-0 during Saturday’s Homecoming tilt with Michigan, they needed a spark of some sort.
Heck, what they needed was a big-time play.
Time for Evan Royster to don the cape, tights and the shirt with the giant “S” on the chest.
OK, so Royster didn’t need a phone booth or a funny looking costume to play Superman. All he really needed was the ball.
And on a play that appeared to be dead in its tracks, Royster bounced off a would-be tackler and raced 44 yards for Penn State’s first touchdown of the day. He shed four tacklers on the score that would cut the deficit to 10-7. The Nittany Lions would storm back for a 46-17 pasting of the Wolverines on a gorgeous fall afternoon in Happy Valley.
Once again, Royster was the star of the show. He carried the ball 18 times for 174 yards and the aforementioned TD. He averaged nearly 10 yards per crack.
What turned into Penn State’s first score of the afternoon was nearly a loss. But as he always seems to do, Royster made something out of nothing.
“Right when I made my cut, I knew I made the wrong one, to be honest with you,” Royster said. “Luckily, the offensive line was able to keep the guys off me, so I was able to be in the hole I wanted to be in. I just started running from there.”
And he didn’t stop until he hit paydirt. A mere 44 yards later, the Nittany Lions were on the board and Royster was pounding his chest in a rare show of emotion.
“Sometimes, you gotta get your team fired up any way you can. I’m trying to establish myself as a leader on this team,” Royster said, explaining the emotional outburst.
The redshirt sophomore appears to be well on his way to becoming a leader.
With eight games gone in 2008, Royster has amassed 893 yards on 116 carries. He’s on track to his first-ever 1,000-yard season. He also has 10 touchdowns on the year.
While those numbers may surprise some, one person who is not suprised by Royster’s production is quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno. Coming into the season, Royster did all the right things to earn the job of feature back.
According to Paterno, he’s got all the attributes a big-time back needs to have — and then some.
“His biggest thing is his vision and patience. He knows when to wait.
He sees some things open up. He’s got great anticipation. It’s a combination of those things. More than anything else, he’s just a very intelligent football player,” Paterno said.
On Saturday, Royster made all the right moves. He chewed up chunks of yardage and picked up crucial first downs. He had a big 21-yard run to set up Daryll Clark’s 1-yard touchdown sneak that pushed Penn State’s lead to 26-17.
“He made some things happen when there wasn’t some stuff there. That touchdown run, we missed a guy inside and he was able to bounce off it. He just gives you some things when there’s really nothing there, and that’s key,” Paterno said.
Perhaps what is most refreshing about Royster is his attitude. He shies away from the spotlight and usually he credits his offensive line for the yardage he piles up.
“It’s really the offensive line. If one guy is hitting me every play, they’re doing their job. I’m supposed to break that tackle. I’m supposed to get away from him,” Royster said.
Offensive tackle Gerald Cadogan is always impressed with Royster’s effort, but he was especially pleased to see him rack up the yardage against a Michigan defense that has been surprisingly stout against the run.
“He had a phenomenal day,” Cadogan said, “and it’s one of the best feelings in the world.”
Coming into the game, the Wolverines had been giving up 102.5 yards per game. All that changed on Saturday — thanks in part to Royster.
“We knew they had a pretty good run defense. Our offensive line just did a great job blocking. I can’t take too much credit, you know,” Royster said. “I’m expected to break a couple of tackles.”
On Saturday, he broke more than a couple.
Looking Ahead: Ohio State
OK, this is it. The game of the year.
When No. 3 Penn State faces No. 12 Ohio State on Saturday night in Columbus, it will be the ultimate litmus test for the Nittany Lions.
After all, there are those pundits out there who say the Lions aren’t for real. On Saturday night, we’ll find out even more about this team.
Keep in mind that the Lions haven’t won in The Horseshoe since 1978.
1978! I was so young, I can’t even remember that game. My, that was a long time ago.
But I digress.
This game will not come down to the Penn State offense, but the Nittany Lion D. It’s simple enough — stop Beanie Wells and keep Terrelle Pryor in the pocket. If the Lions can force Pryor into mistakes, they’ve got a pretty good chance of winning this ballgame.
They cannot start slow like they did against Michigan last week. That will doom this team, for sure.
Honestly, I think this game could go either way. Call it a hunch, call it a gut feeling, call it whatever you like.
I like the Lions in a real nail-biter.
Gantdaily.com prediction: Penn State 21, Ohio State 19.
This week, Drew Astorino is under the microscope for 10 Questions.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
10 Questions: Drew Astorino
Today, gantnews.com sits down with Penn State’s Drew Astorino for another edition of 10 Questions.
GD: Three things always in your refrigerator?
DA: Ketchup, ranch dressing and water.
GD: Who would play you in a movie?
DA: Tom Hanks.
GD: XBox or PlayStation?
DA: XBox.
GD: The Last Book You Read?
DA: The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown.
GD: Favorite All-Time Movie?
DA: GoodFellas.
GD: If I didn’t go to Penn State, I would have gone to?
DA: Probably Iowa.
GD: If not football, what sport?
DA: Basketball.
GD: Your ride?
DA: I drive a 2005 Madza 6.
GD: Funniest or best thing Joe ever said to you?
DA: Geez Louise. … the best thing … probably “nice interception, Drew.”
GD: Favorite Penn State Moment?
DA: My first interception at Syracuse.
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.