There really is no need for a recap for this game...I can sum it up in two words: COMPLETE DOMINANCE!
Offense, defense, and even special teams for Penn State played outstanding. I did not see one kick return for Wisconsin go past the 30. This may have been one reason for the blowout win. Penn State's average field position was like their own 47, while Wisconsin's was closer to their own 20. Let's put the game into perspective.
Offense: Royster, although he did not have a big day and averaged just under five yards per carry, made a couple of big runs; breaking tackle after tackle to get seven yards and or a first down.
Clark played like a champ. He spread the ball around to his star receivers, who ended up being open a lot. Williams played very well, even though he had a drop and a muffed punt in the first quarter, and Clark had a fumble...just 1st quarter jitters.
Butler caught a TD pass and Norwood was very effective in his first week back. Even backup receivers like McDonald and Brackett caught a couple of big passes. Although this game was not as balanced offensively, both the run and the pass were successful against this physical Wisconsin team.
Penn State rushed for just over 100 yards as a team, while they passed for nearly 300 yards. I expected Penn State to come out conservative in this game, but they did just the opposite.
Penn State football, before this year, was more of a run, run, pass, run, pass, and so on offense. This game, it was pass, pass, pass, run, pass, run, run, pass, pass, pass, pass offense. PSU came out aggressive, and after a sloppy first quarter they were able to keep drives going and score early, which took the crowd out of the game.
Although our offense didn't have an outstanding amount of total yards, the play of the special teams, the defense, and field position helped PSU's offense pile on the points.
Defense: What more can I say about this defense than that they played this huge Wisconsin offense tough, and won the battle of rush and pass defense.
Everyone expected Wisconsin to be able to run all over the Penn State defense all game, but Wisconsin was only able to rush well in the first quarter. Wisconsin was able to be very physical and get seven or eight yards on a couple of rushes. However, PSU's defense held Wisconsin's rushing to minimal or no gain on many second and third downs.
Penn State put eight men in the box, and after PSU went up 17-0, Wisconsin realized that they would have to pass to stay in this game, which is exactly what Penn State wanted. Aside from the one, long drive that Evridge put together for a touchdown, PSU's strategy of making Wisconsin beat them through the air worked to perfection.
Wisconsin threw a few picks, including one to Mark Reuben that was overturned, but was clearly a pick. Wisconsin also threw a lot of near picks, and PSU's defense was able to deflect many balls that were also nearly intercepted.
The inability for Wisconsin's line to push Penn State's front seven around kept Wisconsin to a low score in this game. The Badgers had no confidence in their quarterback, and actually switched to a different quarterback because Evridge was playing so badly. The other QB played better, but by that time PSU's scrubs were in and they weren't even trying...the other QB still threw an interception, though.
The defense, along with the offense, was able to keep the crowd out of the game with stellar performances. Maybin continued his dominance as he got a couple of sacks and forced a fumble that was recovered by Josh Hull. The defense forcing turnovers helped the Nittany Lions offense on their way to putting up 48...or 41 on the scoreboard. One touchdown really had nothing to do with the offense.
Special Teams: BOOM!!! That's all I can say about that. On both returning kicks and on kickoff coverage, our special teams completely dominated. No kickoff for the Badgers was returned past the 30. Most of the returns were actually held to the 20 or less, including one touchback.
Penn State's special teams blew up every kick return. They plowed through the blocks and messed up Wisconsin's kick coverage. Then, they swarmed the ball carrier and hit him hard and brought him down for a minimal gain on the return. Jeremy Boone also had a pretty nice day punting.
However, the highlight of the special teams that most people will remember is the punt return by Derrick Williams. In the first quarter, Wisconsin punted the ball to Williams, and he muffed it. He struggled to recover it and had to basically fall on it twice so he was able to get control of it. That was a near turnover for the Nittany Lions.
In the second quarter, Williams seemed a little scared to return the punt, but he really wanted to make up for his mistake in the first quarter. He caught the punt, and started running slowly straight up the field. Then, he cut it to the right and started sprinting up the field. He got a couple of good blocks and was able to run it in for a touchdown, which put Penn State up 17-0.
I'm pretty sure this happened on a Wisconsin turnover...it was a great play and even Daryll Clark was open-mouthed when he saw this happen. Maybin, our defensive end, just leveled this huge offensive lineman from Wisconsin...he just completely blindsided him. I'm sure all you guys saw that play and were like "Holy $h*t!" when that happened...great play, right?
Overall, Penn State dominated Wisconsin in every phase of the game, on the road, in a harsh environment, during Prime Time. This was a huge, dominating win for Penn State, and it shows pollsters and critics that the Nittany Lions are for real.
After the Top three teams dropped, we are looking at No.3, if not No.2 in the new polls. After Ohio State was barely able to squeak by Wisconsin, I was worried about this game. After the game, I magically became less worried about the Ohio State game. Nittany Lion fans everywhere are starting to really talk about this hope of an undefeated season and a National Championship.
comments (26) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
As a die-hard WISC fan I gotta hand it to you guys....What an embarrassment for us, but hey at least it was a big ten team I guess. You guys looked great. If I had my choice and could pick the top #3, I would put Penn State at #2. Great game--tough loss for us :)
from about 1 month ago
Sorry about your team. If they could have a decent quarterback they probably would've stood a chance against us. Then we would've had to defend both the run and the pass. There's always next year.
Or you guys can injure players on teams that we will play so we can beat them easier. Thanks for the comment.
about 1 month ago
I agree if wisc could have had a better QB and got some passing down feild there run game would have been very hard to stop. As he pointed out we had 8 in the box. I still think wisc is a good team the fact is that this PSU team is for real and they are just that much better.
from about 1 month ago
I agree with you. Even if Wisconsin had a better QB, like both you and I have said, I still think PSU would win, but the game would be much closer.
about 1 month ago
PSU is legit.. now how about they beat the Buckeyes. I don't care who wins the big ten as long as OSU doesn't win it. Go Nittany Lions!
from about 1 month ago
Now that Michigan has no shot at the Big 10 Title, I agree with you. I actually do care about who wins, but if OSU wins that would be a disaster. Thanks for the comment!
Your profile picture looks like Oregon State, but I can't tell because its so small. If PSU wins the Championship, that makes Oregon State's loss to PSU look good.
from about 1 month ago
I just saw your profile and it says you're a Michigan fan...I see why you don't care. If Ohio State and Michigan were in the situation that PSU and OSU are in now, I probably wouldn't care who won either...although I'd probably want OSU because Michigan beat us 9 times in a row and that pisses me off. Although the 2005 game had very questionable calls that went to Michigan, such as a third down and long catch that was clearly out of bounds and called a catch, and then the adding 4 seconds onto the clock...
Thanks for the comment, again!
about 1 month ago
I was born in Pennsylvania and all my family loves the Lions so I I'd say they are still my second favorite Big ten team. You'll have your chance to end that 9 losses in a row for sure next week.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah, I'm going...the Lions have only lost once in the games that I have gone to. And if Michigan loses to Toledo, I think PSU can handle them at home. However, this could be a look-ahead to Ohio State, but even if we play sloppy, I think we still win by at least 10.
about 1 month ago
It's great and all that Penn State completely dominated the Badgers, but it does make me a bit skeptical for our upcoming games.
As of right now, this is our best chance to defeat Michigan. They are absolutely lousy this year, but hey, everyone expected this to be a rebuilding year for them. So I'm not too worried about that.
However, looking towards Oct. 25th, that game against Ohio State scares me a bit. Granted, the Buckeyes haven't been playing that great against most teams, but the Horseshoe is pretty hostile. Also, after the game against Michigan, there can always be injuries to star players and such, making it easier for the upcoming teams to have a better chance against us. I'm optimistic that Penn State will pull off a win against the Buckeyes, but anything can happen.
Other than that, the only other game that scares me is Michigan State on Nov. 22nd. It's a huge rivalry game and they are looking pretty good right now. Javon Ringer is putting up impressive numbers and is a contender in the Heisman hunt. Also, the whole team is looking pretty balanced, in my opinion. We'll have to see what happens through the next few weeks. If the Spartans cause many upsets throughout October, then I'll be worried.
Anyway, great article. And sorry for rambling.
from about 1 month ago
Its fine...and I agree with you. Both those games are potential stumbles or losses, and so is every other game. I think Joe Pa will make sure that PSU plays well every game and never looks ahead. If we do that and don't look ahead or think about a possible National Championship, then we will win all the games. I know anything can happen, but as long as our team stays focused we will win. We have a great run defense, which is why we dominated the Badgers, and we have more talent than anyone but Ohio State, and we may have more talent than them. We are the best team in the conference, and maybe in the nation, so all we have to do is stay focused and take it one game at a time and we will win.
Easier said than done though, right?
about 1 month ago
The thought of Penn State going undefeated and being left out of the BCS title game worries me
from about 1 month ago
It could happen, but probably not. Texas and Bama will both probably lose at least 1 game, and I'm willing to bet $1 million that one of those teams loses at least one game. TTU, whose behind us, will lose cause their overrated. Oklahoma State is good, but they'll lose. PSU will be the only team, or one of two major teams undefeated. (If PSU goes undefeated).
from about 1 month ago
Welcome to Bleacher Report, BTW! :)
about 1 month ago
Penn State is impressive, Isaac. Start thinking N.C. game. Only five unbeaten BCS teams left. All three unbeaten Big 12 teams will play each other. Bama has LSU away. Keep up the great writing on the Lions.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks man. I am thinking NC, but I don't want to look ahead. If PSU looks ahead they could face a trap game in any of their remaining games. They are one of the most talented and most dominant teams in the nation, but they have to stay focused so that we can run the table.
about 1 month ago
great win, and great article isaac!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Anthony. I just hope PSU can keep this up.
about 1 month ago
here's hoping the same.
about 1 month ago
Great article Isaac. I think we will definitely see 8 in the box when we face OSU. Terell Pryor has been making a lot of highschool-esque mistakes, and probably the best stat from Saturdays game was 1-7. As in 1 penalty for 7 yards. Penn State is just executing and producing results, and just seems like a highly-tuned machine. C. Wells might not even get 100 yards in that game as we will force them to put it in the air, with pressure from Evans and Maybin I cannot see Ohio scoring more than 20 points.
I am not saying its a clear win for PSU because it is not, if OSU's defense can hold Clark and his troops back then it will be a ball game. But it just seems that Penn State is firing on all cylinders and OSU is slacking.
I am trying really hard to not be biased in any of my analysis as I attend Penn State it can be difficult at times, but I have seen every home this year, and these boys got some real talent.
from about 1 month ago
I completely agree with you. As a PSU fan, it is very hard for me not to be biased, but I think if we do those things you said, we should win that game. Penn State has looked dominant in every aspect of the game and I hope and expect them to do more of the same.
about 1 month ago
Really was a great performance by the Nits the other night.... I'll be honest that I was shocked the game turned out this way, but they basically attacked the way we expected.... with Wiscy tossing that the two bruisers at them and the Nits responding by basically shutting them down... therefore forcing Evridge to try and keep up with the PSU offense... which he could not. Very big win... now the Wolverines curse is up next!
from about 1 month ago
Actually, I expected PSU to come out conservative, and they passed a lot and did very few "old school" Penn State football plays. Their defense did do what they people were expecting, though. Hopefully we can break the curse against a team who LOST TO TOLEDO!
from about 1 month ago
Hey don't forget PSU lost to Toledo itself eight years ago.... ugh, what a tough year that was.
from about 1 month ago
I never want to remember that.
from about 1 month ago
Ha ha - and I had to be the jerk to put it back in your head... talk about brutal. Honestly, someone put it in my head the other day, I feel like I needed to pass it along to someone else. My apologies that it had to be you...
write a new comment