BALD EAGLE DISTRIBUTORS & BEER STORE 748 ... - The Express

BIG 10 NOTEBOOK
Freshmen help to
fill void for Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz tried early
on to diffuse any curiosity over how the Hawkeyes planned use
their trio of talented running backs by saying he simply hoped they
could all stay healthy.
Not even Ferentz would have believed Iowa would play a game
without any of them.
Adam Robinson joined Jewel Hampton (knee) and Brandon
Wegher (personal reasons) all missed Saturday’s 18-13 win at Indiana,
leaving No. 13 Iowa (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) without any of the
backs they were counting on this season.
In stepped true freshman Marcus Coker, though, with 129 yards
rushing in his first career start. Though Coker was fourth on the
depth chart at best in August, he became just the latest in a growing
line of freshmen who’ve helped the Hawkeyes overcome injury
woes in key spots and keep their Big Ten title hopes alive.
Freshmen linebackers James Morris and Shane DiBona have bolstered
a defense that’s given up just 19 points over the past two
games, and freshman kicker Michael Meyer booted four field goals
in the win over the Hoosiers.
“It wasn’t necessarily by design, but things have just worked that
way and we’ve had some injuries that have forced us maybe to
open our eyes a little bit,” Ferentz said of Iowa’s freshmen. “With
pleased with all the guys, what they’re doing and the contributions
they’re making.”
Coker will likely be relegated to a backup role behind Robinson
for Saturday’s game at Northwestern (6-3, 2-3). Asked Tuesday if
Robinson had suffered a concussion after an apparent head injury
late in a 37-6 win over Michigan State on Oct. 30, Ferentz would
only say that he was “injured” but should be ready to go against the
Wildcats.
Coker showed last weekend that he’s already far enough along to
give Robinson the occasional breather — and more than that if
needed.
The 6-foot, 230-pound Coker simply lowered his shoulders, ran
through open holes and bullied his way through Indiana defenders
on many of his 22 carries.
“I thought he showed toughness. He got banged around a little bit
Saturday, and there were some times there where I was wondering
whether he was going to have to come out of there,” said Ferentz,
who doesn’t allow true freshmen to speak to the media. “He got
smacked a couple times, so I thought he was really — it was impressive.”
Morris, a true freshman from nearby Solon, Iowa, moved into the
middle linebacker spot two weeks ago and has apparently locked
down the starting job.
GIGERʼS GAME
BREAKDOWN
PENN STATE
QB Matt McGloin has been impressive
against bad defenses, but now comes a
huge test. The Buckeyes have an outstanding
defense that should shut
down PSU’s running game, so Mc-
Gloin won’t have luxury of a balanced
attack in this one.
Lions will have to be stingy to keep
team in game. Pryor is better, more
dangerous passer than past two years,
plus RB Dan Herron (657 yards) is
tough runner. PSU’s front seven will
have to play well, led by DTs Devon
Still and Ollie Ogbu.
P Anthony Fera will need a big game
to help with field position. He’s had
ups and downs but has solid average of
41.2. If PSU has to settle for FGs, it
will lose badly. Still, Collin Wagner
(16-of-20) must come through when
asked in hostile environment.
These statistics are wild. PSU is 1-12
on the road against ranked teams going
back to 2002. It also has scored no
more than one TD in any game at Ohio
State since joining Big Ten (8 games).
Columbus has never been kind to PSU,
and it won’t be here.
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
COACHING/INTANGIBLES
OHIO STATE
PSU hasn’t been able to stop running
QBs Denard Robinson or Dan Persa,
and it will get stiff challenge with Terrelle
Pryor. He has only 463 yards in
nine games but guaranteed this week
he would get to 1,000. He’s completing
67.6 percent of passes.
Buckeyes have terrific, balanced defense,
ranking fourth in nation stopping
run (84 yards per game) and
holding opponents to only 150 yards
passing. There’s talent everywhere,
led by DE Cameron Heyward, CB
Chimdi Chekwa and LB Brian Rolle.
PK Devin Barclay is 13-of-16 on FGs
with a long of 42. P Ben Buchanan averaging
40.3 yards. So in those two areas,
PSU has advantage. PR Jordan
Hall is good one, averaging 9.7 yards.
Game probably won’t come down to
this for Ohio State.
Buckeyes were eliminated from national
title contention with loss to Wisconsin,
but they have crushed Purdue
(49-0) and Minnesota (52-10) since
then. Pryor can say this is just another
game, but he surely loves beating
his home-state team.
PREDICTION: PSU had a better team, was favored and playing at home last year and still lost, 24-7. The big point spread
is justified here. OHIO STATE 27, PENN STATE 10
3 - Penn State Game Day - FRIDAY, November 12. 2010
PICKING THE GAME
THE EXPRESS STAFF PREDICTIONS
The Weasel
Tom Fox
Kimmy M.
Nate Wilson
Eric Peddigree
Zach Rote
Ohio State 27
Penn State 17:
Nits are much
improved but
Buckeyes donʼt
lose at home.
Weaselʼs record: 8-1
Ohio State 27
Matt McGloin 7:
I donʼt cheer for
PSU. I only cheer
for Matt McGloin,
a West Sider.
Ohio State 41
Penn State 28:
I stoped caring
after the Michigan
loss in Happy Valley.
Ohio State 35
Penn State 17:
What can I say?
I am a realist.
Ohio State 35
Penn State 21:
Brutus still too
strong for
rejuvenated
Nittany Lions.
Ericʼs record: 7-2
Ohio State 38
Penn State 24:
(Editorʼs Note:
Zach doesnʼt
even think PSU
wins this week.)
Foxʼs record: 7-2
Kimmyʼs record: 6-3
Nateʼs record: 7-2
Zachʼs record: 5-4