LIONS TOP CENTRAL FLORIDA IN TYPICAL PENN STATE GAME

By:K.Cara

Nittany Lions top UCF. Victory answers some questions, and raises others.

The Blue Band came out, the Drum Major did his flip, the Lions ran out of the tunnel, it seemed like a typical football Saturday in Happy Valley. The only question up in the air, what team would show up to play? The one that turned heads toward the end of last season, or the one that had people shaking there heads in the beginning of last year?

The game began in typical fashion, the Nittany Lions would kick off and take the ball after half time. Then it began, some of the age old questions of recent Penn State history came to mind. On UCF's first drive, the Lions' defense looked great, until the third and long situation. UCF kept converting and kept their drive alive. This had everyone asking, why is it that zone coverage never works on third and long for Penn State? Then we had more typical Penn State football, when UCF got into the red zone, the PSU "D" rose to the occasion, and held them to three points.

Then it was time for Zack Mills to take the field. In Penn State fans' eyes, Mills could do no wrong. If he said 2 and 2 is 64, no one would question him. So, is all the attention he is getting a blessing or a curse for Mills? Well, on the first drive he seemed calm and collected as he hit Bryant Johnson a few times through the air, including a big third and long play. That would eventually set up a score from a player with guess what last name...Johnson! Larry Johnson took the ball into the endzone and the Lions took a lead they would never give up. PSU would tack on a field goal to make it 10-3 at the end of 1.

So, in the second quarter it was time for the Nittany Lions "score at will offense," right? Well... no. The defense again gave up the big play on third down, but UCF only got away with 2 field goals. Nittany Lion fans had an uneasy feeling when, at half time, UCF's QB Schneider almost matched the stats of Mills. More importantly, the score was almost matched, 10-9.

Joe Pa was a little unhappy with the enthusiasm of the Lions in the first half, and right from the first kick-off in the third quarter, it seemed things would go the Lions' way. Larry Johnson brought back the kick 50 some yards and into UCF territory. Guess what happened next...no the game wasn't blown open, it was three and out. The Lions blocked a field goal and caused 2 turnovers in the third quarter (something I thought Penn State gave up on last year). Penn State had the ball in UCF territory for most of the third quarter, but only came away with one touchdown and a field goal, making the score 20-9. The third quarter also began the Michael Haynes show on the defensive side of the ball.

In the fouth quarter, PSU added one more touchdown, and late in the game UCF got into the endzone twice to make the score look as close as the game really was. The final score, Penn State-27 UCF-23. The Lions start the season at 1-0 and get ready to host Nebraska in 2 weeks.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Penn State won the game. At times it was ugly, other times it looked pretty good. Still too many questions to say that this will be the season to bring the Nittany Lions back to the top of the conference, but they played well against a very good, under rated UCF team. Penn State saw a great passing attack today, and a determined team as a whole. As for the score, of all people, do you really think Joe cares how much you win by? I'm sure he won't be happy that UCF marched down the field with such ease late in the fourth quarter, but it's not time to linger on that, it's time to improve for Nebraska.

THE GOOD NEWS:

L.J. looked pretty good, not only in the back field, but all over the place, earning 92 yards on 18 carries and 132 total yards. Zack Mills wasn't superhuman but still had a very good game throwing no INT's, although he scared me a few times, including that one lob that Tony Johnson some how caught. Mills was 13 of 20 for 194 yards and 2 TD's. The J&J receiving connection played great combining 139 yards and a touchdown. Sean McHugh also had a good game. On defense, the Lions looked strong for most of the game, led by Michael Haynes.

THE BAD NEWS:

The offense looked good, but still not explosive. It is early in the season and they have the talent and the time to work that out. Lots of mistakes on the offensive side of the ball, fumbles and such. Also, in the first half some shaky special teams play, like Bryant Johnson's fumble. The defense played well, but still has problems on very key third down plays. The game would have been a whole lot different if the defense could have held on alot of those third and very long plays. The zone defense just doesn't seem to work there. Then again, I'm not Coach Paterno. UCF was 11 of 19 on third down.

OVERALL:

It wasn't a bad game, but it wasn't a good game. Alot of room left for improvement, but the Lions got a season opening win against a quality team. A good learning experience for both teams.

I PREDICTED:

Penn State-42 UCF-24

THE REAL SCORE:

Penn State-27 UCF-24

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Larry Johnson (132 total yards.)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Michael Haynes (Watch the highlights, you'll see why.)

PLAYS OF THE GAME:

Tony Johnson's grab of a pass Zack Mills just sort of threw up there. Also, the blocked field goal. Any one of Michael Haynes' sacks.

By:K.Cara

LINKS

PICS FROM UCF GAME
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PREVIEW OF NEBRASKA GAME
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