STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -In times of adversity, not many coaches can draw upon six decades of experience at the same school. Joe Paterno never runs out of tales to boost his players’ spirits.
This week’s offering comes from 1982. The Nittany Lions’ only loss that season came early at Alabama, and Paterno recounted Tuesday how the Crimson Tide scored a touchdown off a blocked kick. But Penn State finished that season on a seven-game winning streak to claim the national championship.
JoePa’s point? All hope isn’t lost in Happy Valley after then-unranked Iowa upset No. 15 Penn State, 21-10 last week.
“That’s going to be on our mind as the season progresses,” linebacker Josh Hull said Tuesday after Paterno recounted the same story to the players in the days following the loss to Iowa.
The Nittany Lions (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) will try to rebound this weekend when they hit the road for the first time in 2009 with a trip to Illinois.
Practice so far this week has gone well, Paterno said.
to find out if we’ve got some fighters. It’s a simple as that,” Paterno said. “If you get knocked down, you feel sorry for yourself. You get up angry. I think they’ll be angry. I think we’ll do well.”
Iowa put a severe dent into the plans of many die-hard blue-and-white fans hoping to go to this year’s national title game after Penn State peaked at No. 5 last week in the AP Top 25.
“Obviously, no one wants to get licked, but I think there are things that can be learned from it,” Paterno said.
Iowa’s defensive front appeared to control Penn State’s offensive line the last three quarters of the game, and quarterback Daryll Clark often didn’t have much time to throw. Clark appeared to be out of sync when he did have time.
Tailback Evan Royster, a 1,200-yard rusher last season, was held to his third sub-100 yard-game of the year.
Paterno might make a change at right tackle, where he said he would replace sophomore starter DeOn’tae Pannell with senior Nerraw McCormack “if we played tomorrow.” Pannell got pulled Saturday after allowing a sack in the end zone that gave Iowa a safety.
Paterno already has made one switch along the line at left guard, inserting sophomore Johnnie Troutman into the lineup two weeks ago.
Otherwise, Paterno seems pleased with his blockers.
“I think the offensive line is doing much better,” Paterno said. “I think they’re coming along pretty well.”
The most obvious problem last week was turnovers: four total, all in the second half and three alone in the fourth quarter. Clark was picked off three times.
Penn State also lost the special teams matchup, getting pinned deep against its own zone twice in the second quarter, and having a blocked punt return for a touchdown.
“We didn’t throw the ball (well). We didn’t catch it … It was a combination of things,” Paterno said. “I really couldn’t put my finger on one thing. It certainly wasn’t a lack of effort.”
The soothing words are part of Paterno’s coaching blueprint, devised from 60 years at Penn State, the last 44 as the head coach.
“Definitely, it’s not devastation,” tight end Andrew Quarless said when asked to assess the mood of the team. “We’re still on the same track. We don’t worry about the polls too much.”
Linebacker Sean Lee’s left knee, though, remains a concern after he sprained it in the Sept. 19 win over Temple and could not play in the Iowa game.
Lee said he’s only started jogging, though the knee is getting better. He is listed as possible on the injury report, and it’s up to doctors to determine his availability for Illinois.
“As soon as I can get to feeling 100 percent and ready to go, I will be out there,” said Lee, who will likely have to wear a brace on the knee the rest of the season.
Whether or not he’s drilling teammates, Lee remains a vocal leader at practice, where he encourages teammates and listens to his head coach’s motivational tactics.
On Tuesday, Paterno reminded reporters that Florida won the national title last year with one loss, just like the 1982 Nittany Lions.
“That would be nice if it was forerunner for what might happen this year, but that’s ridiculous,” Paterno said. “What happened then, happened then. What happens from here on in, we got to make happen.”
Add A Comment