By FRANK BODANI
This proud Penn State football family now has an unusual extra week to soak in an unusual season of accomplishment.
When is the last time the Nittany Lions had a bye week before the last regular season game of the year?
One line of thinking is that an extra week of rest and practice is the last thing these suddenly powerful Lions need on their way to a possible Big Ten title. Don’t halt momentum. Go and finish the job as soon as possible at Michigan State.
But there is another line of thought.
One that says these players could use some time to heal the minor wounds of 10 straight football games.
Time to let the idea of their turnaround soak in — to fuel them for their finale on Nov. 19 and the bowl game to follow.
A loss of focus?
“You shouldn’t worry about that,� said cornerback Alan Zemaitis. “We’re going to be banging (in practice). Joe’s going to have us killing each other. It’s going to almost be like a game next week.�
There is time, now, to step back and appreciate how far this program has come in the past year.
How far this defense has taken it.
Go back to early November of 2004. The Lions were coming off a dreary 14-7 loss to Northwestern at home, some fans watching with bags over their heads. The team was 0-6 in the Big Ten. And that was on top of the 3-9 disaster of 2003.
There was more than a lack of speed and security at the wide receiver position. There seemed to be a lack of confidence flowing through the entire team.
How do you make the play that wins a close game if you doubt you can make it?
But the defense hung together with talent and toughness. And finally it made the critical plays at the end to preserve a victory — no matter that it was against depressed Indiana.
Finally, there was a reward.
And that fueled another victory the following week to end the season.
There was definitely a change, a recovery in the making.
And the defense was leading the charge.
Despite the luxury of those speedy playmakers who joined for this season, it’s the Penn State defense that has continued to be the backbone of this 9-1 team.
With this defense, there is no excuse for not handling Michigan State in two weeks.
No reason why the Lions cannot win their bowl, no matter how much national recognition their opponent brings. While the Lions’ offense cannot match the power of a Texas or USC, you might be surprised at how well this PSU defense would fare against such a challenge.
Remember, those offenses have not faced a defense quite like this one, either.
“Our team is something special, man,� Zemaitis said. “Every week we get better.�
Minnesota’s Laurence Maroney came into Beaver Stadium with Heisman Trophy hype. He left with 48 yards on 16 carries.
Wisconsin’s Brian Calhoun had similar hopes, averaging 135 rushing yards a game before last Saturday. He left Beaver Stadium with 38 yards on 20 carries — 1.9 yards per attempt.
Penn State’s line is quick, relentless, pounding. Not as talented, man-for-man, as the 2002 group of Jimmy Kennedy, Anthony Adams and Michael Haynes, but more consistent. Tougher, play-for-play.
The linebackers combine game-changing pursuit speed with instincts.
The defensive backs cover well and hit harder. They intimidate.
There is a current of hard-edged attitude and desire running through this defense, a feeling built by seasons of fighting through losing and disappointment. And then finally tasting success.
It’s a feeling that has seeped its way into the entire team, one week at a time.
There are players like Zemaitis and rush-end Tamba Hali and linebacker Paul Posluszny who appear hell-bent on protecting the rest of this season in the face of whatever comes.
And that’s why Penn State will travel to Michigan State and beat the Spartans with a pounding, numbing efficiency to win its first Big Ten title in 11 years.
And then move on to show the rest of the nation what fans here have seen building for a year now.
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