Home >  Sports >  Penn State

Monday, September 02, 2002

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

When most defenses face third-and-long situations, they force opposing offenses into low-percentage plays. But when those offenses face the Penn State defense, they seem to have the Nittany Lions right where they want them.

Getting off the field was a huge concern for Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley last season. If Saturday's opener against Central Florida is any indication, Bradley has reason for concern this season, too.

Central Florida was 11 of 19 on third downs against Penn State, but it was the manner in which the Golden Knights made first down after first down that bothered the Penn State defense. The Golden Knights converted nine times when it was third-and-7 or more. They converted a third-and-12, a third-and-15, a third-and-19 and a third-and-22.

"Most of the time they did a lot of deep in-routes, and they were finding the gaps in our zone drops," senior safety Shawn Mayer said. "We were around the ball. We just needed to make some plays."

Central Florida converted its third downs throughout the game. The Golden Knights made a third-and-8 and a third-and-12 on their first drive (13 plays, 5:51), which resulted in a field goal. On their third series, they made a third-and-19 when Ryan Schneider connected with Doug Gabriel on a 19-yard play.

On their fourth series of the second half, they converted a third-and-15 when Gabriel reeled in a 32-yard gain. And later in the series, they made a third-and-22 when Jimmy Fryzel got behind the secondary for a 45-yard gain.

That play was particularly galling to Coach Joe Paterno.

"Third-and-22, and they throw behind you," Paterno said shaking his head. "In a zone. You tell me. ... There were a couple of things that bothered me. It bothered me that we didn't have anyone in there who could go in and grab one of those passes. We stood around and watched them catch it. I wasn't real happy with that."

Some of the problems stemmed from Penn State playing with two first-year starters in the secondary. Richard Gardner and Chris Harrell started their first games at cornerback and safety, respectively. Freshman Calvin Lowry and redshirt freshman Paul Cronin also played a lot in the nickel and dime packages.

"This team picked on our weakness, which is our secondary," said defensive end Michael Haynes, who had a strong game and recorded two sacks. "Now we have to tighten it up a little bit and focus on fundamentals. I'm glad we have an extra week, so we can fix our mistakes."

Paterno acknowledged mental mistakes by the younger defensive backs. Players lined up wrong, and at times, didn't perform assignments. But he said the mistakes are correctable and believes the rookies will get better.

"I think we have some kids who have to play a little more, get a little more confidence," Paterno said. "It's not a question of being faster, it's a question of playing faster. If we're that much quicker a couple of times we could have had five turnovers. We're there, but we just don't have enough confidence to pin our ears back and go for it. We have to play faster. When we play faster, we'll get better.

"It's just a question of confidence. They see things, but they're not sure they see them. Then they see them and say, 'Should I go?' They just haven't played enough. I always tell people playing football is a lot like driving a car. The first time you get behind a wheel after you get your license, you're like this, you see everything. Someone comes up on you, and you slam on the brakes. Then after a while, you're driving around, you've seen everything. It's like football. You have to play. Right now, it's like they're new car drivers."

Even though they gave up 410 yards (345 yards passing), the defense did force Central Florida into field-goal attempts and came up with some big plays at opportune times.

Paterno recognized that. But it would have been much more satisfying had the Golden Knights not made the nearly impossible third-and-long play look so easy.

"I think they're going to be pretty good," he said of his defense. "I think we played all right. I'm disappointed we didn't come up with a couple of interceptions. We didn't react to the ball nearly as well as I hoped we would do. I thought we were getting better in that area. Overall, I thought we played a decent game defensively. But we have a long way to go."

NOTES -- Penn State is off this week, then plays host to No. 9 Nebraska (2-0) Sept. 14. "It's an opportunity to beat a top-10 team and put Penn State back in the top 10 or top 15," QB Zack Mills said. ... Penn State allowed 65 yards rushing, the fewest since allowing 45 against Louisiana Tech in 2000. ... Larry Johnson's 175 all-purpose yards were the second most of his career. He had 179 against Illinois last season. ... Derek Wake blocked his second field goal in the fourth quarter. He also blocked one against Illinois in 2000.