University Park, PA -- Penn State upset No. 7 Nebraska 40-7 Saturday night, handing the Huskers their worst loss in twelve years. The Lions jumped to an early 7-0 lead on a Larry Johnson touchdown run from seven yards out and Nebraska pulled even just minutes later on the strength of a Judd Davies touchdown. The record crowd of 110,753 prepared for a clash of titans, but Penn State had other plans as its defense closed the door, and the Lions buried the Huskers under 33 unanswered points.
| Zack Mills passed for 229 yards against Nebraska |
With the decisive victory, the Lions announce their return to national prominence, and after two losing campaigns, look like an entirely new football team. "The biggest change was mental," said Zack Mills in the glow of the win. "We didn't turn it over - I haven't turned the ball over with an interception yet this season. That's the biggest difference. We had some success last year and we took that into spring and summer. I hope we can carry it forward."
Nearly fifty players from the 1982 National Championship team were on hand for the contest, and prior to kickoff Shane Conlan offered his opinion on the keys to the game. "Obviously we need to stop the option," said Conlan, one of the finest linebackers in Penn State history. "If we can do that, we'll be ok." Asked if he'd like to help out, Conlan laughed, "I just wish I could still run."
The Penn State defense was more than up to Conlan's challenge, holding Nebraska to 252 yards rushing and only 76 yards passing, while the Lions racked up just shy of 500 yards of total offense. Zack Mills threw for 259 yards and Larry Johnson rushed 19 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Back up quarterback Michael Robinson added a wrinkle to the Penn State offense, running four times from various alignments, for 56 yards and two touchdowns.
"Our defense was very tough," Paterno said. "We were better than we've been in a long time."
Earlier in the week, Nebraska head coach Frank Solich, who grew up near Johnstown, said he has happy memories of his Pennsylvania childhood. "I like the area, to me it's a beautiful area. Anytime you grow up somewhere in your early childhood, you always have some fond memories." Unfortunately for Solich, this was not an evening for making happy memories.
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"In the second half, they put points on the board, and it just kind of snowballed,'' Solich said. "It did seem we played the game with greatly diminished energy as we fell behind."
"I think Nebraska just had one of those nights," said Paterno in the understatement of the day. "I really thought we had a shot at winning, but anyone who thinks you have a shot at winning by 30 points is nuts," he added.
In just the seventh night game in Beaver Stadium history, the Lions could seemingly do no wrong. After Nebraska's answering score, Penn State Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley made the necessary adjustments to blank the Huskers for the next forty minutes.
The Penn State defensive line hurried Husker quarterback Jammal Lord all night, and cornerback Rich Gardner intercepted a Lord pass and returned it for a touchdown. The defensive unit combined for five tackles for loss, and even kicker David Kimball got in on the action, making a touchdown-saving tackle on return specialist Josh Davis at the start of Nebraska's final drive.
| Larry Johnson likes the night games |
Although Paterno is not an avid supporter of scheduling evening contests - he admits to liking only 1 o'clock kickoffs - his players like the change of pace. "It's like Monday Night Football. When the lights come on, everyone's all pumped up and excited, the students are all riled up," Larry Johnson said. "I think we should have more night games, if it's possible, because I like them."
"It's exciting to play at night, and on national TV too," Zack Mills agreed. "I grew up playing night games, so I've always enjoyed it. I think night games are fun. It's a different atmosphere at college games, particularly at Penn State."
Paterno is rumored to be reconsidering his position; 40-7 wins can be very influential.
Despite the lopsided final score, this game was far from decided at the half. Penn State took a 13-7 lead into the locker room, and started the third quarter with what may prove to be a season defining drive. Mills led the Lions on a 16 play, 80 yard march to start the second half, right when they most needed to put Nebraska away, and put Penn State up 19-7. Just five plays later, Gardner returned his interception 42 yards for a touchdown to make it 26-7, and Nebraska was down for the count.
With the win, the Nittany Lions build on their series lead, and now hold a 7-5 advantage over the Cornhuskers. Penn State is 4-3 in night games at Beaver Stadium and has a record of 199-47 in the 107,000-seat stadium since 1960. Joe Paterno improves his head coaching effort to 3-3 lifetime against Nebraska and the win is Paterno's 329th career victory.
Winners of seven of their last nine games, Penn State next hosts Louisiana Tech before opening up the Big Ten schedule at home against Iowa.
| A record 110,753 fans watch PSU dismantle the Huskers |
"We have ten tough games ahead. We had better keep our heads down," warned Paterno.