Article published October 27, 2007
OSU expects all-out blitz by Penn State
Nittany Lions lead nation in sacks with 35
By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - When the chartered plane carrying the Ohio State football team arrived in central Pennsylvania yesterday, it would not have been a shock to see three or four members of the airport's ground crew rush the aircraft.
When the Buckeyes pulled up to their hotel, no one would be shocked if three bellhops and a concierge came running right at them. And when the Penn State marching band finishes the national anthem before tonight's game, the sousaphone section will likely turn and charge right at the Ohio State sideline.
After watching Michigan State's all-out blitz produce two instant touchdowns that turned last weekend's game in Columbus from a simmering rout into a nervous, tight squeeze, Penn State will no doubt employ the same approach, expecting similar results.
| OSU SCHEDULE |
• Sept. 1 - YOUNGSTOWN ST., W 38-6
• Sept. 8 - AKRON, W 20-2
• Sept. 15 - at Washington, W 33-14
• Sept. 22 - NORTHWESTERN, W 58-7
• Sept. 29 - at Minnesota, W 30-7
• Oct. 6 - at Purdue, W 23-7
• Oct. 13 - KENT STATE, W 48-3
• Oct. 20 - MICHIGAN ST., W 24-17
• Oct. 27 - at Penn State, 8 p.m. (ABC)
• Nov. 3 - WISCONSIN, TBA
• Nov. 10 - ILLINOIS, TBA
• Nov. 17 - at Michigan, TBA
HOME GAMES in BOLD |
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Ohio State junior tight end Rory Nicol, a native of Beaver, Pa., said the Nittany Lions are known for their prowess at attacking the quarterback from many directions, and with frequency. The tactic has been effective against very good teams, like Big Ten co-leader Michigan.
"They blitz a ton," Nicol said. "I watched the Michigan game and they blitzed a lot. They have two pretty good defensive ends. They've got good guys coming off the edge and they have two of the best linebackers in the game."
Penn State leads the nation in quarterback sacks with 35, accounting for 248 yards in losses by the opposition. Ohio State is the Big Ten's second-best team at preventing hits on the quarterback, allowing only nine sacks in eight games.Penn State coach Joe Paterno quarterback, allowing only nine sacks in eight games.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno
avoided tipping his hand on the pressure package his team would employ, choosing instead to address the game in generalities.
"You have to keep your team playing your game," Paterno said. "If we're good enough, we're good enough. If we're not good enough, we're not good enough."
The best of those Penn State linebackers Nicol mentioned is senior Dan Connor, who is in the running for all of the major defensive awards this season, along with Ohio State's James Laurninaitis. Connor expects the Buckeyes to be prepared for anything Penn State employs, and hopes his team is as ready.
"They're good - every year Ohio State has the top offensive line in the Big Ten and probably in the country," Connor said. "Going into a physical game like this you're always going to expect a dog fight, where you're going in, banging heads every single play. We're ready for a tough, physical game and we're prepared for it."
The Nittany Lions have had six days to endlessly rewind and review the film of Michigan State blitzing Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman and forcing a hurried throw that resulted in an interception return for a touchdown, and sacking him, forcing a fumble that went back for another Spartans score. Connor said that with ample time, Boeckman can inflict plenty of damage.
"He has the highest passing efficiency in the Big Ten, and he's a guy who can sit in the pocket and pick you apart," Connor said. "They'll do a great job setting up the pass game with a great run game. So it's the juggernaut of teams. They can do everything and get prepared for all kinds of looks."
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, who has a major role in mapping the Buckeyes' offensive strategy, said yardage will be difficult to produce against Penn State.
"Defensively, they are very difficult to move on, and hard to score on," Tressel said.
"They're a zone blitz team primarily, and the other thing they do to bring pressure is they bring great athletes. Their ends have really made a lot of hay, and their inside people are so big and strong, and that's an issue of its own. Like most teams, you better be ready for it all, and you better do a good job communicating who is blocking whom."
Tressel said the key to Ohio State having offensive success will be protecting Boeckman. Turnovers occurred in the Michigan State game when the protection broke down.
"In both cases, the quarterback got hit before he was ready to be able to distribute the ball," Tressel said. "So you can't let your quarterback get hit, and in both cases that happened, and you're going to have negative things happen when - after your quarterback has taken a couple steps - someone's right there."
Contact Matt Markey at:
mmarkey@theblade.com
or 419-724-6510.
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