College football preview: Penn State at Northwestern
Penn State (7-1, 3-1) at Northwestern (5-3, 2-2)
When: 3:30 p.m. at Ryan Field
TV: ESPN; Radio: WGN 720-AM, WNUR 89.1-FM
Series: Penn State leads 9-3
Coaches: Joe Paterno (390-128-3, 44th year at Penn State); Pat Fitzgerald (24-21, fourth year at NU)
Players to watch: Penn State's national-best scoring defense (8.9 ppg) is led by LBs Navorro Bowman (44 tackles, 9 TFLs), Josh Hull (79 tackles, 7.5 TFLs) and Sean Lee (37 tackles, 7.5 TFLs). Daryll Clark, the reigning Big Ten offensive player of the week, is a finalist or semifinalist for every national quarterbacking award. He leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency (148.3 rating) and ranks third in total yards. Junior RB Evan Royster (741 yards, 4 TDs) has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in four of the last six games.
Senior QB Mike Kafka leads the Big Ten in total yards (284.1 ypg) while WRs Zeke Markshausen and Andrew Brewer have teamed up for 40 catches in the last two games. RB Scott Concannon gets his first start after going for a career-high 73 yards in last week's win over Indiana. The secondary likely will be without senior cornerback Sherrick McManis, who's listed as questionable with an ailing quadriceps.
The skinny: This is a big event, but not just because Northwestern has labeled it "Purplepalooza" and plans to paint former All-American running back Darnell Autry's body in the school's primary color. This is Northwestern's first game this season against a nationally ranked team - and No. 12 Penn State is the only one of the Wildcats' first nine opponents to boast a winning record. Since the Nittany Lions rank among the nation's top four defenses in scoring (8.9 ppg), rushing defense (79.8 ypg), pass-efficiency defense (91.7 rating) and total defense (240.3 ypg), the Wildcats must hope to be able to match zeroes with the visitors. Fortunately for NU, senior safeties Brendan Smith (broken thumb) and Brad Phillips (shoulder) look like they're ready to go. Their excellence and experience give the Cats a chance to stop the Big Ten's best total-offense team (428.1 ypg).
- Lindsey Willhite