Graham Zug News

It's not like Penn State's football team is lacking for attention. Six Nittany Lions - quarterback Daryll Clark, running back Evan Royster, center Stefen Wisniewski, tackle Dennis Landolt, defensive tackle Jared Odrick and linebacker Navorro Bowman - made first team all-Big Ten Conference according to the league's coaches.

URL: http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/penn_state_hammers_spartans_4214_in_final_regular_season_game Current Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:27 -0500 Sophomore wide receiver B.J. Cunningham catches a pass from sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Yes, is it possible to chant, "BCS,'' with heartfelt gusto. Less poetic than, "We smell roses,'' but it worked Saturday, not just as something for Penn State's fans to yell but, apparently, to motivate its players.

If the BCS were decided by the events that unfolded this weekend, Penn State would be heading to a big bowl game before Iowa or Oklahoma State.

The buzz: The Spartans were unable to reach seven regular-season wins, falling to Penn State, 42-14, at home.

An 11-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Charlie Gantt with 45 seconds left in the first half has Michigan State tied with Penn State at the half, 7-7. The Spartans, who are already assured a bowl game based on Michigan's loss to Ohio State, are trying to finish 7-5 and ensure a warm-weather bowl trip.

Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 31-20 win over Indiana Saturday at Beaver Stadium: Play of the game: On second-and-7 from the Nittany Lions' 28, Navorro Bowman intercepted Ben Chappell and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown that gave PSU its first lead at 17-10 with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter.

But Paterno's confident Lions will pick it up in time for showdown with Michigan State.

York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Frank Bodani talks Penn State with readers every Monday during football season.

OFFENSE: C. Best thing about QB Daryll Clark's day was his ability to make plays with feet .

A year ago, Penn State rolled to a 31-point victory against Michigan State in the regular-season finale at Beaver Stadium.

The emotions rose up early, even before this final home game for the beloved Penn State seniors.

" "Misadventures in Happy Valley" - "that would be a catchy and fitting title to a new movie starring the Penn State special teams unit.

Penn State had committed four turnovers and forced none. The Nittany Lions have bumbled their way through an entire half of football on offense and special teams.

Senior Jeremy Boone is averaging a career-best 44.1 yards per punt, dropping 36 percent of his attempts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

Ohio State's Ray Small returned seven punts for 130 yards Saturday in the Buckeyes' 24-7 victory at State College.

Penn State's five-game winning streak came to end as Ohio State came out on top, 24-7, in battle of two of the nation's premier defenses.

Offensive line The big difference in this showdown was the play of the quarterbacks.

Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor stiff arms Penn State's Stephon Morris during the Buckeyes 24-7 win at Beaver Stadium.

Once again, there were stone-faced, quiet jogs off the field as they headed to the locker room at the end of another significant afternoon.