Traditionalists, rest your hearts.
After weeks of watching newfangled offenses featuring "passing" march into Beaver Stadium, tomorrow's showdown with Iowa might feature two opponents that still have a vested interest in running the ball.
The Hawkeyes currently lead the Big Ten in total rushing offense, averaging 271.6 yards per game on the ground, and running back Fred Russell is averaging 7.5 yards per carry while piling up 471 yards after three games. A big reason for that success is Iowa's massive offensive line that weighs in at 1,484 pounds collectively.
"I think it is a heck of an offensive line," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "It is probably the best offensive line we have seen so far."
The test for the Nittany Lions will be how they adjust to an old-school, smashmouth offense after two games against opponents that run primarily a spread offense in Central Florida and Louisiana Tech, and an option-based Nebraska attack.
Of course, Penn State is 3-0 after seeing varied attacks so far, thanks in large part to the adaptations the team has made at halftime. The Lions have been out-and-out dominating in the third quarter this season, holding opponents to seven points in the period.
"I don't know why it is, but I like it," Penn State tackle Anthony Adams said of his team's third quarter play. "I think everybody feeds off it, and we got the crowd into it and the offensive guys feed off it as well."
That offense, which has thrown in more than a few plays that differentiate from the standard run-the-ball to set up the running game the Lions have built a reputation on, is giving Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz trepidation with good reason. Of the four teams the Hawkeyes have played, all of them have operated a high-flying passing attack, giving his front four few opportunities to prepare for a power runner like Penn State's Larry Johnson.
"I'm not sure if we can stop the run yet," Ferentz said. "If Penn State throws 57 formations at us, we can handle that, but I don't know if we can stop the run."
Ferentz will know before the weekend is out. Johnson, who has had back-to-back 100-yard games, a feat not seen in Happy Valley in three seasons, has benefited from the Lions' revived passing attack and will probably get more touches this weekend than the 18 he is averaging per game.
"When we decide to give the ball to Larry, there is a decent chance he'll get some yardage out of it," Paterno said, "because the defense can't really stack up against us as they have done in the past."
