Everybody loves the Johnsons. They're everywhere -- T-shirts, ESPN College Gameday -- they're nationwide.
Senior tailback Larry Johnson has embraced his role as the classic, grind-it-out Penn State runner in this new Nittany Lion offense, averaging 185 all-purpose yards per game. His brother, junior wide receiver Tony, started the season slow but has since come on strong to become a valuable target for quarterback Zack Mills. His deep-threat partner, receiver Bryant Johnson (no relation) meanwhile is Mills' primary option, averaging 104 receiving yards per game.
Heck, even Larry and Tony's dad, defensive line coach Larry Johnson, is having a good week thanks to his unit's six sacks in Saturday's 34-31 win against Wisconsin.
But somebody, presumably Penn State offensive coordinator Fran Ganter, finally said enough with the Johnsons Saturday. A change had to come -- nothing revolutionary, just a simple pass.
So, in Penn State's second offensive drive of the first quarter, Mills completed a 22-yard pass to receiver Gerald Smith. The first time a receiver not named Tony Johnson or Bryant Johnson caught a pass since last season's Michigan contest, an 11-game span.
After the game, Smith, who has split time with Ernie Terrell in the new three-receiver set, did his best to be diplomatic explaining his role in the Johnson-dominated attack.
"It kind of felt good that somebody else contributed to the offense besides the Johnsons," Smith said laughing. "But they're good players so ... I catch a lot of balls in practice and it just happened the quarterback called my number today and I was able to step up and make a great play or whatever."
Day to remember
-- Offense: Larry Johnson. With all apologies to Mills, who had another high output passing performance despite battling tendinitis in his throwing arm, Johnson continues to do more with less. This time he picked up 114 yards on only 14 carries while netting a touchdown. More telling was how the Lions' attack stalled after LJ left the game in the third quarter with a pulled hamstring.
-- Defense: DT Jimmy Kennedy. After taking all sorts of gruff from the media during the week, Kennedy responded on the field with six tackles, including four sacks. He also played a big part in holding the highly-touted Davis to only 48 yards.
Day to forget
-- Offense: Wisconsin's offensive line. The unit allowed seven sacks and never let the Badgers establish a running game with either Davis or back-up Dwayne Smith. Moreover, offensive tackle Ben Johnson's personal foul penalty on William Brand's third-quarter touchdown forced placekicker Scott Campbell to attempt the extra point from the 18-yard line. He missed.
-- Defense: Safety Shawn Mayer. While Penn State's secondary didn't see nearly as much action this week as it did earlier in the season, Mayer got burned on Wisconsin receiver Jonathan Orr's late fourth-quarter touchdown that gave the Badgers hope for the on-sides kick that eventually failed.
Statistically speaking
Mills' 686 passing yards in the Iowa and Wisconsin games set the school record for most in consecutive games ... Placekicker Robbie Gould's 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was his career long.
Did you notice?
Despite not playing, injured Badger receiver Lee Evans was a Wisconsin captain ... For the first time all season, the Lions did not lose yards on their first offensive play from scrimmage ... The small and scattered contingent of Penn State fans chanting, "We Are Penn State" following Gould's 40-yard fourth quarter field goal ... Michael Robinson on the Lions' hands team for Wisconsin's late on-sides kick.
Finally
With the first leg of the Lions' murderous road trip done, the question is whether the team can maintain Saturday's intensity heading into the Big House next week. Almost as crucial, who in the Big Ten will help the Lions out by knocking off Iowa?
