It wasn't so much that it happened -- heck, it wasn't the first time someone ran the ball down the Nittany Lions' throats during the 2003 season.

No, the embarrassment of it had more to do with whom it was that dished out the physical beating.

Northwestern.

And a mediocre Northwestern team at that.

This was no powerhouse of the Gary Barnett era in the mid-90s, but the Wildcats still managed to gain 253 yards on the ground on their way to a 17-7 victory in Evanston, Ill.

Even though stopping the run was an issue throughout the season, there really was no greater insult to the 2003 Penn State defense than what happened against Northwestern.

And for a team already eliminated from bowl eligibility with a 2-6 record, last year's debacle could easily serve as a method for motivation where there otherwise might be none.

"Defensively last year, we had a really tough time," Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny said.

"We made mistakes that really cost us down the stretch. We made way too many mistakes."

Mistakes were one thing, but the Lions were also completely dominated up front. Running back Noah Herron -- playing in place of All-Big Ten running back Jason Wright, who was injured -- sped through enormous holes during the entire gloomy afternoon on his way to 180 yards.

"We gave up a lot of yards on the ground," defensive tackle Ed Johnson said. "A lot of times we seemed not together out there."

But what a difference a year can make.

This season, the Penn State defense ranks in the top 15 in the country in three different categories (total defense, pass defense and scoring defense) and has been called one of the conference's most physical units. Only Wisconsin's wrecking crew seems to draw more praise.

And yet, what little difference the changes during the year have really made. At least when it comes to wins and losses.

"If you compare us to last year, we are a lot different than last year even though our record is the same," Posluszny said. "We're a much different team on defense."

The Lions have talked about pride a lot this week because, well, there isn't much else to say. But, with the way things have gone for Penn State this season, the defense has ended up playing for pride all along.

"Defensively, yeah, we wanna do as well as we can no matter what," Posluszny said.

In other words, whatever they can do to win or lose. It's just that lately it's been lose, despite stellar defensive efforts.

This game should present a particularly interesting challenge for the Penn State defenders.

Northwestern uses a balanced spread offense, mixing the run and the pass while using three and four wide in a variety of shotgun formations.

But, unlike last season, the type of offense the Lions defense goes up against this year never really seems to matter. They're own offensive counterparts tend to give them more trouble.

"We are playing very good defense," Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. "And we have to continue to play very good defense until we play better offensively."