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 [ Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006 ] Penn State defeats Akron
By Scott Cooper
Collegian Staff Writer
In the first game of the Anthony Morelli era of Penn State football, the junior quarterback with the golden arm experienced both the highs and the lows of major college football. Fortunately for Morelli and the Nittany Lions, the highs occurred far more frequently on this rainy Saturday afternoon, as No. 19 Penn State beat Akron 34-16. |
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On his initial pass as Penn State's starting quarterback, Morelli fired a well-placed ball just past the flailing arms of two Zip defenders and into the waiting hands of Deon Butler in the end zone. The 42-yard strike put Penn State ahead 7-0, giving the Lions a lead that - despite some sluggish play at times - they would not relinquish. The Penn State defense was stout; frustrating highly regarded Akron quarterback Luke Getsy all day long. Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley's squad used a variety of formations, mainly showing a 3-4 throughout the game. On passing downs the Lions occasionally came out with just two down linemen, leaving a few of the four linebackers to rush the passer. No matter what the Lions showed before the snap though, they had little trouble invading the Akron backfield. Tim Shaw recorded two sacks from his rushing outside linebacker spot, while Dan Connor got one of his own when he took down Getsy for a five-yard loss in the first quarter. Josh Gaines and Jay Alford teamed up to take Getsy down once more in the second half. With a 17-3 lead at halftime, the offense gave the defense all the breathing room it would need. |
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PHOTO: Andrew Gehman
Andthony Morelli (14) passes the football downfield.
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On their third drive of the game, the Lions took advantage of their superior speed. On first-and-10 from his own 38, Morelli handed to Derrick Williams, who then pitched back to true freshman AJ Wallace on a reverse. Wallace scampered down the Penn State sideline for a 42-yard gain. Four plays later, Morelli hit Jordan Norwood on a crossing pattern that the sophomore receiver turned into his first career touchdown reception. Morelli and the Lions offense stalled, however, after taking the 17-0 lead. Penn State continued its sluggish play to start the second half, as Wallace found daylight on the half's opening kick return, only to fumble at midfield. The Zips recovered and used the favorable starting field position to mount their first touchdown drive of the game. The Zips faced a fourth-and-seven on the Penn State 17, but did not hesitate to go for it. Getsy fired to tight end Kris Kasparek 10 yards downfield to prolong the drive. Tailback Dennis Kennedy capped off the scoring drive by kicking to the outside, where he barreled over cornerback Justin King and beat the other Lions defenders to the sideline. Akron kicker Matt Domonkos justified coach JD Brookhart's lack of faith in him by shanking the extra point, leaving the score at 17-9 early in the third quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Wallace atoned for his error by reversing field for a 54-yard pickup, giving Penn State good starting field position at the Akron 40. Though able to move the ball when necessary, the Lions were unable to establish the rushing game. Tony Hunt lost five yards on two carries following Wallace's return, but Morelli's 20-yard pass to an open Williams in the end zone, followed by Kevin Kelly's extra point, gave Penn State a 24-9 cushion. The lack of success on the ground for Penn State's offense resulted in Akron dominating of the time of possession, keeping the Lions defense on the field for more than 37 minutes, 30 of which came in the first three quarters. After a 28-yard punt return by Derrick Williams, Penn State used the short field to attempt, yet again, to establish a ground presence. The Lions were a bit more successful this time around, as Tony Hunt blew the game open with a 5-yard touchdown run. As the Lions took a 31-9 lead, many of the 106,505 fans in attendance dispersed from the ran-soaked stadium. 
PHOTO: Andrew Lala
Tyrell Sales (46) tackles Akron's Andre Jones (21) during Saturday's game.
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