Penn State's offense started slowly on Saturday against Florida International, particularly in the rushing game, but the Nittany Lion defense was solid throughout. And two not-so-well-known players particularly stood out: Ollie Ogbu and Navarro Bowman.
Ogbu, a defensive tackle, showed remarkable agility and quickly knifed through the offensive line. Bowman, a backup linebacker used primarily on special teams, was all over the field.
Ogbu, one of the most talked-about players of the preseason, made his first start Saturday. He had two tackles and a forced fumble, making his impact felt.
"He's such an intense competitor," linebacker Sean Lee said. "During the summer, we'd always talk and I'd encourage him because he's going to step up and be one of our better players."
Bowman, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound redshirt freshman, had two tackles. Most notably, Bowman forced and recovered a fumble and blocked a punt.
"I felt great," he said. "I think of myself as a playmaker, just waiting for my -- well, not exactly waiting for my shot to get on the field, but, you know, special teams is a big part of football, too. So whenever I can get a chance on the field and contribute to my team, I'm happy to do that."
With 12:56 left in the third quarter, Bowman chased down FIU speedster Lionell Singleton, stripped the ball loose and then recovered it. The turnover led to a Penn State 25-yard scoring drive.
"Bowman played great," linebacker Dan Connor said. "He's a big-time playmaker. Big hitter, great pass rusher. He can do it all. With him and Ty [Sales] at [outside linebacker], we can go back-and-forth."
Day to remember
Offense: Anthony Morelli, QB. Morelli had 231 passing yards in the first half, breaking a 10-year-old school record for yards in a half (219) held by current assistant coach Mike McQueary.
Defense: Sean Lee, LB. Lee was named Big Ten defensive player of the week following his seven tackle, one sack and one forced fumble performance. "There's a little bit of a zone you get into," Lee said after the game. "I worked hard all summer to be in on every play."
Day to forget
Offense: Austin Scott, RB. It's hard to find someone with a forgetful day from an offense that scored 59 points, but Scott is that person. Evan Royster and Rodney Kinlaw both averaged more than eight yards per carry while Scott averaged 4.2.
Defense: No one. It's even harder to find a person with a day to forget on a defense that allows the opposition to enter its red zone just once. It would have been defensive tackle Phil Taylor, who had just one tackle, but he blocked a field goal, which was FIU's only scoring opportunity.
Did you notice?
Wide receiver Chris Bell wearing a "Vote for Pedro" T-shirt, a la Napolean Dynamite, in warm-ups. ... The winner of the Penn State rapper contest, Spuds MaKenzie, performing in the south end zone during halftime. ... All the fumbles. Penn State and FIU combined for 10 fumbles. The Golden Panthers lost five of their six. The Lions lost two of four.
Quotable
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley on the Sunday stadium cleanup:
"[Joe Paterno] didn't ask us to come over, but I told people if I did, and I found out what section I had, I would put a little note up there. 'Please do not throw any paper. I have video surveillance on this section.' I think that's something he wanted the players to handle, and they will."
Extra point
The Penn State football team had its first stadium cleanup of the season. The cleanup was punishment after six players were arrested in connection with an off-campus fight this spring. Justin King said Saturday that the cleanup was expected to start around 7:45 a.m. and "it shouldn't take long at all."
