During his weekly call-in radio show Thursday night, Joe Paterno said the current issues with his right hip can be "fixed" and they will be fixed, although he did not specify a time frame for when he would get it fixed.

Paterno met with doctors Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hip demonstrating an on-side kick drill during practice the week before the season opener against Coastal Carolina.

This is what Paterno said during the show:

What I have is not something that can't be fixed. It's gonna be fixed. When we're gonna do it, I'm not sure right now. All I know is I want to get out on the road and recruit a little bit. We're not going to let this interfere with me doing the job I have to do for this football team.

Paterno also said quarterback Daryll Clark, who suffered a concussion against Ohio State has been undergoing tests all week and is expected to play against Iowa in a week and a half.

-- Wible

ESPN has called it the greatest show in college football, Sports Illustrated called it the No. 1 thing you have to do before you graduate, now USAToday has named Beaver Stadium one of "10 great places to stand and cheer college football."

ESPN/ABC college football analyst Ed Cunningham compiled the list and encouraged readers to "go before coach Paterno stops roaming the sidelines."

If you're looking for a place to watch a game with Penn State off this weekend, Cunningham's other nine venues were Tennessee's Neyland Stadium, Texas' Darrell K. Royal Stadium, Washington's Husky Stadium, Colorado's Folsom Field (check out the view), Clemson's Memorial Stadium, Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium, Mississippi's Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Nebraska's Memorial Stadium and Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium.

So if you're in the mood for a road trip, check 'em out.

-- Wible

The Denton Record-Chronicle in Denton, Tex., reported this week that 15 members North Texas' football team tested positive for drugs earlier this season.

Mean Green (great name) coach Todd Dodge ordered the testing earlier this season and the results were obtained via the Freedom of Information Act.

The paper did not release the names of the players, but I doubt these were performance enhancing drugs considering the Mean Green are 0-8 on the season have been outscored by an average of 50-16.9. And in fact coach Dodge said he ordered the tests purely for recreational drugs.

While the tests were not for performance enhancing drugs, this story does raise a storyline often overlooked in college athletics. While society often raises an eyebrow or two at the cleanliness of professional athletes, especially after the plight of Barry Bonds, college athletes rarely suspected of trying to get that extra edge.

While I'm not saying it's as rampant in college as it is in professional sports, with the ever-increasing commercialization of college athletes, and the demand asked of them, it's only natural that some, not most, but some, are delving into the world of performance enhancers.

The NCAA does have a testing policy, but with so many athletes in so many sports, it's impossible to test every one of them. Fans like to believe that all college athletes are clean, but it's stories like this one that offer a glimpse of the reality of big-time college athletics.

-- Wible

Mark Rubin forced the fumble. Navorro Bowman recovered it for Penn State.

But it was fifth-year senior linebacker, Tyrell Sales that may have made the most heads-up play on Saturday night.

As the ball bounced behind the line of scrimmage, Sales pulled Buckeye Chris "Beanie" Wells away from it, then swatted it away from Terrelle Pryor who had the next best shot at jumping on it.

Here's what Bowman had to say on Tuesday about Sales' poke:

"Yeah, that was a heck of a play by Tyrell." Bowman said on a conference call. "I didn't see it in the game. I saw it after the game. And if he hadn't done that, there's no telling who would have got the ball."

"That just all comes from guys just being on the field and having that awareness just to keep the ball alive and give you a chance to fall on it."

--Travis

If you need to wake up early and tackle your day, let Penn State's Deon Butler get you pumped up to do so.

Here's a nice look at the senior wideout psyching up his teammates on the edge of the visitor's tunnel inside Ohio Stadium before Penn State's 13-6 win over the Buckeyes.

Remember that scene in Braveheart? Compare this to that.

This clip is rated PG-13 for explicit language.

"They don't have the tradition to hold our nuts!"

--Travis

-- Safety Mark Rubin was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the week after finishing with a career-high 11 tackles and forcing a critical fumble during Saturday's 13-6 win. He was honored by the conference for the first time in his career and became the seventh Nittany Lion to receive recognition this season.

Rubin's fumble, which gave Penn State possession at Ohio State's 38-yard line when the team trailed 6-3 in the fourth quarter, was also nominated for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance. Click here to vote for Rubin.

-- The Big Ten announced kickoff for Iowa on Nov. 8 will be 3:30. The game will be an ABC regional telecast and ESPN will air the contest outside of ABC's coverage area.

-- Check back later for an update on Daryll Clark.

-- JL

Man, what a weekend for the Penn State football team.

First off, I would like to apologize for having to leave you readers so suddenly during the live blogging Saturday. The clock ran down before we could realize what had happened, and it was time to head down to the field. So instead of leaving it unfinished, let's take a few minuted to soak in this weekend's events.

What did we learn from Penn State's 13-6 win over Ohio State?

*The offense is human after all..
*The defense is still 'king of the hill' with this team
*Aaron Maybin is only a sophomore. ONLY a sophomore!
*It appears any thoughts of Pat Devlin transferring can be put down. He deserves a "pat" on the back for his performance Saturday. He played his role as a backup and played it nicely. Thanks, Pat.
*This team can and should finish the season 12-0.

Now, with that being said, all eyes are now on both Texas and Alabama, both of whom sit above the Nittany Lions in the latest BCS poll. Though Penn State was able to close the gap between themselves (.9257) and 'Bama (.9499), there's still very little chance PSU will jump the Tide should both of them finish with unblemished records.

Penn State is knocking at the door, and Clark apparently has a concussion, though that's a loose rumor.

On first and 10 Lawlor with the carry, and he is stopped at the one.

On 2nd and 10, Devlin keeps it and is stopped.

Play of the season coming up

And TD Penn State. 1 yd run by Devlin. Clark with no emotion with the score

And with that, we are heading down...

***

Ohio State takes over at its own 28. Pryor quiets down the crowd. Too bad he doesn't know the TV is still on commercials.

1st and 10, OSU 28

Wells takes the carry, and heads downfield for a gain of 5. Rubin on the tackle. We're gonna see more and more of Wells, I think.

Yup, lol. Wells on the carry on 2nd and 5, and the back gets three more yards.

3rd and 2

Pryor keeps the ball and scrambles for the first down. Scirrotto makes the tackle, but right now this team just looks deflated. Funny thing, they're only down 3 points.

1st and 10, OSU 41

Josh Hull cannot tackle, and Wells is taking advantage of it. An eight yard gain by Wells up the middle has the Bucks as 2nd and 2.

2nd and 2

Good thing Bowman can tackle, and Wells tries up the middle again, and is promptly stopped by the linebacker after a gain of 1.

3rd and 1

A huge fumble by Pryor and a huge hit by Mark Rubin to poke the ball out with his left hand. PSU recovers.

1st and 10, OSU 29

Penn State takes the ball, and Devlin is now in at QB. This is huge. He doesn't look hurt. Could this be a pull?

1st and 10, OSU 14

***

3rd and 10, OSU 35

Royster takes the pitch and heads to the left side, for 7 yards. Now the kicking unit will come out and try to tie the game up.

Kelly misses the kick, and the Lions are still down, 6-3. What crappy play calling by this offense on that last play. This team is playing to lose. Let's see what the D can do as OSU takes the field

OSU 6, PSU 3

***

1st and 10, PSU 20

Clark rolled out to the right to look for anything open, but had to resort to running the ball for a gain of six on the play. Clark did take a shot on the play, but appears to be fine as we go to second down.

2nd and 3

A shifty play call from the offense, which winds up with Green getting the carry. He races forward for the first down and a gain of five.

1st and 10, PSU 32

A missile fired at Butler over the middle, and an even nicer grab by the wide receiver for a gain of 7. His hit made the crowd wince,but not this blog poster, readers.

2nd and 3

Another PSU first down with a nice throw to Williams to the left sideline. Clark seems to be gaining composure, and that 12 yard strike will certainly help.

1st and 10, 50

Clark keeps the ball and runs for a largeee gain of 14 yards. OSU didn't have a safety back there, and that left Clark room to run.

1st and 10, OSU 35

A nice throw and catch to Williams. Sadly, he was just too out of bounds, according to NCAA. Who named them the boss, anyway?

BTW, its getting louder in the stadium

2nd and 10

Zug was wide open down field, and yet Clark throws the ball too high. And as we end the third quarter, its OSU 6, PSU 3. Stick around folks. It's gonna get gooood.

***

Derrick Williams takes the kickoff to the Penn State 20 for an 18 yard gain.

As Clark takes the field, everyone in the press box is beginning to wonder whether PSU can break this scoring "slump" at the 'Shoe, and keep its undefeated mark alive. Fortunately, there is still a lot of time left. Good news for Wible, I guess, who just downed another Brat. Good eats, my friend, good eats.

And it's good! Ohio State takes the lead, 6-3 with the kick. This is the time to see what the blue and white boys are made of on this next drive. Can Clark lead the offense down the field? Can they silence this crowd? When will Wible stop eating? The answers to, well, at least some of these questions in a few moments.

OSU 6, PSU 3

***

A huge gain for OSU on first and 10 as Pryor throws a 20 yard strike down the left sideline.

Now, as the Buckeyes have a 1st and 10 from the PSU 46, a dumpoff pass to Dane S is stopped by Rubin who makes a nice tackle.

Wells with the carry on 2nd and 10, and the junior picks up just three yards. This down is hugeeee

3rd and 7

Pryor makes a tremendous throw to Robiskie for 17 yards, and now the Lions are starting to break.

1st and 10

Wells on the carry, and gets 4 yards. Sales on the stop.

2nd and 6

Man they love this Wells guy. Wells takes it for two more yards, and now OSU faces a 3rd and 3. Me personally, I'm not so fond of the guy.

3rd and 3

A nice tackle by Odrick against Wells, and that will bring up 4th down for the Buckeyes. Here comes to field goal unit. Let's see if Ohio State can take the lead with this kick...

***

A very poor decision on the play calling there, as Clark keeps the ball up the middle. He gained just two yards, and now PSU has to punt. Tisk, tisk.

A decent punt from Boone, and a shaky fair catch by Ohio State. The Buckeyes were able to bring it in, however, and now will start their drive from their own nine.

Ohio State runs it with the first down play, as Pryor keeps it and heads to his left for nine yards.

A second and one, and the ball is going to the Buckeyes' Beanie Wells, who powers his way for the first down. Jared Odrick on the stop.

1st and 10, OSU 23

Again Wells gets the carry, and this time he runs for just two yards before being brought down by Josh Hull. This defense has had its bend, dont break mentality all game. Will it continue to work?

2nd and 8

Wells with another carry, and gained just three, despite a nice stiff arm on safety Mark Rubin.

Pryor takes it to the air on 3rd and 5, and completes the pass to Dane S. for the first down. Wallace and Rubin on the stop for the Lions.

***

Thanks, Wible. I'll be taking you guys through the second half, up until almost the end of the game when we have to head to the field. Penn State started out the drive on its 20, and back-to-back Royster runs have the Lions with a first and 10 at their 31.

2nd and 6

Stephfon Green with the carry up the middle, and according to the press box announcer dude, it's Steven. Hey, we're not here to judge.

1st and 10, PSU 47

Pitch the Williams, short side. Williams gains one yard but is plugged up soon after.

2nd and 9

Nice play call by the Lions, as Royster gets the ball up the middle. Though he stumbled, he still managed to get a couple, and now the Lions face 3rd and 7. Crunch time, baby.

(p.s., you're welcome, Shaq)

Facing a 3rd and 7, Penn State takes its first timeout of the half. The crowd here is still into the game, and embarassingly enough, they're all wearing red.

Now that we've got a break in the action, why don't we look at some of the food this press box has to offer...this is totally to make you readers jealous.

McFlurry machine
Popocorn
Hotdogs
Pulled Pork
BBQ
Vegetables
Chips
Pretzels
More Popcorn

mmm, it's been a good dinner here...back with the 3rd and 7 in a moment.

***

This opening drive of the half is crucial for the Lions, and I'm gonna throw the blogging duties over to Eller as the kickoff goes out of the back of the end zone.

Later yall.

***

We are two minutes to the kick and here are some quick halftime stats.

Terrelle Pryor - 9-of-14, 131 yards. 5 carries, 5 yards.
Daryll Clark - 8-of-14, 91 yards. 5 carries, 17 yards.

Rushing:
Evan Royster - 7 carries, 21 yards.
Chris Wells - 10 carries, 11 yards.

Receiving
Evan Royster - 2 catches, 13 yards
Graham Zug - 1 catch, 49 yards

Dane Sanzenbacher - 4 catches, 76 yards.

***

LeBron sighting, LeBron James is in the press box, and Travis called him, "the tallest human being I've ever seen."

Me, on the other hand, I covered Penn State basketball during the Greg Oden year, he is by far the largest human being I've ever seen.

The band just finished script Ohio, a drill where it spells Ohio in cursive and a select senior Sousaphone player "dots the i."

***

Aaron Pettrey nails the 31-yarder as time expires and we go to the half with the score nodded at 3. I need to use the lil boys room and we'll be back to offer some halftime analysis and stats.

***

After a 2-yard pass to Sanzenbacher, the sophomore can't get out of bounds and Jim Tressel is forced to use his final timeout of the half and sends his field goal unit on with 7 second until half for a 41-yard attempt into the closed end of the stadium.

***

And on that 2nd and 19, Pyror hit Robiskie on a jump ball for a gain of 33 to the OSU 32.

***

First and 10 at its own 49 and Pryor is sacked for the first time tonight. Maybin came from Pryor's right side and totally pwned him. Maybin's 11th sack of the year and the loss of nine yards puts OSU in a 2nd and 19 with :29 until the half.

***

OSU takes over first and 10 from its own 39, 1:25 to go first half.

***

Kevin Kelly knocks the 31-yard attempt through the crisp Columbus air and the Lions take a 3-0 lead.

Drive Summary: 11 plays, 76 yards., 5:47

PSU 3, OSU 0, 1:33 2nd quarter.

***

A screen to Royster nets five yards on third and nine. Penn State takes a timeout with 1:37 to play in the first half facing a fourth and four at the OSU 13.

***

Very next play, Clark fakes the handoff to Royster, rolls to his right and hit Graham Zug for a 49-yard gain inside the OSU 2.

***

Facing third and one at its own 31, Clark muscles his way past the marker for a first down by the length of one of Travis' beastly belt buckle.

***

Pryor can't find the third-down magic again and throws one into the turf on third and seven, prompting this text from my brother Scott.

"Pryor throws an ugly ball. Like a shot put."

In Pryor's defense, the kid was in high school less than six months ago, he's still raw.

***

Facing third and seven deep in its own territory, Pryor finds a wide-open Sanzenbacher for 52 yards. On the play, Tyrell Sales was in a zone and came toward the line as Pryor scrambled, which left Sanzenbacher wide open.

***

On third and six, the Buckeyes bring an all-out blitz, but Clark was able to get rid of the ball, but the pass fell to the turf.

Boone's lets loose a beautiful punt that rolls to the OSU three, where it's downed.

***

Buckeye punter A.J. Trapasso boomed a 59-yard punt and Williams returned it nine yard to the PSU 41.

***

Ding ding ding, our assumptions were right. It was pretty clear on the replay and the pass was ruled incomplete. OSU will putn to Derrick Williams and Anthony Scirrotto.

***

Maybin is being held on almost every pass rush, and the Buckeyes pick up another third and long as Pryor hits Robiskie.

Or does he? The play is being reviewed and it looked like it short-hoped Robiskie, this should be overturned.

***

The Lion defense has play solid thus far, the offense started off hot but when you face three or four third and longs on each drive, you're not going to pick them all up.

PSU's offense will need to get into more manageable third down situations and the defense just needs to keep doing what it's doing.

The one thing that will be interesting to see is if Joe Paterno suddenly gets into "field position" mode and starts playing to not turn the ball over and pin the Buckeyes deep. He has the offense to keep gunning, but has been known to play it safe. If he does, he's playing with fire.

***

Mark Rubin tackles Chris Wells for a gain of 1 as the first quarter comes to a close.

PSU 0, OSU 0, end of the 1st quarter.

***

Ray Small fileds the punt at the OSU 12 and is hit immediately. Boone's 43-yard punt puts the Lion defense in pretty gosh dang good field position.

***

The Lions can't keep getting into third and long situations. Clark's sacked by Thaddeus Gibson on third and 6 and PSU is forced to punt.

***

Third and 3 and Clark throws a fade to Butler that bounces off his helmet, but he was face guarded and drew a flag. The Lions pick up the first down on the pass interference.

***

On third and 6, Clark takes a designed run off right tackle, and is pretty much the closest thing to a Sherman tank that you'll find in a quarterback, and bowled through three Buckeyes to pick up the first down by a yard.

***

Facing third and long again, Maybin is held by two blockers, but it's not called. Pryor hit Dane Sanzenbacher (what nationality is that?) but the sophomore wide receiver was tackled short of the sticks.

Derrick Williams fielded the punt at the 11 and got out to the PSU 14, where the Lions will start 1st and 10.

***

On third and long, Pryor eludes an Aaron Maybin rush and finds Wells who scampers 13-yards for the first down.

***

Mad props to the OSU catering service. We got McFlurrys and McDonald's iced coffee, just what I need to stay alert after a long night of crocheting.

***

The PSU drive stalls at the OSU 49 and Jeremy Boone's punt goes into the end zone, net of 29. OSU will start first and 10 from its own 20.

Quick note, the referee called timeout to add four seconds to the game clock. What is it with PSU and clock issues?

***

After the punt was downed at the PSU 18, the offense picked up first downs on its first two plays, a 14-yard toss to Williams and a 13-yard pass to Brackett.

***

After allowing the Buckeyes to move the ball between the 35-yard lines, the Buckeyes stall as the Penn State defense forces a punt.

Pryor looks poised in the pocket and the PSU defense appeared a step slow at first, but got up to speed after the first couple plays.

***

The Lions defense comes out in its base 4-3, but Anthony Scirrotto is not on the field.

***

The Buckeyes won the toss and elected to receive. Kevin Kelly's about to tee the ball up.

Here we go for the Big Ten championship.

***

As expected, Joe Paterno is coaching from the press box this week.

***

Just got back from the field and it's pretty gosh darn loud. Don't know how it compares to warmups before a night game at Beaver Stadium (we're not allowed on the field pregame), but it was loud.

That said, most of the Lions' starters didn't appeared phased. Daryll Clark was humming the ball in warmups and the entire defensive line looked pretty amped up.

The wide receivers were cracking jokes and laughing.

On the Ohio State side, Terrelle Pryor's throws wobbled on his first couple of passes, but as warmups went on they got better.

***

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here we are folks, we're in the press box at Ohio Stadium and there's a lot of gray, and not much scarlet. But that's probably because they haven't let the fans in yet.

On the ride over there were a ton of Buckeye jerseys ranging from the obvious -- Terrelle Pryor, Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Wells -- to the old school -- Kirk Herbstreit, Eddie Geroge, Mike Vrabel and my personal favorite, Maurice Clarett. And no, the guy wearing the Clarett jersey did NOT have a bottle of vodka and an automatic weapon in his car.

There were a lot of house parties along the way that looked like a lot of fun, but alas we couldn't stop because we had to go to work, the boss said so.

And surprisingly, there wasn't much hostility toward Penn State fans. Just a lot of boos, I didn't see any full beer cans being thrown at Nittany Lion faithful.

The kickers and special teams players are on the field getting loose and we're going to head down and check out the sights and the lush artificial turf, check by with yall bad selves later.

-- Wible

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Howdy yall, we've made it to Columbus, and after a long night on the town, finally made it back to our hotel, more on that in a moment.

We left around 1 Friday afternoon, our scheduled departure time was 10:30, but 1 worked fine. It was a pretty uneventful drive, save for some good ole' PennDOT construction on I-80, so we sat and played I-spy and duck duck goose.

After a brief lunchstop in picturesque Clearfield, Pa., the trip took us through the bustling metropolis of Youngstown, Ohio, nice place, if you're into factories and soot (actually a lot like Columbus).

We tried to stop at Daryll Clark's house, but nobody was home. It started to rain but it wasn't too bad. Ohio drives on the other hand, pretty friggin awful.

There was a small stretch during which I think I invented at least 27 new swear words, each new one worse than the last, to describe the drivers with Buckeye flags on their license plates. They don't know how to merge, they don't know what the passing lane's for, but they do know a lot about cutting people off.

After we got to Columbus, some passengers in the car who shall remain nameless told me I was yelling so loud and forceful that they feared for their lives a little bit.

Anywho, we made it to Columbus and after picking up a 12-pack of Buckeye beer and a bag of Buckeye chips (we're in Ohio, we gotta do it) and a small cocktail hour, we headed for the mean streets of C-Bus.

Our first stop was at former Ohio State heisman trohpy winning running back Eddie George's bar/restaurant. For some reason they didn't have any pitchers, but they did have very nice women, including one who talked with Travis for a good 15-20 minutes.

The bathroom in the place was pretty boss, over the urinals there was a window that looked out over the bar, but from the bar side it was a mirror. Pretty cool, but at the same time pretty disturbing and vouyerific.

After a beer there, we decided it was too swanky for us, it was all art-deco and whatnot, so we started walking down High St., C-Bus's equivalent of College Ave.

We were told by some locals, who for some reason were a little disturbed by a group of five guys coming up to them and asking them where the place to be was, to head to the "Little Bar."

Well after walking a good 5 or 6 blocks, we asked someone again if we were close and they started laughing and said it was another 15 blocks or so away. So we forgot that and dove in this nifty little place called "the O." O is for Ohio State, get it? These Ohioans are so clever.

Well the O had a pretty neat set up. The actual bar itself was inside, but there was a patio that had removable walls and there was a giant fire pit in the middle. It was warm and there were a pretty good amount of people. There was a decent number of Penn State fans in town.

After a couple of beers and a quick gander at the banner advertising kegs and eggs starting at 5 a.m. the day of the Michigan game, we left the O in search of a cab.

But then we found an Insomnia Cookies, same place they have in State College. The boys wanted some cookies, so they went inside. Eller got kicked out for touching almost every single cookie in the joint right.

We flagged down a cab and told the cab driver, his name was John, that we were staying at the Crown Plaza North hotel.

So we get in the cab and John starts driving. We were a little rowdy, nothing vulgar or mean, we were just telling jokes.

Then we asked John about the weirdest passenger he's ever given a ride to and he said he once had a guy who said he saw a guy with a riffle sitting on the hood of the car. John guessed the guy was tripping on acid or something, but judging John, and the way the ride proceeded, I'm not sure if he was totally with it.

So anyway, we pull up to the hotel, but the ride felt like it lasted a lot longer than our ride into C-Bus. We get out, pay John 50 bucks for the ride and he takes off. We walked into the Crown Plaza Hotel and realized we were at the Crown Plaza Dublin Hotel, not North., which is, according to google maps, 7.7 miles from our hotel.

Luckily there was a folk festival in the Dublin hotel and they had some nice leather couches because we had to wait about 45 minutes for another cab, and the lady behind the desk wasn't too happy with her unhappy college visitors at 3 in the morning.

Finally another cab showed up, from a different cab company, and got us where we needed to go. The price for the second ride: 40 bucks. So we spent $90 on cab fair in roughly an hour.

He was real cool, forget his name but he was born in Boulder, Colo. We got back to the hotel and stayed up until about 5 or 5:30 singing koombya and working on homework.

Saturday morning was, in a word, rough.

I got up at 10:30 to play basketball with a group of the Penn State beat writers. We had five-on-five and we played at the Columbus YWCA. This game was better than the one in Madison, we're getting better.

After basketball, TJ, JL, Eller, Shorts and I went to Skyline Chili. Apparently the place is considered famous, so TJ and I ordered together, we each ordered a small bowl of chili and spaghetti, a chili cheese dog and an order of chili cheese fries. TJ didn't like his chili and spaghetti so I had two bowls of that, and my insides are making me pay for it.

And the Chili really wasn't that great but they piled on the cheese pretty high. Basically I'm going to need an angioplasty by my 25th birthday. Then we hopped in the pool/whirlpool for a quick dip and we're here at the stadium.

Linebacker Bani Gbadyu rolled his ankle during practice Tuesday, but practiced Wednesday and Thursday and is fine for Saturday's game at Ohio State, Joe Paterno said during his call-in radio show Thursday night.

Paterno also said senior safety Anthony Scirrotto practiced Thursday and is cleared to play.

"I think we're in pretty good shape," Paterno said about the team's health. "Probably as good as we've been in all year."

Senior safety Anthony Scirrotto has been cleared to play against Ohio State, coach Joe Paterno said during his call-in radio show Thursday night.

Scirrotto missed the second half of last weekend's Michigan game with a slight concussion, but said Tuesday he could play and was listed as day-to-day earlier in the week. But doctors cleared him to play and Paterno said Scirrotto should be in the starting lineup Saturday night.

Anthony Scirrotto "should be OK" to play Saturday against Ohio State, sports information director Jeff Nelson wrote in an e-mail.

Brandon Minor gave Scirrotto a concussion early in the game. Scirrotto spent the second half on the sidelines before being replaced by Drew Astorino.

Check back tomorrow for Paterno's comments on Scirrotto's status and any other news from the press conference.

-- JL

By now you've seen the BCS Rankings that were released yesterday.

But have you seen how Penn State stacks up against the rest of the BCS top ten in terms of major statistical categories?

Here are your top ten BCS teams:

1. Texas (7-0)
2. Alabama (7-0)
3. Penn State (8-0)
4. Oklahoma (6-1)
5. USC (5-1)
6. Oklahoma State (7-0)
7. Georgia (6-1)
8. Texas Tech (7-0)
9. Ohio State (7-1)
10. Florida (5-1)

TOTING THE ROCK

Now here is that same top ten reshuffled and ranked by rushing yards per game. (BCS ranking is italicized). Keep in mind, this list only includes the top ten BCS teams.

1. Oklahoma State (283.14) 6
2. Penn State (234.63) 3
3. Alabama (209.29) 2
4. USC (197.5) 5
5. Texas (193.43) 1
6. Florida (193) 10
7. Ohio State (182.13) 9
8. Georgia (169.43) 7
9. Oklahoma (164.14) 4
10. Texas Tech (138.57) 8

You have to run the football productively to win games. Only the Red Raiders fail to crack the top 50 nationally in rushing yards per game.

THE LONG BALL

Again, the BCS top ten reshuffled based on passing yards per game.

1. Texas Tech (418.4) 8
2. Oklahoma (380) 4
3. Texas (290.6) 1
4. USC (274) 5
5. Georgia (260.1) 7
6. Penn State (247.5) 3
7. Oklahoma State (218.3) 6
8. Florida (211.13) 10
9. Alabama (161.9) 2
10. Ohio State (140.1) 9

If you look at the yards these teams throw for per game, only the top six in this list from Texas Tech to Penn State rank in the top 50 nationally. The Red Raider offense makes up for its lack of a ground game with an all-out aerial assault. Tech leads the country in passing yards per game and averages 38.4 more yards than the second BCS school on this list.

Ohio State, the team with the lowest passing yards per game of the top ten BCS schools, is ranked 108th nationally.

RUN STUFFERS

Let's take a look at the BCS defenses. Here's the top ten rearranged by rushing yards allowed per game.

1. Texas (48.1) 1
2. Georgia (61) 7
3. Alabama (66.1) 3
4. USC (83.7) 5
5. Texas Tech (92.4) 8
6. Florida (96.3) 10
7. Ohio State (97.1) 9
8. Penn State (103.9) 3
9. Oklahoma (111.6) 4
10. Oklahoma State (116.7) 6

The top four teams here, from the Longhorns to the Trojans all rank in the top ten nationally against the run. All of the rest rank in the top 35 with the Cowboys being the 35th ranked team against the run in the country.

Texas, Georgia and 'Bama are two, three and four nationally.

How about them Horned Frogs from TCU? While not a BCS team, the Frogs only give up 21 yards per game. I would hate to be a running back and have to play them.

D-BACKS W/MAD SKILLS

How do the BCS teams defend the pass? Let's take a look.

1. USC (136.5) 5
2. Penn State (159. 38) 3
3. Ohio State (168.25) 9
4. Florida (178) 10
5. Oklahoma (204.14) 4
6. Georgia (208.71) 7
7. Alabama (209.86) 2
8. Oklahoma State (219.14) 6
9. Texas Tech (258.57) 8
10. Texas (275) 1

Hmm. You wanna beat Texas? Throw the ball! The Longhorns are ranked 111th out of 119 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools. Is this the best kept secret in college football?

SACK MASTERS

The most important position in all of sports is quarterback. The most important job on defense is to hit the quarterback. Here's how well the BCS teams do at getting to the QB and bringing him down.

1. Oklahoma (26) 4
2. Texas (24) 1
3. Penn State (23) 3
4. Texas Tech (18) 8
5. USC (15) 5
5. Florida (15) 10
7. Ohio State (14) 9
8. Georgia (13) 7
9. Alabama (12) 2
10. Oklahoma State (8) 6

Penn State's Aaron Maybin is tied for second in the nation with 10 sacks. Texas' Brian Orakpo has 7.5 and Texas Tech's Brandon Williams has 7.

HEROES ON FOURTH DOWN

You have to do it all to win it all and that includes playing well on special teams. Field position is crucial so here's a look at the BCS teams and their successes punting the football.

1. Oklahoma State (41.32) 6
2. Texas (39.78) 1
3. Ohio State (38.86) 9
4. Georgia (37.96) 7
5. Florida (36.43) 10
6. Penn State (36.04) 3
7. USC (35) 5
8. Alabama (33.07) 2
9. Oklahoma (32.87) 4
10. Texas Tech (31.46) 8

OK, maybe I got a little carried away with this one. The difference between the Cowboys and the Red Raiders is just 9.86 yards. Hey, though. That could be the difference between a made or a missed field goal.

Now let's reorder the top ten based on these previous six rankings. My scoring system was simple, the top team got one point, the second team got two, the third got three and so on. The lower a team's score, the better. Here's how it adds up:

1. Texas (7-0) 23 pts.
2. USC (5-1) 25 pts.
3. Penn State (8-0) 27 pts.
4. Georgia (6-1) 33 pts.
5. Florida (5-1) 34 pts.
6. Oklahoma (6-1) 35 pts.
7. Oklahoma State (7-0) 37 pts.
8. Ohio State (7-1) 37 pts.
9. Texas Tech (7-0) 39 pts.
10. Alabama (7-0) 39 pts.

I gave Oklahoma State the nod over the Buckeyes simply because of Ohio State's one loss. Tech earns the tiebreaker over 'Bama on a bonus stat. Crimson Tide ball carriers have fumbled six times this season. Tech runners have lost just four fumbles.

--Travis

aight, we're heading to the field, check yall later

***

Today's crowd is the fourth largest in Beaver Stadium history, 110,017.

***

With the scoring margin growing seemingly every second, AP voters around the country who didn't watch the game and only saw the final score might think about vaulting the Lions past Alabama after the Crimson Tide sneaked by Ole Miss by four.

But those same voters might have had a different impression had the watched the Lions in the first half.

***

And Travis makes a great observation, he said the students are ripping apart an inflatable palm tree.

***

Doesn't really matter, two plays later Clark once again shoves it in from the "one-foot" line and the Lions are firmly in control.

PSU 36 Michigan 17, 12:19 4th quarter

Drive Summary: 5 plays, 19 yards, 1:29

***

And after review, it's ruled that Norwood was down at the one-foot line, but I thought the lines are only every yard . . . Where's this one-foot line the ref is talking about, is it somewhere in Alice's wonderland?

***

On third down, Clark hits Norwood streaking across the middle, and he outruns the Michigan defense to the corner of the end zone, or so it appears, we'll see after the review.

***

But it might be too late, facing a 3rd and 5 at its own 26, Aaron Maybin came from Threet's blindslide, tomahawk chopped the ball out of his hands and Koroma recovered inside the red zone.

1st and 10 Penn State at the Michigan 19.

***

And Threet's back in the game.

***

With the 3rd quarter coming to a close, Penn State is sitting with a decision, 4th and 1 and the Lions elect to kick the field goal, and Kelly hits the 32-yarder to make it a 12-point game.

PSU 29 Michigan 17, 14:56 4th quarter

Drive Summary: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:08

***

Penn State's special teams strikes again, but this time it's not Derrick Williams. With Mesko rolling out to try avoid kicking to Williams, Lion reserve linebacker Nate Stupar, State College's own, broke through the line and blocked Mesko's kick. Penn State took over at the Michigan 35.

Quick second half stat, average starting field position:

Michigan -- Own 16
Penn State -- Own 49

***

The Penn State defense forces another three-and-out and this game is close to getting out of hand.

***

Sheridan's in again, so something must be wrong with Threet, especially considering he's now wearing a sleeve on his right arm, the same arm that was hurt against Toldeo. But he is throwing on the sideline, so he may see the field again.

***

After a 25-yard Clark to Butler hookup put the Lions at the Michigan 22, Royster broke off a 21-yard run down to the Wolverine one and Clark punched it in for the touchdown.

PSU 26 Michigan 17, 3:04 3rd quarter

Drive Summary: 4 plays, 50 yards, 1:35

***

On Michigan's free kick, Wolverine punter Zoltan Mesko kicked it out of bounds and Penn State takes over 1st and 10 at the 50-yard line. So the Lions have a two point lead and great field position, and there's just a feeling in the air that the momentum is shifting (as cliche as it sounds).

***

On 3rd and 18 from Michigan's own 5, Sheridan is sacked in the end zone for a safety. Odrick got the sack and Penn State takes the lead and will get the ball. Wonder if Rodriguez is regretting his decision now.

PSU 19 Michigan 17, 4:39 3rd quarter.

***

Nick Sheridan is now in at quarterback for Michigan. Not sure what Rodriguez is thinking here, maybe just trying to shake things up a little bit, but Sheridan has thrown 6 INTs to 1 TD on the year and is not as mobile as Threet. We'll see how the switch goes.

Threet's on the sideline wearing a baseball hat with the headphones on, but doesn't appear to be hurt.

***

Not only did that Penn State drive tie the game, it also gave the Lion offense some extra time to take a breath after getting gassed during the first half.

***

Penn State is moving the ball well, and a nice ball from Clark to Butler would have been a touchdown but when Butler hit the ground the ball came out. The Lions' drive stalls at the 25 and a Kevin Kelly 42-yard field goal ties the game at 17.

PSU 17 Michigan 17, 6:46 3rd quarter

Drive Summary: 14 plays, 61 yards, 4:17

***

Just as I speak, Maurice Evans gives Penn State its first sack and the Lions for a Michigan punt and take over 1st and 10 from their own 14.

***

After a Steven Threet fumble on the first play from scrimmage, which he recovered, Michigan is methodically moving the ball running at the gaps in the Penn State D. The Lions are sending blitzers from the outside, but Threet and Minor just split the seam and run between the tackle and the blitzer.

***

Howdy yall, it's Wible here to take you through the 3rd quarter. Just got word from Travis down by the Penn State tunnel that Lion safety Anthony Scirrotto suffered a mild concussion during the first half and is out for the rest of the game.

***

Clark to Norwood, Touchdown! 17-14 Michigan.

After 28 minutes of domination by Michigan, the Lions only trail by three, the Michigan defense is starting to look tired, and the fans are starting to get back into the game.

Sets up for what could be an epic second half in Happy Valley between two of college football's biggest programs.

***

2:01 to go, and after a personal foul on Michigan the Lions will start the drive near midfield. They are in desperate need of a score heading into halftime.

***

Inches short

***

After nearly getting sacked on a screen play Clark took a few seconds to get up, while clutching his shoulder.

However, on third and nine, Clark scrambles before finding Evan Royster near the first down marker. Waiting for a measurement.

***

Just talked to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the only writer in this press box with a vote in the AP poll, and all he said was Penn State's moving "way down."

-- Wible

***

On third-and-one, Clark drops the snap, his second fumble of the game. Kevin Kelly's 45-yard field goal try hits the right upright and bounces back into the field of play. Still 17-7, as the Lions get no points out of a drive that looked promising but was killed by another Nittany Lion mistake.

Still no sign of Scirrotto

***

The Penn State offense has been on the field for just 4:38, while UM has had the ball for 15:17. The Lions' defense looks tired, and this may expain why.

***

Anthony Scirrotto is on the sideline helmetless, while the rest of the defense is on the field. It is unclear why he isn't out there, but he is not getting looked at by trainers.

After a punt, Michigan has the ball and is spreading out the PSU defense, consistently using four wide receiver sets.

***

Touchdown Michigan on a Minor run up the middle. 17-7.

The ensuing kick sails out of bounds. Michigan has dominated the early stages of the game aside from a few special teams blunders, and Royster's run.

Eerily quiet at Beaver Stadium.

***

Led by Threet's legs, the Wolverines have marched the ball into the red zone. If Threet can handle the defense like this, the Lions may be in for a long afternoon today, and a long night when they face off against Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes in Columbus next Saturday.

***

Threet is picking apart the Lions secondary whenever he sees a blitz. He is 2 for 2 on the drive for 49 yards. The Lions aren't getting much of a pass rush, forcing the defensive backs into man-to-man coverage.

10-7, end of the first quarter. Time for the mascot's performance of "Thriller" in front of a stunned whited-out student section.

***

On the ensuing kick, Michael Mauti delivers one of the biggest hits of the season, forcing a fumble.

But despite having a clear path to the ball Brandon Beachum can't recover, and the Wolverines come out of the pile with the ball.

Michigan is now driving again, with the ball almost at midifeld.

So far, a good old-fashioned hard hitting Big Ten game.

***

The Lions capitalize two plays later, when Evan Royster breaks a tackle and runs 44 yards to paydirt.

Touchdown Penn State 10-7

***

Michigan is kicking away from Williams, but Chaz Powell takes the kick to midfield, giving the Lions a short field, down ten.

***

10-0 Michigan after a 27-yard field goal sailed through the uprights. Before the field goal the Lions were called for having 12 men on the field, but the penalty ended up being inches short of a first down, so Rich Rodriguez decided to kick. The Lions seem taken aback by Michigan's no-huddle.

D-Wil back to return the kick...

***

Brandon Minor, takes a handoff 26 yards into PSU territory.

The fans seem stunned. Even the student section has had it's decibel level cut in half from what it was at the beginning of the game.

Michigan is running a no-huddle, giving the PSU defense, and the White-out student section little time to prepare.

***

After a couple decent runs from Royster and Clark, respectively, Clark is hit hard and coughs up the ball. It's very close, but looks like it was out before he hit the ground.

***

Touchdown Michigan, 7-0 Wolverines.

Minor took Threet's handoff and dashed six yards for the score.

The Wolverines marched down the field very methodically, going 86 yards in 14 plays. The drive featured several plays run from the spread option, which has given the Lions trouble this season.

Illinois used the spread option successfully against Penn State at some points and Ohio State will most likely run a similar offense.

***

The Wolverines decide to go for it on fourth and one. Two Lions linebackers had Michigan RB Branon Minor in the backfield but he escaped them and lunged forward for the first down by the length of a football.

***

Michigan TE Kevin Koger catches a Steven Threet pass at the 36-yard line. The play was reviewed even though it seemed clear that he caught the ball. The review lasted only a few seconds before the referee confirmed the call on the field.

Michigan is driving and is on the edge of field goal range

***

First play, Clark fumbles and the entire stadium lets out a loud groan. After a completion to Butler, Clark overthrows an open Mickey Shuler. The Lions are forced to punt, but Greg Matthews can't handle the kick and fumbles out of bounds. Looks like each team is experiencing some early jitters.

***

Hey folks, it's AJ Cassavell, blogging for the first half.

It's about five minutes from kickoff, and the S-zone is starting to take shape with pink and black shirts instead of the usual blue and white. The student section is just about full, and is in its usual "best in the nation" form for any game of this magnitude.

In other Big Ten news, Ohio State is beating Michigan State 21-0. If the Lions can get past the Wolverines next week's game could likely decide the Big Ten, and maybe a national title spot.

***

Paterno's down on the field walking without a cane. He's still ginger, but moving much better than he has in recent weeks. A line of photographers waited for him, and Paterno shooed them away, much like he did when he was coming off the bus.

He shooed them away once and nobody moved; then he put up his arms and scolded them once again. That time they moved.

***

Michigan might be 2-4, but they've got great team morale builders. The Wolverines lined up in a semicircle and went around slapping each other's hands. Frankly, it looked like something I'd expect to see a high school girls basketball team do, not the winningest college football program in NCAA history.

The team headed into the locker room. Penn State still out warming up.

-- JL

***

Joe Paterno used his cane to get off the team bus, took about five steps and then ditched it. Paterno was walking better, but it remains to be seen where he'll coach from. Apparently, he told a fan during a Paternoville visit yesterday he would be on the sidelines, so we'll see if that's the case.

The team pulled up a few minutes after 3 p.m., and the entrance was packed with Penn State fans. Some spots were six or seven people deep. It was a pretty raucous crowd, and recruits Gerald Hodge and Kevin Newsome seemed pretty impressed. Newsome couldn't stop smiling.

-- JL

***

Good afternoon. This is Travis coming to you live from the press box inside Beaver Stadium where the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions are set to take on the Michigan Wolverines.

We're still more than an hour away from kickoff, but that's just enough time to preview today's matchup.

Penn State has started to garner national attention and for good reason. The Lions are blowing opponents out of the water. So far this season, the Lions have won every game by 14 points or more. Yikes.

Michigan is headed in the other direction. The Wolverines are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Toledo Rockets last weekend. Overall, under new head coach Rich Rodriguez, Michigan is 2-4.

There were questions earlier this week whether or not Wolverine quarterback Steven Threet would play today due to a bruise on his throwing elbow. It looks like Threet will get the start today, however. The QB is currently warming up and looks like he's throwing the ball without any discomfort.

As for Penn State's injuries, sophomore wideout Brett Brackett will play today despite suffering a concussion last week against Wisconsin. Joe Paterno confirmed on his weekly radio show Thursday night that Brackett would play.

As for the fans, the student section is filling up quickly and fans have started to file in for today's game. I just took a look through my binoculars and the S Zone shirts are pink and black -- Penn State's original colors -- neat. It should look sweet against the White Out.

Maybe Michigan senior cornerback Morgan Trent will appreciate the pink shirts?

I spoke with Trent this summer while in Chicago and he had a lot of good things to say about playing in Beaver Stadium.

"It's a great atmosphere," Trent said. "I love playing there. Who wouldn't want to play there with all those fans and they're extremely loud, they're great."

Trent also had some words about Penn State senior wideout, Derrick Williams.

"He's a good player," Trent said of Williams. "This will be my fourth year playing him. We've had our experiences together. He's a good receiver, a quick receiver. We definitely gameplan for the top receivers on any team. So we're going to look at the playmakers from every team and go from there."

The big question today. Will the Wolverines kick to Williams?

So far this season, Williams has burned teams with his kick and punt return abilities.

Williams has returned one punt and two kicks for touchdowns this season. Williams is averaging just over 11 yards per punt return but is gaining a scary average of 33.4 yards on kick returns.

The wideout was asked earlier this week, would he kick to himself?

"Not at all," Williams said. "Everybody knows that at any given time we can just break one. So, it's just not me. The whole punt return and kick return teams work together. Everyone is just so excited."

The teams are both on the field now doing the usual -- warming up as individual units. We'll check back with you before kickoff. If any news breaks, you'll read it hear first.

--TJ

Late Thursday night, one of two remaining unbeaten non-BCS schools, BYU got pounded by TCU, 32-7.

The Cougars had been ranked No. 8 in the AP poll, and had they finished the season undefeated, may have grabbed one of the four at-large BCS berths, but with a loss, especially one of the blowout variety, BYU is no longer a viable at-large option.

The only non-BCS school still sporting a perfect record is Utah, which plays BYU during the last weekend of the season. If the Utes can get through the remainder of the season unscathed, they very well may take one of the bids from a BCS school, but if Utah loses somewhere along the line, it too will be relegated to a .com or convention center bowl.

This is important for Penn State because if the Lions do lose sometime during the season and don't win the Big Ten (i.e. loss at Ohio State or against Michigan State), they'd have to hope for one of four at-large invites. Without BYU, the odds of receiving an at-large bid have already gone up.

-- Wible

We've reached the halfway point of the season and some Nittany Lions have garnered some recognition from collegefootballnews.com

Three Penn Staters were named to CFN's Midseason All-American first team.

C - A.Q. Shipley
KR - Derrick Williams
DE - Aaron Maybin

Also, CFN columnist Pete Fiutak named Maybin his national defensive player of the year, while CFN's Richard Cirminello named Penn State his biggest surprise thus far.

Finally, Fiutak added Daryll Clark to his Heisman list, but said Clark is, "on the radar, but the world is looking for more."

Obviously, there's still five regular season games to go, but this adds a little perspective to just how well the Lions are playing compared to the national scene.

-- Wible

According to espn.com, Michigan running back Mike Milano was suspended from the team before practice Wednesday for an undisclosed reason.

The 5-foot-7, 187 lbs., Milano, who has not seen game action this season, is, according to espn.com, being investigated for an alleged assault on a Michigan hockey player during the weekend.

The university's department of public safety is investigating an alleged aggravated assault on Michigan hockey player Steve Kampfer that took place at approximately 2:25 a.m. Sunday in Ann Arbor. The incident report states that the victim was taken to University Hospital.

Police identified the alleged attacker as a 22-year-old male from Ohio. Milano, 22, hails from Rocky River, Ohio. A 5-foot-7, 193-pound walk-on running back who spent two years on Michigan's wrestling team, Milano appeared in two games last season but has yet to play this year.

The 5-foot-11, 197 lbs., Kampfer was a fourth-round draft pick of the Anaheim mighty ducks.

***

In other news from Wolverine practice, quarterback Steve Threet is still questionable for this weekend's game.

The scene at Paternoville is relatively quiet tonight as people take advantage of the warm weather by sitting outside chatting, doing homework and throwing around footballs and Frisbees.

While the scene may be quiet, people are getting excited for the rest of the week and the upcoming Penn State - Michigan game.

"I'm so freakin' pumped. I'm really excited. This game is going to be amazing, I'm calling it now," Kristina Borneby (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said.

Borneby was sitting in front of a giant puzzle of Wrigley Field as she did homework on her laptop.

"The whole compound works on it. For the weeklongs we get a 1,000 piece puzzle and it usually gets done by Saturday morning," she said.

For a lot of people in attendance this is their first Paternoville.

"I figured I had to experience Paternoville before I graduate," Zack Kosslow (junior-mechanical and nuclear engineering) said.

"Obviously, it's Michigan, it's the biggest game. It just seems the most hyped of the home games," he added.

For Brad Lieberman (junior-crime, law, and justice) the atmosphere of his first Paternoville is exciting.

"I look around, I kinda realize it's something cool to be a part of ... I want to be able to come back with kids and say 'yeah, I did that' ... I'm pumped. It was kinda chill but it's really cool. You hear Penn State cheers at 3 a.m. and it's great," he said.

- Caitlin

At least one Ohio State Buckeye isn't completely sold on freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor being the lone signal caller.

Tight end Jake Ballard said Todd Boeckman, Ohio State's opening day starter, can still contribute and should share the job with Pryor.

"The senior leadership that Todd brings to the table and just how he commands the huddle would definitely help us out," Ballard told the International Herald Tribune. "And he could make some big throws for us. ... I don't think a two-quarterback system would be a bad idea."

Boeckman hasn't played in either of the Buckeyes' past two games, both wins, including a come-from-behind victory at Wisconsin two weeks ago in which Pryor led the game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter and ran for the 11-yard go-ahead touchdown with just more than a minute to play in the game.

Ballard praised Pryor's athletic ability, but said the true freshman often times tries to make too many big plays, and needs to settle for positive yardage.

"He can make big plays with his feet but he has to realize it's not high school, he can't make big plays every single time for 20 yards or more," Ballard said. "He's not always going to get big plays."

-- Wible

Kansas City Chiefs, and former Penn State, running back Larry Johnson has been charged with simple assault. Police said he allegedly pushed a woman at a Kansas City night club in February, according to the Associated Press.

Johnson, 28, was charged last month for a Feb. 24 incident at the Grand Emporium Saloon. A 26-year-old woman accused Johnson of pushing the side of her head with an open hand, telling her "don't touch me" as he made his way through the club.

Johnson is due to appear in Kansas City Municipal Court on Dec. 3 and faces a maximum jail term of six months and a $500 fine.

Johnson had felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor domestic battery charges dropped in 2003.

-- Wible

The Philadelphia Eagles released former Penn State running back Tony Hunt Tuesday. He was released to make room for linebacker Tracy White, who the Eagles signed after Green Bay released him.

Hunt, who rushed for 3,320 yards and 25 touchdowns during his Penn State career, was drafted as a running back in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft.

After carrying the ball 10 times for 16 yards and a touchdown as a rookie, the Eagles moved him to fullback. But the Eagle coaching staff did not feel the position move was working, so the coaches moved defensive tackle Dan Klecko to fullback and Hunt became the fourth-string tailback and didn't see playing time.

-- Wible

Ohio State starting defensive end Lawrence Wilson will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL against Purdue last Saturday.

This is the second season-ending injury in as many years for Wilson, he broke his leg last season.

Wilson had started all seven games for the Buckeyes, racking up 18 tackles, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery.

-- Wible

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden, and son of Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, stepped down Monday saying he did all he could do for Clemson football. The Tigers were a top 10 team in the preseason, but have struggled.

Clemson is 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in the ACC, and Bowden most recently benched quarterback Cullen Harper, the ACC preseason player of the year. Assistant head coach and receivers coach Dabo Swinney will take over the squad.

When Harper learned of Bowden's resignation he said Bowden, "got what he deserved."

"It's what he deserved," Harper said. "Dabo Swinney is a fine man and will do an excellent job.

Later Monday, Harper expanded on his comments, explaining that Bowden "tried to motivate us, but guys were off the bandwagon. There were things I disagreed with and that my teammates disagreed with. I didn't appreciate it when he would say some off-the-wall things about me to the media. I guess one thing I can say is he gave me an opportunity to come to Clemson and play.

I'd call it karma. I thought it needed to be done. I think anytime a head coach or someone in a leadership position starts to place blame on his coaches and players, it weakens their respect on the team. His past experiences have shown he's done that."

-- Wible

After 78 hours on the road, we're back in cozy State College. We departed Madison around 11:30 a.m. Sunday and rolled down College Ave. at 1:08 a.m. Monday, pretty friggin long trip.

If you haven't noticed, the Lions moved up to No. 3 in the latest Associated Press poll, behind Texas and Alabama. Penn State's also third in the coaches' poll, but the Lions did receive three first-place votes from the coaches.

Also, Vegas, like the Lions, has already moved past the Wisconsin demolition and is looking toward the Michigan game. The opening line has Penn State favored by 24, yea, you read that right, twenty friggin four. Thank the lord I didn't take that bet with my buddy ten years ago that Penn State would never be favored over Michigan by more than 10.

We did learn some things this weekend, among them:

1) The Lions are pretty dang good

2) The Big Ten is not

3) Ohio State is overrated. The Buckeyes needed a late drive to top Wisconsin, while Penn State just manhandled the Badgers.

4) If the Lions continue to play as well as they did Saturday, it's tough to think they'll face a real test before bowl season. But a game to look out for, Nov. 8 at Iowa. A week after going to Ohio State, it would be natural to overlook the Hawkeyes, who have a solid defense and decent running game.

5) Tom Bradley has his defense playing well. It wasn't really fair for Wisconsin quarterback Allen Evridge. Sure, he went 2-for-10, but the guy never had time before being yanked to a stadium full of boos.

6) This team's largest weakness is it puts the ball on the ground. The Lions fumbled twice against Wisconsin, but recovered both. That's 16 fumbles in seven games, they can't all bounce into Penn State's hands.

7) A group of nine football writers trying to play basketball outside a Madison hotel might be one of the most hilarious/disturbing/expletive-laced experiences on this planet.

8) Deep fried cheese curds = amazing bar food.

9) A Wisconsin Beer Bomb is pretty much as it sounds (a pint of PBR with a pickled egg at the bottom)

10) Madison is a pretty cool place. A lot like State College, but a lot more laid back and the people, believe it or not, are friendlier.

Well, I just drove 3 hours from Baltimore after being on the road since Thursday, I haven't slept much and I'm tired. So I'm gonna go crawl into bed and dream of cheese, brats and State Street in downtown Madison.

-- Wible

Oops, scratch that, the interception was overruled and called and incompletion. Wisconsin regains possession with of the ball, 3rd and 6 at the 28.

***

Sherer just helped any remaining students make the decision whether to stay or head to State Street right now. He hit Mark Rubin square in the chest at the PSU 15. Remember, Rubin is a former wide receiver, so maybe Sherer just thought it was four years ago.

***

Clark's first mistake of the game, he threw a pick to Wisconsin's Culme St. Jean at the WIsconsin 5. That'll hurt his QB rating, but luckily for the boys in Vegas won't affect the over/under, because it's already been eclipsed (the over/under was 47).

***

End of the third quarter, which means it's time to jump around in the student section. And no surprise, right after the song finished, the student section began to filter out, it now looks like red swiss cheese.

***

Lydell Sargeant doesn't care who's playing quarterback, he's an equal opportunity interceptor. He picked off Sherer at the PSU one, and returned it 55 yards. A nice Aaron Maybin block decleated a Wisconsin lineman.

***

Sherer completed his first two passes and the Wisconsin offense is finally moving again. Maybe Sherer is telling some good jokes to loosen the guys up in the huddle or something, but whatever he's doing it's working.

***

Now the crowd's loudest cheer since Penn State took the lead, Dustin Sherer is now in at quarterback for Wisconsin, replacing Evridge.

Evridge's stats - 2-for-10, 50 yards, 1 INT, 1 Fumble, 7 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD

***

A Kevin Kelly field goal puts the Lions over the 40-point mark for the fifth time this season.

Drive Summary -- 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:25

PSU 41, Wisky 7, 3:15 3rd quarter

***

Two plays later, Evridge was forced to run for his life and fired a pass downfield, right into the hands of Lydell Sargeant. And the reaction from the Wisconsin fans reminded me a lot of an April afternoon a couple years ago.

***

You remember when you were little and throwing football, your big brother would always just bat the ball back in your face? Well that's what Wisconsin's offense looks like with Evridge at quarterback. The Lions just batted down one of his passes for at least the third time today, to a couple boos.

***

Next play, Deon Butler streaked down the left sideline, was held by his defender, who eventually fell to the turf, and was wide open (sensing a theme here?) for a Daryll Clark 44-yard touchdown pass.

The Lions are making this look too easy.

Drive Summary -- 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:48

PSU 38 Wisky 7, 7:22 3rd quarter

***

Again looking at third and long against a Wisconsin rush, Clark again avoided pressure, moved to his left this time, and literally flicked the ball out of the wrist to a wide-open James McDonald for a 25-yard pickup and a first down.

***

Facing a third and 21 from his own eight, facing a six-Badger rush, Clark calmly moved out of the pocket to his right and flicked the ball to Jordan Norwood for a first down.

The very next play he had Butler wide-open for what would have been a 71-yard touchdown strike, but just led his receiver a little too much.

Clark has had a couple deep balls just miss today. The Lions could be in the 40s had he connected on some of those throws.

***

Talking with other reporters during halftime, we came to a couple of conclusions this game has shown us.

1) Penn State is a pretty darn good team capable of beating opponents almost any way imaginable.

2) The Big Ten is pretty atrocious and deserves to be the whipping boy nationally.

3) Ohio State is not that good. The Buckeyes came into Camp Randall and needed a late touchdown drive to win it, while the Lions are dominating the Badgers all around the ball.

One reporter, who's been on the beat for 18 years, said this is the best collection of Lion lines on both sides of the ball he's seen since he started covering Penn State football. The 1994 offensive line was good, but the defensive line struggled. Ever since Larry Johnson Sr., became defensive line coach, the d-lines have been solid, but the o-lines have been inconsistent. This year, the Lions are pretty well-rounded in the trenches.

***

Penn State took the opening kick and went on a 76-yard scoring drive. Clark went 4-for-4 for 54 yards on the drive, and capped it off with a 4-yard scoring run. He juked a defender and carried two with him as he lunged over the goal line.

This was an impressive drive that showed just how good this Penn State offense can be. Clark went to work picking apart the Wisconsin secondary, which couldn't cover Penn State's wideouts.

The Nittany Lion is doing 31 pushups on the "B" in "Baders" in the endzone while the rest of Camp Randall watches on in stunned silence. At least they've got fried cheese curds to drown away their sorrows tonight.

Drive Summary -- 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:33

PSU 31 Wisky 7, 12:27 3rd quarter.

***

Quick halftime prediction, if Penn State scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, this game is over. I know, I'm going really far out on a limb on that one.

***

The band is on the field playing songs from the movie Jesus Christ Superstar. The crowd is finally cheering once again, but the Badgers are going to need a miracle of biblical proportions of they want to make this a game in the second half.

As Wisconsin runs onto the field, the crowd is extremely subdued.

***

It's halftime and the boo birds are flocking in Camp Randall, and I'm pretty sure they're not directed at Penn State. For a team that started the season ranked in the top 15, Wisconsin looks putrid. The offense is stale and can't really do anything against the Lion defense.

The Badger defense did keep Wisconsin in the game for the first couple drives, but has faded since.

The state sheet tells the tale of a close game, but Penn State has converted its opportunities and not turned the ball over, Paterno ball if alive and well.

Halftime Stats
PSU UW
First Downs 7 6
Rushes-Yards 18-73 26-106
Passing Yards 50 50
Att.-Comp-Int. 10-5-0 8-2-0
Fumbles-lost 2-0 1-1
TOP 13:34 16:26
Penalties-yds. 0-0 4-32
Punt Ret. Yds. 61 2

***

The only word I can use to describe the look on Wisconsin fans' faces is hopeless.

***

After a stalled Penn State drive, Wisconsin started first and 10 from its own eight. On the first play, Maybin stripped Evridge of the ball and Josh Hull recovered the fumble on the Badger 16. After a pass interference, the Lions got the ball first and goal at the one and Clark got right up under A.Q. Shipley and rode him into the endzone for the score.

The momentum has swung back into the Lions' favor. And Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema has got to be considering a change under center. Evridge is making Anthony Morelli look like Brett Favre. He's struggling, big time.

Drive Summary -- 1 play, 16 yards, 0:08

PSU 24, Wisky 7, 1:24 2nd quarter

***

Now I know what it was like to be Moses. No, two stone tablets didn't just descend from the sky telling me how to live my life. But I am staring at a red sea. It's pretty crazy how it's not even coordinated, but almost every Wisconsin fan is wearing red. I guess there really is only one option for a Badger fan.

But what I have not seen yet is a cheese head. Aren't we in the land of cheese? Speaking of cheese, Travis and I had some deep fried cheese curds before the game. Lemme tellya, this Wisconsinites know how to eat. Cheese is pretty awesome in itself, so what could be done to make it better? Bread is and drop it in a vat of grease, heckyea brother.

Sure, I'm gonna have a coronary before stepping on the plane, but if it's the price I gotta pay to eat fried cheese, I'll take it. Also, they put pickled eggs in beer here and call it a "Wisconsin Beer Bomb." Between the cheese and the eggs, I feel bad for Travis and Josh having to sleep in the same hotel room with me tonight.

***

Welp, I'm a moron. Right after I said this game was awfully close from turning into a blowout, the Badger offense put together by far its best drive of the day, fueled by a 42-yard Evridge pass to Travis Beckum.

On third and goal from the four, Evridge dropped back, didn't have anybody open, rolled to his left and took off for the endzone. He dove for the pylon and scored just before Anthony Scirrotto could get to him.

The Badgers showed some pride on that drive and have made this a ball game again. Here we go.

Drive Summary -- 10 plays, 85 yards, 5:50

PSU 17 Wisky 7, 4:21 2nd quarter

***

On the return, Penn State's Brent Carter went down with an injury. He's on the sidelines with his leg up and wrapped in ice.

***

Poof, Williams fielded the punt at his own 37, took a couple stutter steps to his right and found the open field. Only the punter stood between him and paydirt and ain't no punter gonna stop Derrick Williams.

His third return for touchdown of the season, and fifth of his career, a school record.

This game could get ugly real real quick. The students are pretty quiet.

PSU 17 Wisky 0, 10:11 2nd quarter.

***

The Penn State defense forces another three-and-out, which is huge because it means Wisconsin has to punt to Derrick Williams.

***

It took 'em three plays, but the Lions cash in inside the red zone for the 26th redzone touchdown of the year on 34 trips inside the 20-yard-line. On third and goal from the two, Clark ran the option to his right and was drilled immediately by Wisconsin linebacker DeAndre Levy. But Clark pitched the ball just in time and Evan Royster walked into the corner of the endzone behind a Dan Lawlor block.

Clark was shaken up on the play, but jogged off the field, maybe just a couple bells ringing in his ears.

Drive Summary -- 9 plays, 51 yards, 4:41

PSU 10 Wisky 0, 10:42 2nd quarter

***

On third and five from the WIsconsin 12, Derrick Williams is asking for more noise from the crowd, and he got it, well, until Daryll Clark ran a delayed draw up the middle for nine yards and a first and goal at the 3.

***

Gotta give the Wisconsin cheerleaders props, their white uniforms are snazzy. And Bucky the Badger might be the coolest/most disturbing-looking mascot I've ever seen. And for some reason he's wearing a red-and-white-stripped shirt. But since when do badgers wear shirts?

***

Although the offense is playing like the kickoff isn't until 8 p.m. central time (it started at 7 here, remember, we're living the past, you're looking into a time machine,), Wisconsin's defense is playing solid. It looks like a top-25 defense, but the offense is just abysmal, pretty tough to watch.

But because Wisconsin's defense is playing well, this has the feel of a close game throughout.

***

We finally get our first taste of the Wisconsin student section, even more disturbing in person, here's what it kind of looks/sounds like (warning, very explicit).

***

With Wisconsin facing a third and three, the Penn State defense brought pressure up the middle and Ollie Ogbu met Evridge almost at the same time as the ball. Ogbu's sacked ended the Wisconsin drive and Penn State takes over first and 10 from its own 44.

***

Penn State moved the ball 19 yards on the drive, including a 3-yard pass to Graham to Zug on third and four, woo hoo for math.

But Kevin Kelly bailed the offense out by nailing a 50-yard field goal that was a no-doubter. He probably could've made it from 55+.

Drive Summary - 6 plays, 19 yards, 3:08

PSU 3 Wisky 0, 5:28 first quarter

***

John Clay is now in at running back for the Badgers. The 6-foot-2, 237-lbs. freshman was one of the top recruits in the country two years ago and sat out last season with a redshirt.

After picking up their first first down, the Badgers faced third and 8, and right before the play, Travis predicted Aaron Maybin was going to apply some pressure, and Traivs apparently is a soothsayer as Maybin came from Evridge's blindside, flushed him out of the pocket and tackles him for a one-yard loss. After listening to his prediciton, I'm having Travis pick my lottery numbers tonight.

A shanked 15-yard punt by Wisconsin's Brad Nortman has the Lion offense in great field position.

Quick pressbox note, the announcer in the press box is pretty loud and it's already annoying, we'll see if I still have ear drums by the third quarter.

***

On Penn State's first offensive possession, Daryll Clark hit Brett Brackett on the first play from scrimmage for a 20-yard gain. Brackett ran a seam route and Clark threaded the needle.

But then two plays later, on second and five, Clark hit Derrick Williams at the Wisconsin five, but Williams couldn't hang on. The Lions fumbled the third-down snap and Jeremy Boone's punt went into the endzone. Wisconsin to take over, first and 10 on its own 20.

The stadium has finally filled and the students are out in full force. I guess a couple of pong games went into overtime. The stadium's full, the crowd's rocking and I see nothing but red.

***

Wible here with your first quarter updates.

Wisconsin started first and 10 from its own 15, on third and one, Penn State went to a 4-4-3 defense, meaning four linemen, four linebackers and three backs. The formation worked as Navorro Bowman came untouched off the left edge and dropped Badger back P.J. Hill for a loss.

Derrick Williams fumbled the ensuing punt, but fell on the ball to retain possession.

***

Penn State has won the toss and deferred to the second half. Wisconsin will start with the ball.

The weather here at Camp Randall is excellent:

74 degrees, winds from the south at 8 mph under clear skies.

***

Travis here with an update on Joe Paterno.

Before Wible and I got in the elevator, we heard one of the elevator operators say to one of his coworkers "be ready" for when Paterno needs to head upstairs. We'll take that as evidence that Paterno will be coaching tonight's game from the booth.

We have not seen Paterno yet on the field. Penn State is warming up as individual units -- defensive backs, offensive line, defensive line.

Wideout Jordan Norwood was listed as probable on the team's midweek injury report. The senior is running routes and seems to be ready to play tonight. We'll let you know if Norwood is not playing

Tight end Mickey Shuler was also listed as probable and was running routes as well. It looks like Shuler will play, despite a lingering ankle injury that he re-injured last week against Purdue.

In addition to Shuler, tight end Andrew Quarless, who also bumped up his ankle last week, was also running routes with the team. It looks like Quarless could play as well. Quarless was not listed on the team's midweek injury report.

Wisconsin's band is on the field, making its return after a suspension for hazing. The band is playing now. It's too bad no one's here to see them. If you asked me, I'd say the stadium is only 45 percent full.

We won't be blogging play-by-play, but we will provide analysis between quarters and if any breaking news occurs, this is where you'll read it first. We guarantee it.

--TJ

***

Late-arriving crowd here at Camp Randall. The student section is definitely noticeable -- red seatbacks are common except for a corner of the end zone where one can't be seen. It's 35 minutes from kickoff, and aside from the student section, the rest looks like it's filled to about 10 percent of capacity.

I rode in the elevator of the parking garage with Barry Alvarez. Alvarez, Wisconsin's retired coach and current AD, got off in a golf cart to cheers from a crowd lingering outside the stadium.

The weekly Paterno update: He was using a cane to get around in the hotel, then used one at Camp Randall Stadium. Still no word on where Paterno will coach, and there's two schools of thought: One is, for image reasons of the game being on national TV, Paterno will want to be seen on the sidelines. The second is Paterno's right leg will be further agitated by the astroturf surface. Stay tuned.

-- JL
***

Hey everyone. We're live from the press box at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc. We're about 45 minutes from kickoff, so let's get caught up on some other college football action.

I had a feeling Oklahoma would lose.

Checking up on some Big Ten games now.

TOLEDO 13, MICHIGAN 10

Someone better by poor Rich Rodriguez a quarterback for Christmas. Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan just aren't cutting it in Ann Arbor. Michigan lost to Toledo 13-10 and both QBs combined to throw three INTs. Sheridan threw two of those picks in the fourth quarter.

MINNESOTA 27, ILLINOIS 20

Juice Williams did just about all he could do, throwing for 462 yards and completing 63 percent of his passes. Williams did throw a pick and fumbled deep in his own zone, but the Illini did not look good as a team in this one. In particular, the offensive line is going to need to show up if the Illini want to win any games for the rest of the season. Eighty-eight rushing yards on 33 carries just won't cut it.

IOWA 45, INDIANA 9

Not much to say here, but ouch.

OHIO STATE 16, PURDUE 3

Curtis Painter averaged just 4.5 yards per pass in this one. Terrelle Pryor looked better, and he only attempted 14 passes. Maybe Tiller will start Joey Elliott next week?

MICHIGAN STATE 37, NORTHWESTERN 20

If the Heisman Trophy is truly awarded to college football's best player, they should just send that over to Javon Ringer. The Spartan tailback carried the ball 35 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. What a work horse.

The only game left is the one we're at.

Wible, Langenbacher and I are in the press box at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc waiting on kickoff between No. 6 Penn State and Wisconsin.

The atmosphere here is pretty nuts. The majority of Wisconsin fans I talked to last night share the opinion that their Badgers are on the ropes. The Badger Herald football writers seem to think senior QB Alan Evridge is on the hot seat.

Evridge has thrown two critical late-game interceptions in the Badgers' last two losses to Michigan and Ohio State.

The key to this game will be how quickly Wisconsin can establish their ground & pound game with P.J. Hill, but Evridge's play will be crucial for Wisconsin's success. You can't win with a one-dimensional offense in any type of football.

Earlier this summer, I sat down with senior Wisconsin guard Andy Kemp. Surprise, surprise, he likes to run block better than pass block:

"Run blocking is definitely a way better thing than pass blocking. It's kind of a whole group effort when you do run blocking."

"With pass blocking it's a lot of one-on-ones. The d-lineman makes one move and you get beat then it could be a bad thing for the quarterback."

"We always love running the ball. We want to get back to the old Wisconsin running the ball-type football. We've definitely gotten away with that the last few years."

They sure have. This season, Wisconsin has passed the ball just 125 times this season.

--TJ

Good morning from Madison.

It's ten 'til 1 here, and I just woke up. To tell you the truth, I'm pretty surprised by the score of the Minnesota/Illinois game.

Juice and the Illini are getting stomped, 14-3 by the Gophers at home. I sense a Juice Williams comeback however.

Last night was a blast. Wible, Langenbacher and I headed out to State Street, which is basically the equivalent of College Ave.

There are a lot more homeless people here than in State College however. Every couple of feet we were confronted with a guy jingling a cup, asking for change. We talked to one guy for a while as we waited to get into State Street Brats. He didn't have a whole lot to say, though.

We hit a handful of bars last night. State Street Brats, Irish Pub and Paul's.

State Street Brats was nuts. No cover, but they saw Wible coming. It costs nine dollars for a pitcher of PBR. I guess it did win a blue ribbon.

We shot the bull with a bunch of Penn State fans, Wible danced with a girl, we drank our beers and headed out. We stopped at a placed called Irish Pub and stayed there for a long time. Again, no cover, but 11 bucks for a Miller Lite pitcher.

It was probably 1:15 a.m. when we walked into Paul's. Really cool place. They had couches and comfy chairs on the other side of the bar. Let's just say I wish I would've visited Madison in my college search.

WIble wanted to buy a case of beer before we headed back to the hotel, but you can't buy beer in Wisconsin after 9:00 p.m. Dumb. So we got a cab back to the hotel, stumbled in and got some sleep.

We've got a few hours before we have to be at Camp Randall, so we're going to go our separate ways, then I'll check back in.

My goal today? Eat a brat.

--TJ

***

Hey everyone, this is Travis, posting my first of what I hope will be a couple entries before tomorrow's game.

And I say "hope" because it's been difficult to get internet access.

As far as I'm concerned the internet should be free. Everywhere. I'm not the most computer-savvy cat ever to roam the planet, but I know that the internet is basically like air nowadays. You can't charge people for air!

I missed my Friday classes - again - to go to Wible's house in York last night so we wouldn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch our flights out of BWI in Baltimore. I forgot my O's hat. But I remembered:

(Keep in mind this is the order I packed...)

One pair Levis blue jeans (527 bootcut)

One pair khaki dress pants

One white dress shirt

One white "date" shirt

One white t-shirt

One pair black dress socks

One pair white socks

One brown belt

Pawpaw's Zippo lighter sans fluid (good luck charm)

One pair brown dress shoes

One gold tie

One dress jacket

One pair flip flops

One pair swimming trunks (there was a killer pool in our hotel last week - not missing out this time)

One bottle Tylenol

One toothbrush

One stick Old Spice "Aqua Reef" scent

Two pair Haynes boxer briefs

One laptop + power cord

Four ink pens

One large pad of paper

One "holdout" journalist's notebook (for sideline work)

One recorder

One pair headphones

One Wisconsin football media guide

Plus the clothes I'm wearing now...

I forgot toothpaste, but every frickin' time I go through airport security, some guy jacks my Colgate Sparkle Mint. That's the best tasting toothpaste and I'm owed about 3 tubes of it dating back to last spring.

Luckily, Momma Wible hooked me up with a small "airport safe" tube so my breath won't be bad if I meet the next Mrs. Johnson in the land of cheese.

Poppa Wible fed us some terrific black bean chili and that went down pretty good with some Sam Adams. Wible's parents bought the variety pack, so I had one of each, from Irish Red to Scotch Ale.

Delicious.

Wible and Langenbacher's flight was about two hours ahead of mine, so they left me at BWI a little after 2:00 p.m. Since I couldn't get on the internet, I read a pretty decent story about the NHL's most hated goon, Sean Avery, in a copy of The Sporting News that Wible left behind.

Did you know that Avery interned at Vogue this summer? Whatta tough guy.

My flight to Chicago didn't leave the city that Ray Lewis built, until a little after 5:00 p.m. So what did I do with my time?

Jammed to My Morning Jacket, The Allman Brothers Band and SRV and played Space Cadet Pin Ball on my laptop.

The flight to Chicago was OK. Nice guy that spoke little English on the left, cute girl on the right. She spoke no English. At least not to me, but you can bet she was yakin' on the phone with her boyfriend as soon as we landed at O'Hare. Too bad.

My connecting flight left Chicago at about 8:55 p.m. There's only one Gate F at O'Hare, and I nearly got on a play to Green Bay instead of Madison. See, we had to walk out on the run way. There were two planes, one bound for Madison, the other for Titletown.

As a lifelong Pack fan, it was neat to see a bunch of Packers followers headed home, but I needed to be in Madison to cover the Wisconsin game. The flight attendant on the Green Bay plane looked at me crooked when I showed her my boarding pass.

Oh well. I turned and got on the Madison plane.

Short flight from Chicago to Madison. Met two nice guys from State College on the flight and another cute girl who graduated from Penn State two years ago. She teaches fourth grade now. Bless her heart.

I'm in Madison now and it's a bit chilly. Good. Football weather.

I'll check in tomorrow. We're headed to State Street now. Be safe.

--TJ

EAST MANCHESTER TWP., Pa. -- Howdy yall,

We're here on our way to Baltimore/Washington International Airport en route to Madison, Wis., for Saturday's primetime matchup between the Lions and Badgers.

It's been a pretty uneventful trip thus far, accentuated by a couple big ole' bowls of momma and poppa Wible's black bean chili. Tomorrow morning we'll get in the air and set down in the land of cheese.

But until then, we've been watching some of the Big Ten network and Gerry DiNardo predicted Wisconsin will run for more than 100 yards Saturday night.

Considering the Badgers average 45 rushing attempts per game, they'd have to average 2.22 yards per carry against the Lions.

And trying this math thing a little more, the average Wisconsin lineman stands 6-foot-5, they could fall over and the running backs could pick up almost 2.22 yards per handoff.

Remember, I'm not a math major (but my mom did teach math for 35 years, so shhh).

But while the Wisconsin running game is pretty much its offense, a quick straw poll around the living room here says the game will come down to Badger quarterback Allen Evridge.

He's struggled during his last three games, completing only 51 percent of his passes and throwing three interceptions. If he can't lead at least a decent passing attack, the Lions most likely will load the box and should be able to stuff the Badger running attack.

But if Evridge can complete a couple passes early and force Anthony Scirrotto and Mark Rubin to think pass-first, P.J. Hill and John Clay could have plenty of room to run.

Anyway, it's getting late and we gotta hit the road early tomorrow. We're gonna hit the sack. But check back tomorrow for some updates "from the field."

We'll be with yall all weekend with updates from our trip to Madison.

And with that, Travis, Josh and I bid you adieu with one of the best pieces of literature ever written.

Goodnight room
Goodnight moon
Good night cow jumping over the moon
Goodnight light
And the red balloon
Goodnight bears
Goodnight chairs
Goodnight kittens,
And goodnight mittens
Goodnight clocks
And goodnight socks
Goodnight little house
And goodnight mouse
Goodnight comb
And goodnight brush
Goodnight nobody
Goodnight mush
And goodnight to the old lady whispering hush
Goodnight stars
Goodnight air
Goodnight noises everywhere

-- Wible

Here's Kirk Herbstreit's early preview of Penn State's weekend matchup against Wisconsin.

A question now posed to you:

Should the Nittany Lions be on upset alert?

We love email!

--TJ

Team comedian Rich Ohrnberger showed off his funny side Wednesday morning.

A.Q. Shipley was scheduled for a conference call at 11 a.m., and he did appear.

Sort of.

Sports information director Jeff Nelson sent an e-mail later in the afternoon apologizing for another player posing as Shipley. There has been no official confirmation that Ohrnberger was the culprit, but the prankster is widely suspected.

Ohrnberger, by all accounts, nailed the Pittsburgh colloquialism and Shipley's personality.

Even better?

Ohrnberger answered a question about himself. Somehow, he managed to keep a straight face during the entire conference call.

Give Ohrnberger all the credit for pulling it off. The prank also shows how loose at least two players are heading into the toughest test of the season thus far, which might be the most important development of the week.

Here's hoping Ohrnberger talks soon -- as himself, of course -- so we can see how he pulled one over.

Or maybe Shipley would be a better fill-in for Ohrnberger.

With so much hype surrounding the environment in Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium for Saturday night's game, I decided to do a little research to see just how wild the studious Badgers are.

Thanks to you power of YouTube, I came away with five discoveries. (Note: I can't actually put any of these videos in the blog because, well, they're a little too vulgar and I don't want my little nephew hearing such awful language. So basically, click the links a warning of explicit content).

My Conclusions:

1. Wisconsin students love classic top 40 songs.
Like the one made famous by the movie Animal House, Shout! (warning explicit), or the Foundations' Build Me Up Buttercup (warning explicit). But that's all well and good, teams across the country play old pop rock songs, but those Wisconsinites wouldn't dare "steal" Penn State's own Hey Baby, or would they (warning explicit)? You judge which is better?

2. The Badger students are well organized.
So much, in fact, they can change the speed of their waves (warning explicit).

3. Fans at Camp Randall have strong calves.

Especially considering how much they love to jump (warning explicit). Sometimes even the players jump -- nothing but pun intended -- in (warning explicit). And it engulfs the entire stadium.

But the real question is, does it beat this?

4. People from Wisconsin apparently like to use four-letter words, a lot.

I mean I've spent nights at the Skeller, Gaff and believe it or not, the Collegian offices, and even I'm a little taken aback by this, a little.

(Warning, the following videos are extremely vulgar)

First, they took the Steve Miller Band classic Swingtown and turned it into S#!&town (warning explicit) (well, not technically, S#!&towne (warning explicit) is a song by the band Live, from my hometown, York, Pa. what? Funny story about that, the father of Live's lead singer, Ed Kowalczyk, taught seventh grade at my middle school. Also, one of my friends is the drummer's cousin)

Next, the Badger faithful took one of the most common stadium cheers and turned it rated R (warning explicit). (I know many stadiums include the "you suck" part after "Hey," but do they need the rest?) Guess the Wisconsin students couldn't come up with something more creative, like, maybe, this.

Finally, the students took the traditional call and response cheer, kind of like "We Are ... something something" and just made it downright filthy, I mean come on, they're your fellow Wisconsin students (warning, extremely, utterly, unquestionably explicit. Like to the point where if you don't want to feel like you'll have to go to confession immediately, do not click this link).

5. My final conclusion, and it's fairly obvious, there must be a heckuva lot of alcoholics at the University of Wisconsin.

First, the band plays songs from beer commercials, and just changes "Bud" to "Wisconsin." And they add polkas. The last time I saw sober people dancing the polka was at a wedding on my mother's side of the family.

Sticking with the polka theme, the band also plays a good ole' song I last heard being played by the Phyrst Family, the beer barrel polka. But I gotta admit, the band does look like it's having a blast while "rolling out the barrels."

The students, on the other hand, coordinate their walk down the stadium steps and presumably to the bar.

Finally, the entire student section loudly and, presumably proudly, voices its post game plans (warning explicit). (Could this have been right after Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor crossed the goal line late in the fourth quarter?)

So there you have it. Hopefully it's given you a little insight into what the Lions will be getting themselves into this Saturday. If Joe Paterno wants the squad to get a feel for the environment, maybe he should just have them practice outside Canyon at 2:15 some morning.

-- Wible

One of the reasons Madison is a unique spot is Wisconsin's band.

The band may not be a factor at Penn State.

Band director Mike Leckrone suspended the band for Saturday's game against Ohio State after allegations of sexual misconduct, hazing and alcohol abuse.

Saturday night was the first time Wisconsin's band has missed a game in more than 40 years. We'll see if this Saturday becomes the second time.

-- Josh

With the Nittany Lions facing a trip to Wisconsin Saturday, many fans are probably wondering, as we are around the Collegian office, what exactly is a Badger?

Is Wisconsin's Buckingham U. Badger, aka Bucky, an accurate representation?

No, Bucky looks happy and loves children.

Real badgers, are, well, U-G-L-Y, they ain't got not alibi, they ugly, oh yea, they ugly.

And they always looked pissed off. They're relentless (kind of like a wall playing tennis), and have even been known to kill snakes. So I don't know if I'd trust a real badger with a small child.

But when it comes time to party, Badgers love to dance and break it down.

After some thorough research, a badgers are short-legged and heavy-set which very strong jaws which they use to latch onto rodents, which they eat. Badgers roam the Great Plains region of North America and throughout the western United States, and south to Mexico.

Badgers prefer to inhabit large prairies and open fields and burrow underground in clans of 2-15 badgers. Badgers are fierce animals and will protect themselves and their young at all costs, even against much larger animals such as wolves, coyotes and bears. Badgers can run at up to 25-30 km per hour for short periods of time.

It's legal to hunt and trap Badgers, and they are prized for their fur. Although uncommon today, they were one of the main meat sources in the native American diet. However, badger meat is making a comeback as an exotic delicacy in some western states.

-- Wible

The Lions take a drive deep into Purdue territory, but the Boilermakers stop Penn State at the Purdue eight yard line. The Lions settle for a Kevin Kelly field goal, which is right down the middle, more than can be said about Purdue's kickers.

But the field goal ends the half and Penn State takes a 10-0 halftime lead. For lack of a better word or cliche, the Lions' defense has bended a lot, but when it needed to, it solidified at stuffed the Boilermakers.

Penn State gets the second-half kickoff, and just a hunch, the Lions are gonna take over from there.

***

Howdy yall,

this is Wible back in the homebase of State College, after a nice drive to the Penn State 18, the Purdue offense stalled and the Boilermakers missed their second field goal of the day.

The score remains 7-0 Penn State, but the Nittany Lion defense has allowed a lot of yards, just no points thus far. This could turn into a shootout soon.

***

Hello everyone, this is Travis coming to you live from the press box at Ross-Ade Stadium, the site of today's noon game between No. 6 Penn State and Purdue.

The big story today? Joe Paterno might coach from the coach's box again.

Paterno coached the second half of the Temple game two weeks ago from the press box due to a sore leg.

One of Paterno's players is also dealing with a lower body injury. Senior wide receiver Jordan Norwood traveled with the team, but has a hamstring injury and has been downgraded to questionable for today's game. Norwood missed last week's game against Illinois. He was previously listed as probable for today's game.

The team is on the field now, warming up and Norwood is dressed. He looks to be OK. He's running around and stretching out -- something he did not do last week.

On to the players that we know for sure will play today and more specifically, a tale of two linebackers.

Penn State's Josh Hull will play in the middle of the Nittany Lion "D" while Anthony Heygood will anchor the Boilermaker unit.

Penn State is known as Linebacker U, but the best linebacker on the field today might be Heygood.

The Lions lost the poster boy of their defense earlier this season when Sean Lee tore his ACL. Hull stepped in to replace him and has come under fire recently.

Heygood, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound 'backer, is in his fifth year for the Boilermakers and is second in the Big Ten in tackles per game. The Chester, Pa. native averages 10 tackles per game.

I talked to Heygood in Chicago earlier this summer at Big Ten Media Days and he remembered a lot of things going wrong for he and his teammates last year when they visited Beaver Stadium.

Here's what Heygood had to say when I asked him what he remembered about last year's game:

"I remember a lot from that game. A lot of things went wrong for us. I remember the opening kickoff, defense had two personal fouls, fumble on the one yard line, the ref kept the clock going when Selwyn stepped out of bounds."

Heygood admitted he was overly excited at Beaver Stadium and committed a personal foul that hurt his team.

"It's definitely my favorite road game. It's really vicious actually -- 107,000 or 111,000 people yellin' at you and none of them want you to win. It's fun. It's a great atmosphere to play in to get you prepared for anywhere."

Heygood will have to have a big game today at home if the Boilermakers want to have a chance to win this ballgame. The Purdue defense isn't that great. They give up 194.5 rushing yards per game and 244.75 passing yards per game.

Yikes!

We'll keep our eyes on Norwood and Paterno, but I'll be turning it over to Wible back in State College who is going to be blogging the rest of the game.

--TJ

Boilermakers convert third down with Orton in the middle of the field. No one else around. It was Elliott's first official pass of the season.

Elliott is at least moving Purdue, which is more than Painter could say. Painter's thrown for exactly zero touchdowns against PSU in four games. He does have three interceptions, though.

Elliott converts with Orton on another third down. Sargeant in for the first time today.

Sargeant shows his rust. Drops an easy, easy interception.

Heading down to the field.

***

Now a Purdue player slipped. He's got to be at least the seventh player to slip.

Purdue ball at the 18 with 13:00 left. Interestingly, Painter was pulled in favor of Joey Elliott. Painter 13-22 for 112 yards after three quarters. Guess he's not passing 10,000 career throwing yards today.

****

Someone said earlier it looked like PSU was playing on ice. Add Stephfon Green slipping to the list of guys who haven't had their footing. Green slipped on a pitch play for a loss of 1 on 3rd and goal from the 2.

Shuler hurt on the play

Kelly splits the uprights for a 20-yard FG and 20-0 lead with 13:06 left.

****

Jeremy Boone just boomed a nice punt to the Purdue 7 after Daryll Clark nearly was picked off.

Clark wanted tight end Andrew Quarless down the seam and went for the long ball, but Purdue safety Torri Williams had other plans.

Williams nearly came down with the pick but collided with Quarless and the ball fell harmlessly to the grass.

Stephfon Green has to be disappointed with that. The speedy freshman squirted loose on big runs of 28 and 16 yards.

Penn State still leads 17-0 with a minute to go in the quarter.

Painter was just intercepted by Drew Astorino. Penn State will get the ball in good field position after the pick.

HOW'S MY BLOGGING?

*****

Purdue's Kory Sheets had 25 yards rushing in the first half. He nearly doubled that on one big 19-yard run on the Boilermakers' last drive.

But Purdue was forced to punt after the offense winked out at midfield.

*****

Penn State's offense is moving like a locomotive right now and there isn't a dang thing the Boilermakers can do about it.

Clark handed off to Evan Royster who took the ball up the middle for the touchdown. Royster also added hard runs of 12 and ten yards on that drive.

Deon Butler was the guy, though. Butler made a fantastic adjustment on a Clark deep ball along the right sidelines. The wideout turned, found the ball, cradled it in his arms and touched a toe down in bounds for the drive's longest and prettiest play.

PSU 17, PURDUE 0

7 plays, 61 yards, 3:30 TOP

*****

On his first drive of the second half, Clark threw nice deep comebacks to Butler and Zug for first downs, but two handoffs to Evan Royster up the middle and then an incompletion to Williams forced the Lions to punt.

PSU 10, PURDUE 0 11:45 3RD

*****

Painter and the Boilermakers stalled after a big Aaron Maybin sack and Purdue's kicker booted a 45-yard field goal wide right.

Now, Penn State's offense has the ball and just crossed midfield.

Clark hands the ball to Royster who patiently waits for holes to open for a 23-yard gain.

Williams and Butler are split out wide for Penn State and Clark wants to go to Williams. No one is open and Clark just gets rid of it.

On 3rd and 7, Clark zips a nice pass over the middle that is hauled in by Graham Zug on the five.

Clark's under center and pitches to Williams, who loses two yards.

Clark takes off on the QB draw up the middle. He lunges with the ball for a gain of six, but is stopped short of the goal line at the one.

Dan Lawlor jumps over the pile, but does not get in. 4th and goal from the one.

Oops, wait, the zebras are reviewing Lawlor's leap. The play will stand, but Clark falls across the goal line on a QB keep for the game's first score.

PSU 7, PURDUE 0 - 7:34 2ND

*****

Travis here. There's just over four minutes left in the first quarter and so far, this game has yielded four punts. Not a whole lot going on yet. Penn State looked like it was moving the ball well on its first possession, but stalled at midfield.

We still haven't seen Jordan Norwood or tight end Mickey Shuler on the field for Penn State.

A.J. Wallace started at cornerback for Penn State in place of Lydell Sargeant. Sargeant missed practice time last week due to personal reasons. Sargeant is on the Penn State sideline, but is helmetless. It looks like Wallace will be seeing most of the reps at corner.

Painter and the Boilermakers are driving now. The Purdue offense is gaining yards in chucks. The "blacked out" Purdue student section is going wild.

Painter keeps the ball, and Penn State's Drew Astorino makes the stop after a two-yard gain. Purdue has the ball on Penn State's 23 yard line.

PSU 0, PURDUE 0, END OF THE 1ST QUARTER

*****

Hello everyone, this is Travis coming to you live from the press box at Ross-Ade Stadium, the site of today's noon game between No. 6 Penn State and Purdue.

The big story today? Joe Paterno might coach from the coach's box again.

Paterno coached the second half of the Temple game two weeks ago from the press box due to a sore leg.

One of Paterno's players is also dealing with a lower body injury. Senior wide receiver Jordan Norwood traveled with the team, but has a hamstring injury and has been downgraded to questionable for today's game. Norwood missed last week's game against Illinois. He was previously listed as probable for today's game.

The team is on the field now, warming up and Norwood is dressed. He looks to be OK. He's running around and stretching out -- something he did not do last week.

On to the players that we know for sure will play today and more specifically, a tale of two linebackers.

Penn State's Josh Hull will play in the middle of the Nittany Lion "D" while Anthony Heygood will anchor the Boilermaker unit.

Penn State is known as Linebacker U, but the best linebacker on the field today might be Heygood.

The Lions lost the poster boy of their defense earlier this season when Sean Lee tore his ACL. Hull stepped in to replace him and has come under fire recently.

Heygood, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound 'backer, is in his fifth year for the Boilermakers and is second in the Big Ten in tackles per game. The Chester, Pa. native averages 10 tackles per game.

I talked to Heygood in Chicago earlier this summer at Big Ten Media Days and he remembered a lot of things going wrong for he and his teammates last year when they visited Beaver Stadium.

Here's what Heygood had to say when I asked him what he remembered about last year's game:

"I remember a lot from that game. A lot of things went wrong for us. I remember the opening kickoff, defense had two personal fouls, fumble on the one yard line, the ref kept the clock going when Selwyn stepped out of bounds."

Heygood admitted he was overly excited at Beaver Stadium and committed a personal foul that hurt his team.

"It's definitely my favorite road game. It's really vicious actually -- 107,000 or 111,000 people yellin' at you and none of them want you to win. It's fun. It's a great atmosphere to play in to get you prepared for anywhere."

Heygood will have to have a big game today at home if the Boilermakers want to have a chance to win this ballgame. The Purdue defense isn't that great. They give up 194.5 rushing yards per game and 244.75 passing yards per game.

Yikes!

We'll keep our eyes on Norwood and Paterno, but I'll be turning it over to Wible back in State College who is going to be blogging the rest of the game.

--TJ

Whoa. Finally. Out of the car and into the hotel room.

Greetings everyone, this is Travis blogging to you from West Lafayette, Ind. the site of tomorrow's noon game between No. 6 Penn State and Purdue.

I just took my first shower of the day after riding about 11 hours in the spacious Collegian Subaru from State College and I'm ready for some football.

Our journey to the heartland of America has spanned three states and offered us many different sights.

We had planned to leave at 9:00 a.m. this morning. My phone rang eight minutes later and it was Langenbacher, wondering where the hell I was. We managed to leave State College, with two photographers in tow at around 10:00 a.m.

From there it was the usual whenever I jinx a trip with my tardiness. Rain and fog all through Western PA, which Langenbacher navigated us through like a champ. Eventually, I came out of the pen to relieve the the drowsy right-hander (wheel hand) and took us across the Ohio border around 1:00 p.m.

I had never been to Ohio before today. There was one time I was close, however. I was going to visit an ex-girlfriend who lived in Pittsburgh a few years back. I had never been to the Steel City at that time. The trip was supposed to take three hours, it took me six. I realized the error of my ways when I started to see signs for Cleveland...

Anywho.

I was looking forward to my first trip through the Buckeye State but it really didn't live up to my expectations.

I mean, c'mon. I've seen cows before! And cornfields!

Beautiful countryside though. Probably some nice fishin' in Ohio.

We got a bite to eat at a Hardee's. Who knew they still existed? The curly fries are still top-notch.

Next to the fast food joint was a truck stop. I wandered over to check out the merchandise because there's something that's just so dang honest about a truck stop. Maybe it's all the highway rock 'n' roll?

Anyways, they had NFL jerseys for sale, but they looked like ones made incorrectly. There was a Brett Favre jersey without the striped collar. It was $13.99, marked down from $15.99. I suppose the two-dollar rollback was due to the fact that it was a Packers jersey.

Hm?

We crossed into Indiana with Langenbacher steady at the wheel close to 6:30 p.m. I had nearly fallen asleep at the wheel on the highway when my partner made me pull over.

It was for the best.

Indiana looks a lot like Ohio. At least what I've seen so far. Lots of cows. Lots of corn. Nothing but flat land.

We had to make a pit stop for everyone to go to the bathroom. It was a hoot trying to find the bathroom in that rundown gas station. The lady kept telling me:

"Go out the exit. Take an immediate left."

Each time I took her immediate left, I ran into a big stack of dishes sitting on a rack. Why were they there? Who knows. Maybe I don't know my left from my right, but she eventually pointed me in the right direction.

We saw exits for South Bend and nearly took them just to say we saw Touchdown Jesus. We couldn't veer off-path, however.

So now we're at the hotel. Which is good and bad. Good, because we're off that lonesome highway. Bad because it means an end of sightseeing.

We need the rest.

The hotel-provided soap smells like a cherry urinal cake, but the pillows are soft, the beds are comfy and the internet is free.

And, I could never forget:

There's football tomorrow.

BONUS JOURNALISM:

West Lafayette is still Eastern time. Who knew?

We'll be in touch,

--TJ

With the Nittany Lions' first true road test (sorry Syracuse) coming this weekend, college football fans and analysts around the country are anxious to see just how legit this year's Penn State squad is.

With the Lions 13.5 point favorites on the road, obviously Vegas believes in Joe Paterno's squad.

But ESPN.com columnist Pat Forde is one of the many waiting until at least after the Purdue game to pass judgement on the blue and white.

Penn State at Purdue (34). The Boilermakers probably aren't up for this task, but the best time to be a home underdog is against an opponent that has not yet been challenged in a hostile setting. Penn State has played one road game -- at Syracuse, which doesn't count. This also qualifies as a trap game for the Nittany Lions -- a week after the White Out game against Illinois and a week before the road trip to Madison.

ESPN.com Forde-Yard Dash

Frankly, I've got to agree with him, to an extent. It's true the Lions haven't really been tested in a hostile environment this season, but Purdue's rush defense is worse than Illinois', and we all saw what Evan Royster, the offensive line and co. did against the Illini.

Expect more of the same this week. Wait until the trip to Camp Randall in a week and a half before crowning this edition of the Lions.

-- Wible