PENN STATE Paterno optimist as Nittany Lions wind down

With a 2-7 record, Penn State is at Northwestern today.
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- Joe Paterno isn't sure what to expect.
Penn State has lost five in a row for the first time under Paterno. The seniors won't play in a bowl for the third time in four years. And no matter how they finish, the Nittany Lions will suffer their first-ever losing season in the Big Ten.
Paterno would like to believe his team will be at its best today against Northwestern -- that they'll forget their abysmal record, the near misses and the failed comebacks.
But he isn't making any guarantees.
"You just don't know. This group of kids have been very resilient. I think they will come out of this with the idea, 'Let's finish this thing up right,' " Paterno said. "For me to tell you that I am sure? No, I am not sure. But I think we will be OK."
Just how bad has it gotten for the Nittany Lions?
Big Ten flop
They're winless in the Big Ten with three games remaining -- two games behind Northwestern in the conference standings.
The latest loss for Penn State (2-7, 0-5 Big Ten) may have been its toughest. The Nittany Lions led Ohio State most of the game, only to watch the Buckeyes score the game-winning TD with 1:35 to go.
The loss assured Penn State of a losing season, its third in four seasons but only the fourth in Paterno's 38 years as coach.
That it was close didn't matter.
"I don't like moral victories. I haven't been in this thing that long to think that Penn State has to be happy with a moral victory," Paterno said. "I am not discouraged and nobody is going to make me discouraged."
Northwestern can relate to Penn State's frustrations.
The Wildcats, looking improve on last year's 3-9 season, had beaten Wisconsin and Indiana in consecutive weeks. Suddenly, becoming bowl eligible was a real possibility.
Then came a tough setback last week against Purdue when Northwestern fumbled four times in a 34-14 loss.
The miscues were out of character for Northwestern, which led the nation in fewest fumbles lost going into the game with two.
Quarterback Brett Basanez fumbled on consecutive possessions in the first quarter that lead to two Purdue touchdowns, and running back Jason Wright fumbled for the first time in 383 carries.
Wildcats ready
"Putting that Purdue game behind us, it's going to take our best emotional attitude to get to the right place," Northwestern coach Randy Walker said. "We still have a lot to play for."
Northwestern has sputtered on offense this year -- a surprise for a team whose biggest troubles in recent year have been on defense. The Wildcats are in the bottom third of the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 19 points a game.
Part of the problem has been the play of Basanez.
The struggling quarterback has thrown nine interceptions and just three touchdown passes this season and is near the bottom of the conference in passing efficiency.
Earlier in the week, Walker defended the play of his quarterback -- saying Basanez was still the team's top option.
As for Basanez, he says the criticism doesn't bother him.
"If you start doubting yourself, you're not going to play to the best of your abilities," he said.
Basanez will need to be at his best against Penn State.
The Nittany Lions are among the best in the country and defending the pass. They lead the nation in pass defense, giving up 129.9 yards a game, and have not allowed a 200-yard passing game.
In the loss to Ohio State, sophomore Alan Zemaitis returned an interception for a 78-yard touchdown. It was the second straight week Penn State had run back an interception for a score.
"We know we are going to have our hands full against Penn State," Walker said. "They've had some tough losses this year, but I don't forget about the quality players they have. They have a lot of talent and they've been right there a bunch of times."