COLLEGE FOOTBALL Paterno puts PSU's win over OSU in perspective

He says Penn State has another big game this week against Michigan.
By ROB TODOR
VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Thousands of delirious Penn State fans celebrated the Nittany Lions' 17-10 victory over Ohio State into the wee hours Sunday morning.
Joe Paterno preferred to take a more pragmatic view.
"I am not going to get carried away with one win," JoePa said. "[We] beat a good football team ... I have tried to downplay the fact that so many people wanted to make this 'the' big game. We have another one [Michigan] this week."
Despite Paterno's cautious outlook, there's little debate Penn State rose to the challenge in the program's biggest game in several years.
The defense limited Ohio State to 91 yards rushing and an average of just 3.5 yards per play overall.
The maligned kickoff coverage controlled Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. to less than 15 average yards on four returns.
"I think we have the make-up of a good football team," Paterno said. "I don't know how good yet."
Nittany Lions crack top 10
Penn State moved up to No. 8 in today's Associated Press poll and No. 10 in the USA Today rankings. Ohio State fell to No. 15 in both polls.
"I really like this squad," Paterno said. "They are a lot of fun to work with. You have to kick them in the rear end every once in a while to get them moving, but they are hard workers."
And about that crowd?
"In all the years I have been here I have never seen more spontaneous enthusiasm," Paterno said
On the other side of the stadium, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel faced more questions about why his conservative offense can't get the ball into the hands of Ginn and other playmakers.
Ginn had five touches -- two rushes and three receptions, and Santonio Holmes had just four catches.
Leading rusher Antonio Pittman had only 15 carries.
Smith inconsistent
Quarterback Troy Smith had just 15 rushing yards on 19 carries -- he was sacked a season-high five teams -- and completed only 13-of-25 passes for 139 yards. He had only 89 yards through the air before the Buckeyes' final drive of the game.
"I thought [Smith was pressing] a lit bit early on," Tressel said, "and then a couple throws in the second half, if he had just taken a little bit off of them. He played hard [but] he was under a lot of duress."
Smith's most glaring mistake was his interception in the second quarter which set up Penn State's second touchdown.
Calvin Lowry's return to the 2-yard line set up a score by Michael Robinson three plays later.
"It put us in a bad spot, but it was an opportunity for the defense," OSU linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "If we could have made a goal-line stand that would have a huge momentum change for us."
Both defenses dominated the second half -- Ohio State gained 100 yards after halftime and Penn State had just 74 (just 29 after an opening drive netted a field goal).
"The defense in the second half was absolutely superb," Paterno said. "They were under a lot of pressure because [if] they make one mistake and we are in a tie ball game."
As it turned out, Penn State did not make any mistakes and the Buckeyes' two turnovers determined the outcome.
"I guess the long and short of it is we didn't do the things you have to do to beat a good team at their stadium," Tressel said.
todor@vindy.com