Penn State, Illinois try to bounce back

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Juice Williams felt the pain of losing, and then he felt Daryll Clark’s anguish.

So the Illinois quarterback sent a text message to his Penn State counterpart following the Nittany Lions’ loss last Saturday to Iowa. Earlier that day, the Illini got shut out by Ohio State.

They’ll have a chance to commiserate in person Saturday when No. 15 Penn State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) visits the Illini (1-2, 0-1).

“He said, ‘Give me a call when you get a chance. I’m kind of feeling right now how you’re feeling right now,’ ” Clark recalled this week about his message from Williams. They attended the same camp over the summer and stayed in touch.

“What’s important is that leaders of a football team bounce back,” Clark said.

Better execution is a point of emphasis this week on an offense that sputtered after the first quarter in the 21-10 loss to Iowa. Clark was 12 for 32 for 198 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions last week at soggy Beaver Stadium.

Clark has six picks through four games this year — the same number he had in all of 2008. He’s also attempted 129 passes so far in 2009, 51 more than at the same point last year.

Against Iowa, Penn State had four turnovers, not including a safety after Clark fumbled on a sack in the end zone.

Penalties hampered the offense, especially deep in its own territory.

The team captain studied the film, took Sunday off and returned to practice Monday motivated. Time to move on, he said.

“It’s just a switch that needs to be turned on in certain situations,” Clark said. “When there’s an opportunity to put on points, everyone on the offensive side ... has to be on the same page.”

That includes the offensive line, which struggled to give Clark time to throw against Iowa’s tough defensive front.

Penn State also has struggled in its run game. Top tailback Evan Roster (305 yards) is averaging almost 5 yards a carry, but has just three touchdowns.

Center Stefen Wisniewski said the line just needs a little more consistency.

“You have to have a great week of practice and build on that,” said Wisniewski, who played right guard last season. “You got to have a fire in the game, a desire to make every block and play through every whistle.”

The Nittany Lions may make another change on the line Saturday, which would be their second switch up front this season.

Coach Joe Paterno said Nerraw McCormack may start at right tackle in place of DeOn’tae Pannell, who struggled against Iowa. Johnnie Troutman took over at left guard two games ago.

“There’s definitely a frustration, but I wouldn’t say we’re fully jelled yet,” Wisniewski said.