Penn State’s challenge: stop Michigan’s run

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Stopping the run is as much a part of Penn State football as coach Joe Paterno’s rolled-up khakis.

Running the football is just as important at Michigan, which boasts one of the nation’s best running games behind its relentless spread option attack.

It should make for one entertaining afternoon Saturday when the No. 13 Nittany Lions (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) and Wolverines meet at the Big House.

“They like the spread. We like to stop the run. They’re a very good running team,” Penn State linebacker Sean Lee said. “If we can keep both quarterbacks in the pocket, that will be the key.”

Only it hasn’t been that easy for most other defenses that have played Michigan (5-2, 1-2) this year. Two freshmen signal-callers, starter Tate Forcier and backup Denard Robinson, have proven dangerous in operating an offense which averages a league-leading 235 rushing yards per game.

Paterno remembers Forcier from his days recruiting him.

“Well, I think he’s a kid that’s just got a little bit of something about him. Reminds me a little bit of the kid that, when he started playing at Florida, the big quarterback at Florida, [Tim] Tebow,” Paterno said. “He’s got a little bit of that, but he has a little more finesse.”

Penn State won’t budge easily.

With run-stuffing tackles Jared Odrick and Ollie Ogbu manning the defensive line, and Lee joining Josh Hull and Navorro Bowman on a standout linebacking crew, Penn State has given up just 75 yards on the ground per game — although mostly against clearly inferior teams, including FCS school Eastern Illinois.

Michigan is bouncing back from a 3-9 season a year ago, but in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year its rushing offense is one of the best in the country. Paterno is realistic about Saturday.

“You don’t get down to where you expect to stop anybody cold,” Paterno said. “We’re going to have our hands full with these guys and we know that.”

The defensive message this week in Happy Valley is to stay disciplined, stay in the lanes and watch out for the ball-handler to shift directions.

Thus far, the defense has delivered, rolling into Ann Arbor off its most complete performance yet in a 20-0 defeat last week of Minnesota. Bowman’s explosive burst off the line led the charge in repeatedly taking down opposing tailbacks in the backfield.

The instinctive Lee, who can be just as good as Bowman, is easing back into the lineup after missing three games with a left knee sprain, while the improving Hull is solid in the middle.

“They’re going to stretch you out and you have to be patient,” said Hull, Penn State’s leading tackler (69). “Focus on gaps, try to slow play and try to concentrate on cutbacks.”

The Nittany Lions don’t have a bad running game themselves, with an offensive line that’s finding its stride after early struggles, and tailback Evan Royster averaging more than 100 yards over the last games.

Don’t expect Penn State to play keep away on offense, though, just because they want to keep the ball out of the Wolverines’ hands.

“We really don’t pay attention to that. We just have to focus on the game plan, and how we outsmart their defense,” quarterback Daryll Clark said.