PSU FOOTBALL

Lions preparing for physical showdown

Jeff Rice

UNIVERSITY PARK —The statistics suggest that Saturday's game won't involve a lot of scoring. The recent history between the two teams and their respective coaches' track records of old-school coaching — read, tight — in big games support that theory.

But if you’re expecting No. 11 Penn State’s showdown with No. 15 Ohio State in Beaver Stadium to be a reprise of last year’s 13-6 heart-thumper in Columbus, Joe Paterno isn’t joining you.

“I have absolutely no way of knowing,” the Penn State coach said Tuesday.

Turnovers, field position, big plays, penalties and mistakes can all have huge effects on the “style” of the game, was the coach’s point.

“We’ve got to go in there and play our game,” Paterno said. “I just hope we’re competitive enough and we’re adaptable enough that we can take advantage of whatever circumstances present themselves.”

Saturday’s game, the 300th played in Beaver Stadium, will be the 25th meeting between the two programs. Both have 12 wins. Ohio State, which blasted Penn State 37-17 here in 2007, has won in two of its last three visits, and hasn’t allowed more than 17 points to the Nittany Lions in any meeting, home or away, since 2003.

Comparisons of the two teams, who have combined to win at least a share of the last four Big Ten championships, will abound this week, particularly on defense. The Nittany Lions and Buckeyes rank one-two in the majority of the conference’s major defensive categories.

“Both teams are usually very tough, fundamentally sound teams that play hard throughout the whole game,” linebacker Sean Lee said. “The only style I can say is really similar is the physicality.”

The Nittany Lions might not know any more than Paterno just what sort of flow the game will have, but they know enough to be ready for some hitting.

“It’s going to be a tough, physical game,” Penn State tailback Evan Royster said. “Both teams have great defenses. It’s going to be a tough-fought game and come down to a couple plays.”

Green light?

Penn State sophomore tailback Stephfon Green, who missed each of the team’s last two games with a right ankle injury, was able to practice “a little bit” on Monday, said Paterno. Green is listed on the weekly injury report as “possible” for Saturday’s game.

“I’m anxious to see how he does today,” Paterno said.

Paterno liked the way Brandon Beachum performed as Royster’s primary backup in the wins over Michigan and Northwestern, though he said the true sophomore doesn’t have the ability “to go all the way” that Green does.

Hitting his stride

Lee’s sprained left knee threatened to put a damper on his entire senior season. But the Penn State linebacker is getting healthy at the right time.

Lee, who made his first start in six weeks as the Nittany Lions won 34-13 at Northwestern last weekend, practiced fully Monday and should be at full speed for Saturday’s game.

“This week I’ve started to become 100 percent,” Lee said. “Each week I feel better.”

Paterno said that Lee “ought to feel pretty good” about his progress. The coach evidently feels good to have his co-captain back in the lineup as well, though he didn’t want to jinx Lee’s health.

“He’s doing well,” Paterno said. “I ought to just keep my mouth shut after that.”

GAMEDAY

No. 15 Ohio State at No. 11 Penn State

When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Beaver Stadium

TV: ABC

Radio: WQWK 1450, WBUS 93.7

Jeff Rice can be reached at 231-4609.