Michigan’s Graham could give Lions fits

Jeff Rice

After Michigan had jumped out to an early lead and even after Penn State had come back to take an even bigger lead last year, Nittany Lions quarterback Daryll Clark heard the presnap smack talk coming across the line of scrimmage from Brandon Graham.

“I’ll be in that backfield,” the Wolverines’ defensive end would say. “I’m coming this play.”

Graham didn’t get to Clark that day — nor did any other Michigan defender in the Nittany Lions’ 46-17 win — but Penn State will keep close watch on where he is in today’s rematch.

“If you don’t block him,” Clark said, “he’ll definitely do exactly what he says.”

No. 13 Penn State (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) will try to erase a five-game losing streak in Michigan Stadium when it meets the Wolverines (5-2, 1-2) at 3:30 p.m. How the Nittany Lions’ defense, ranked first in the Big Ten in scoring, fares against the conference’s top offense is the marquee matchup, but how the Wolverines attack Clark could be just as key.

Since his abysmal three-interception performance in a 21-10 loss to Iowa, Clark has rebounded to climb to 28th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in passing efficiency (144.31). His offensive line, after some early struggles against blitzes (and Iowa defensive ends Broderick Binns and Adrian Clayborn) has given him more time to throw.

“Obviously that was going to take some time with the offensive line getting their-selves together and jelling as one unit,” Clark said. “Our O-line is not always going to be able to block everybody. Sometimes the last guy is going to be my guy and I have to know where to go with the football.”

Michigan’s defensive numbers (363 yards per game, 21.9 points per game) haven’t been great, but the Wolverines have faced the capable offenses of Notre Dame, Indiana, Michigan State and Iowa. Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, the head coach at Syracuse last season, loves to send pressure, a high-risk, high-reward strategy that has led to big plays by and against Michigan’s defense all year.

“When you make big plays on them you’ve got to be awfully precise,” Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said. “Because they’re coming.”

Penn State, which leads the Big Ten with 21 sacks, will look to put pressure on Michigan freshman quarterbacks Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson but also wants to keep them in the pocket. Both are dangerous runners.

Forcier has already shown a penchant for fourth-quarter comebacks, so the Nittany Lion offense wants to make sure it converts its scoring opportunities into touchdowns, as it did late in last week’s 20-0 win over Minnesota, not field goals, as it did early in that game.

Penn State players on both sides of the ball will enter the Big House with confidence after turning in convincing wins in each of the last three weeks.

“We’re starting to click,” Clark said. “We’re getting it done on both sides of the football, and that’s what you need to do to win games.”

Notes:Michigan leads the all-time series 10-4. ... The Nittany Lions have lost five of the last six games they’ve played in the state of Michigan. ... Penn State linebacker Chris Colasanti played with Michigan offensive linemen Zac Ciullo and Jareth Glanda and linebacker Paul Gyarmarti at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. ... Former Penn State All-American Matt Millen will serve as ABC’s color analyst for the game.