The No. 20 Badgers return home to Camp Randall to host Penn State (2-1) for both teams' first Big Ten conference game. Although the Badgers are off to a promising 3-0 season, the talented and youthful Nittany Lions are determined to return to Big Ten prominence.
The Nittany Lions are coming off their worst season in history, but are using the disappointing 2003 to fuel a more successful 2004 season. Although the 2004 Nittany Lions are one of Coach Joe Paterno's youngest teams with only 13 seniors on the roster, the squad is led by players with incredible skill and experience. Penn State's captains, senior quarterback Zack Mills and senior linebacker Derek Wake are great leaders for the team to follow.
Paterno is optimistic about his team's direction and said he believes the 2003 season resulted from a young team that simply needed time to build up its strengths. That time is now for the Nittany Lions, as their developed talent begins to shine and shows sign of improvement in their 2004 season.
Last Saturday, sophomore running back Tony Hunt rushed for three touchdowns, leading Penn State to a 37-13 victory over the University of Central Florida. However, rushing may prove difficult for Hunt when faced with the Badgers' tough and experienced defensive line. Wisconsin's defense has allowed only one touchdown, a total of 16 yards and ranks among the top 15 nationally in the four primary team defensive statistical categories.
Mills had a tough game against UCF, with four fumbles and two interceptions. Despite his dismal performance, he became Penn State's career passing yardage leader, surpassing Tony Sacca. He broke the record with a 20-yard pass to senior running back Paul Jefferson in the second quarter, and ended the game with a career-high 6,081 passing yards. Nonetheless, Mills has Paterno's full support.
\Let's get off of Zack,"" Paterno said in a press conference Monday. ""Zack is playing good, solid football. ... I could get in here and start pointing fingers at the center, quarterback exchange and the whole bit. I think they are doing fine. They are fine. Zack is fine.""
The Nittany Lions' talent has improved tremendously. Penn State's defense had its best effort of the season against UCF, limiting the Golden Knights to a pair of field goals and 11 first downs. Despite Penn State's six turnovers, the defense allowed only three points off the mistakes. Not to mention they only allowed 181 yards to UCF, the fewest yards allowed by the Lions since allowing 167 yards to Louisiana Tech in 2000.
The Nittany Lions have turned the ball over 11 times in the last two games, with five at Boston College and six against UCF. Faced with the Badgers' tough squad, Penn State needs to tighten its offensive game, because it will not be as lucky as it was against UCF. Also against the Lions' favor is under Barry Alvarez, the Badgers are 20-2 when they are ranked and their opponent is not.
""They are a good, solid all-around football team,"" Paterno said. ""Hopefully, we are going to get a little better and hopefully hang onto the football ... I just think that we have to tighten up our ship a little bit and protect the ball. We need to be consistent and not do any dumb things and play a good, hard and tough football game against a good, tough football team.\
