Penn State gets first tough test

— People keep asking the Penn State Nittany Lions if they want revenge against Iowa.

The players followed Coach Joe Paterno's lead, insisting that tonight's reunion with the Hawkeyes won't be a grudge match - even if Iowa did ruin Penn State's national title hopes last season with a stunning, last-second victory.

Players on both sides say they have forgotten about last year's thriller, though the memories have come flooding back in advance of tonight's game between Iowa and No. 5 Penn State, both 3-0.

On Nov. 8, 2008, the Hawkeyes, then 5-4, celebrated on a cold, blustery evening in Iowa City after Daniel Murray's 31-yard field goal with a second left gave them a 24-23 victory over then-unbeaten and thirdranked Penn State.

Joe Paterno's shot at a third career national title disappeared.

"They played a good football game and they beat us," Paterno said.

Nittany Lions quarterback Daryll Clark is still bothered by his nightmarish performance that day, when he completed 9 of 23 for just 86 yards with one crucial interception late in the fourth quarter deep in Iowa territory.

"It's my responsibility to put it in the past because it happened last year," said Clark, who has thrown for 760 yards and eight touchdowns this season. "Now I have another opportunity to win a game."

Iowa hasn't lost since, winners of seven consecutive stretching into 2009. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi became a household name in Iowa City after helping to lead the late drive that set up Murray'sgame-winning kick.

"We had to play together as a team, and after that game was over we kind of put it to rest," Stanzi said.

The injury report has become just as important as the stat sheet heading into the Big Ten opener for both squads. The Hawkeyes likely will be without left tackle Bryan Bulaga (undisclosed illness), and Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said at midweek he doesn't see Bulaga being ready by today.

That could spell trouble against one of the Big Ten's best defensive lines. Tackle Jared Odrick, who has two sacks, often needs to be double-teamed to be contained up the middle, leaving potential pass-rush lanes vulnerable elsewhere along the line.

Iowa tight end Tony Moeaki (leg) and wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (hamstring) were also day to day.

"Last year was a little more stable," Ferentz said when asked how the injuries have affected the offense's rhythm. "Right now, we're just waiting to see who shows up everyday."

For Penn State, Paterno has said leading tackler and team captain Sean Lee is doubtful after spraining his left knee during last week's victory over Temple.

Fellow standout Navorro Bowman will play after missing most of the first three games with a right groin injury. But Nathan Stupar, a top backup who had been filling in for Bowman, sprained an ankle this week and may not be ready.

Already without promising sophomore Michael Mauti because of a season-ending right knee injury in preseason, the linebacker depth that was considered a strength coming into the year will be put to the test. Middle linebacker Josh Hull, the only one of the three starting linebackers this season who hasn't been hurt, will be relied on more heavily.

"He's got to be the leader, when I don't think he expected that he would have that kind of responsibility with Lee and Bowman around," Paterno said.

Sports, Pages 24 on 09/26/2009

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