As Penn State (3-1 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) marches into Camp Randall the Nittany Lions will be surrounded by an unfamiliar sight: 78,000-plus roaring fans, head-to-toe in red, cheering against them. Saturday's matchup with Wisconsin (5-0 overall) will mark the first time the Nittany Lions have played away from College Park this season.
However, do not expect Penn State to be a doormat for the Badgers to step all over. Penn State comes into this game against UW looking to avenge an overtime defeat against Iowa last weekend in its Big Ten opener. As Penn State proved in the second half of its Big Ten opener, Penn State's offense can be as prolific as any offense in the country.
\They spread you out but yet they're going to get in their two back [formation] and run the football and protect their quarterback,"" UW defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. ""The whole key is that they execute their offense well.""
With an extremely balanced offensive attack, the Nittany Lions are anchored by sophomore quarterback Zach Mills. Mills comes into Saturday's game with the most total yards per game (274.5), second best completion percentage (59.5) and second best quarterback rating (149.5) in the Big Ten.
Saturday, Mills showed how easily he can take over a game as he threw for 399 yards on 23 of 44 passes with four touchdowns.
Mills has the unique ability to be an effective drop back passer as well as a quarterback with great scrambling ability. These combined talents have allowed him to lead the Big Ten in total yards per game.
""[Mills'] knowledge of the game is incredible,"" UW senior linebacker Jeff Mack said. ""He knows where to throw the ball and he knows what to do with the ball. If he doesn't have anybody open he is not going to make bad decisions with the ball. We have to prevent the running lanes for him, get a lot of pressure on him and get him off track.""
Aiding Mills in the passing attack are wide receivers senior Bryant Jouhnson and junior Tony Johnson. Bryant Johnson has been able to use a unique combination of height and quickness to lead the Nittany Lions this season with 24 receptions for 440 yards and two touchdowns.
""Bryant Johnson is a huge receiver,"" sophomore cornerback Scott Starks said. ""He is big, very physical and athletic. He's a great receiver and we are going to have to keep him contained.""
Also a primary target of Mills is Bryant's brother, junior Tony Johnson. Tony has played in the shadow of his brother in his first three years at Penn State, but has made a name for himself this season as he is second on the team in receiving yards with 238 on 13 receptions and two touchdowns.
Rounding out the Nittany Lion offensive attack is senior tailback Larry Johnson. He saw most of his playing time on special teams his first three seasons at Penn State but has emerged as one of the top running backs in the Big Ten this season. Averaging an impressive six yards per carry, Johnson has rushed for 446 yards and five touchdowns to start the 2002 season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Nittany Lions are led by senior defensive end Micheal Hayes and senior free safety Shawn Mayer. Hayes leads Penn State with an impressive 5.5 sacks this season along with 20 tackles and a fumble recovery. Mayer has been the solidifying force in the Nittany Lions' secondary as he has two interceptions to go along with his team leading 40 tackles.
""Defensively, they are physical,"" Wisconsin Head Coach Barry Alvarez said. ""I said that a year ago. Their defensive line, I thought, was probably one of the better ones that we've played. These are the same guys. They are big guys that run very well. That makes a talented defense.\
