Alabama Rode the Rising Tide of Sthe Flooding Susquehanna Through Central Pennsylvania Saturday and Left with a Convincing 27-11 Triumph Over the No
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URL:http://www.alumni.psu.edu/fbl Username: psualum Password: weare Sept. 12, 2011 * Vol. 74, No. 2 econd-ranked Alabama rode the rising tide of Sthe flooding Susquehanna through Central Pennsylvania Saturday and left with a convincing 27-11 triumph over the No. 20 Nittany Lions, who appeared to be water-logged after a practice week filled with rain. While the Crimson Tide rolled with the precision of a tsunami, Penn State seemed to slog along just a step slower and a tad softer than the visitors, who invaded the Lions’ lair for the first time since 1989, but emerged with the same result – a win over their northern foe. Twenty-two years ago it was the long right arm of 6-foot 7-inch Thomas Rayam that prevented Ray Tarasi from converting his fourth field goal of the day and saving a 17-16 victory for No. 6 Alabama over No. 14 Penn State. Saturday it was the crisp passing of A.J. McCarron and power running of Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy, coupled with the overpowering play of the Tide defense that squelched any hope of an upset by the home team. The performance before a capacity red- BARRY KRAUSE was not here to stop this fourth quarter touchdown dive by Lion tailback Silas Redd. polka-dotted Whiteout and a national television audience left little doubt that Alabama will be ago with the unwavering American spirit that the Alabama’s massive and experienced lines contending for another national title this fall, terrorists were unable to break, the band brought won the battle in the trenches. The offensive while Penn State will have to settle for battling the crowd to its collective feet singing God Bless line, which averaged 6-4 and 305 pounds and favorites Wisconsin, Nebraska and Ohio State America, while the marchers formed an American boasted 11 letters, opened holes for Richardson in the annual Big Ten race. (Ironically those are Eagle. The formation then morphed into NYC, a to run for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while the last three opponents on the Nittany Lions’ pentagon and a keystone, then USA and finally Lacy added 85 more yards in just 11 carries. They 2011 schedule.) a solid front moving relentlessly forward to the also provided perfect protection for sophomore The crowd of 107,846 was the largest ever to blaring strains of Stars and Stripes Forever, while quarterback A.J. McCarron to complete 19 of watch an Alabama team play, as the Tide ended flag-twirlers stretched out broad red, white and 31 passes for 163 yards and another TD. The the nation’s second longest home win streak blue ribbons to the American Flag held by bands- first-year starter was careful and patient with the against non-conference opponents at 23. men in the rear. football and made no mistakes. Thousands of ‘Bama fans braved the heavy None of the Penn State coaches were happy ‘Bama’s defensive line, which averaged 6-3, rains of the region on their trek to a Beaver about the Nittany Lions’ performance, pointing 305 pounds and two letters apiece, and the seven Stadium that had grown by more than 20,000 out that on both offense and defense they had returning starters among the linebackers and seats, including the suites and Mt. Nittany Club, failed to capitalize on opportunities and did not defensive backs, made the Lions fight hard for since their last venture north. They appreciated make any big plays like Alabama did. every one of their 251 yards – 108 less than the the fact that the rain clouds moved out quickly The Lions suffered three turnovers but could Tide rolled up. Saturday morning and by the time of the 3:37 squeeze none out of the Tide. Fumbles by Andrew The visitors also appeared to catch a break kickoff the heat and humidity made them feel Szczerba and Devon Smith at midfield and the on a fake punt run that kept alive their first more like they were in Tuscaloosa. Alabama 34-yard line, not only ended offensive touchdown drive. After Penn State’s offense The Penn State fans likewise made them feel threats by the home team, but set up touchdown scored three points on its opening possession, at home, returning the hospitality that had been drives by the visitors. ‘Bama’s All-American safety the defense got a three-and-out on‘Bama’s first shown to the Nittany Lion faithful who ventured Mark Barron picked off a Rob Bolden pass at possession and seemed to have its second one south last September for a Bryant-Denny Stadium the UA-6 to kill another PS threat, while Lion stopped with a Tide 4th & 1 at the UA-40. Coach experience. ‘Bama backers enjoyed the tailgate defenders narrowly missed three potential game- Nick Saban called for a fake punt, and Lion line- experience that Penn Staters like to think is changing interceptions. backers Rich Mauti and Glenn Carson appeared the best in the land, as well as the Blue Band’s In between State’s game-opening 16-play 54- to stop the runner short of the first down marker. TailGreat show in the Bryce Jordan Center. yard drive to a 43-yard field goal by Evan Lewis A very generous spot by the head linesman, how- And everyone in the BJC and Beaver Stadium and its game-closing drive of 71 yards in 14 plays ever, gave ‘Bama a momentum-changing first appreciated the solemn yet uplifting halftime to Silas Redd’s one-yard touchdown dive, the down by one inch. show designed and directed by Blue Band Assis- contest was controlled by the Tide. Three plays later McCarron sailed a long pass tant Director Greg Drayne. Combining reverent that Lion safety Nick Sukay missed by another remembrance of the 9/11 victims of a decade PENN STATE 3 0 0 8 11 inch, and the Tide’s Marquis Maze made a circus ALABAMA 7 10 3 7 27 Photos by Steve Manuel ’84, ‘92g R E C A P 1st Quarter PS: Lewis 43-yd FG caps 16-pl 54-yd drive in 7:26 keyed by Bolden 15-yd pass to Brown on 3rd & 8, Redd 8-yd run on 3rd & 6 & Bolden 1-yd run on 4th & 1. 7:34 AL: Williams 5-yd pass from McCarron caps 11-pl 69- yd drive in 4:56 keyed by Smelley 1-yd fake punt run on 4th & 1 & McCarron 29-yd pass to Maze on 3rd & 6 & McCarron 14-yd pass to Bell. (Shelley kick) 0:25 2nd Quarter AL: Shelley 22-yd FG caps 10-pl 52-yd drive in 4:45 keyed by Lacy 5-yd run on 3rd & 1 & Richardson 22-yd run. 10:08 AL: Richardson 3-yd run caps 10-pl 50-yd drive in 1 2 4:11 set up by Menzie rec. of Szczerba fum. & keyed by McCarron passes 6 yds to Norwood on 3rd & 3, 6 yds to Richardson on 3rd & 1 & 12 yds to Norwood on 3rd & 3. (Shelley kick) 0:35 3rd Quarter AL: Shelley 18-yd FG caps 11-pl 50-yd drive in 5:12 keyed by McCarron passes 7 yds to Norwood on 3rd & 7 & 24 yds to Williams. 4th Quarter AL: Richardson 13-yd run caps 5-pl 65-yd drive in 2:22 set up by Barron rec. of Smith fum. & keyed by Lacy 30-yd run. (Shelley kick) 6:14 9 10 PS: Redd 1-yd dive caps 14-pl 71-yd drive in 4:16 sparked by Bolden 15-yd run, Redd 2-yd run on 3rd 1: JUSTIN BROWN makes first down catch in first quarter. & 1 & Bolden passes 12 yds to Robinson, 12 yds to 2: QUARTERBACK Rob Bolden takes snap and hands off to Silas Moye & 26 yds to Kersey. (Bolden run) 1:53 Redd (25) who follows blocks of Quinn Barham (67), Johnnie Troutman (74), DeOn’tae Pannell (50) and Matt Stankiewitch (54) Attendance: 107,846 and gains eight yards on longest run of the day. 3: SHAWNEY KERSEY hauls in 26-yard pass from Rob Bolden to set up catch for a 29-yard gain – the game’s longest State’s fourth quarter touchdown from one-yard line. 4: EVAN through the air. McCarron then hit Kenny Bell LEWIS kicks 43-yard field goal for game’s first points, as Kevin on a 14-yard crossing route, and finally threaded Haplea (10) protects. 5: LINEBACKERS Gerald Hodges (6) and the needle to tight end Michael Williams be- Nate Stupar (34) wrestle Richardson to ground. 6: FRESHMAN tween two Lion defenders in the end zone for linebacker9 Mike Hull breaks up pass intended for Tide tight the visitors’ first points. end Brad Smelley. 7: NATE STUPAR almost blocks Alabama Saban said after the contest, “Penn State is punt. 8: DEREK MOYE catches this one for long gain. 9: JUNIOR a much better team than they were a year ago.” TAILBACK Brandon Beachum cuts through hole made by Matt Comparative scores would indicate about Stankiewitch (54), DeOn’tae Pannell (50) and Johnnie Troutman five points better – although maybe more, (74). 10: RED POLKA DOTS accentuated the Whiteout in Beaver because Alabama seemed to ease up in Tusca- Stadium Saturday. loosa last year, when they probably could have scored more. Saban said, “Special teams and turnovers were a big factor in the game.” While the Lions could manage only 13.5 yards on six kickoff returns and 12 on two punt returns, Maze broke off a 44-yard punt return that set up one of ‘Bama’s two-field goal drives.