Penn State Wins, But Loses Mauti and Lynn
Matt McGloin tossed three touchdown passes while still splitting time at quarterback to lead Penn State (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) to a 34-6 win over Eastern Michigan (2-2, 0-0 MAC). The Nittany Lions held the Eagles, a team who averaged 289 yards rushing coming into the game, to just 68 yards on the ground.
The two-quarterback system was effective for perhaps the first time all season as Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden combined for 335 yards passing. In the competition within the competition, McGloin outdueled Bolden by completing 14 of 17 passes for 220 yards and the three scores, two to senior wide receiver Derek Moye. McGloin and Moye have hooked up for scores eight times in the past two years.
Head coach Joe Paterno, who was on the sideline for the first time all year, was pleased with how both quarterbacks performed.
“I think they both played well,” said Paterno. “I think they threw the ball well. I thought they did some things well. We got in the ball game with the idea that we were going to have to beat an eight-man front most of the day and we're going to have to get the ball down field. So, I think the kids did a good job.”
The Penn State defense forced three first-half turnovers and converted them into 17 points to take a 17-0 lead to the locker room. The Nittany Lions held duel-threat quarterback to just 22 yards rushing, his lowest output of the season. EMU running back Javonti Greene, who averaged 115 yards rushing in the Eagles’ first three games, was limited to just 22 yards on 9 carries.
Despite the defensive dominance, Penn State lost two key players in LB Michael Mauti, the team’s leading tackler, and top cornerback D’Anton Lynn. Coach Paterno said that Mauti would most likely miss the remainder of the season after tearing his anterior crucial ligament. Lynn was carted off the field for precautionary reasons, but was able to move his extremities.
“It’s tough to lose guys like that, but we have good guys that will step up in line and perform,” said Bolden.
Senior Nate Stupar, who will most likely see significantly more playing time with the injury to Mauti, had a game-high seven tackles, three for a loss, and added a sack.
In the second half, Joe Paterno returned to the press box and witnessed him team jump out to a 31-0 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. Just over a minute into the second half, Bolden found Devon Smith on a five-yard crossing pattern. Smith turned the corner, received a key block from Moye downfield and turned it into the 71-yard touchdown to dampen all hopes of an Eastern Michigan comeback.
The big play by Smith skewed Bolden’s numbers, but there was no doubt that Matt McGloin was the more efficient passer of the two. Not only did he have a better game statistically, but the offense seemed to truly click with McGloin under center scoring touchdowns in three of his his drives. On the only drive in which McGloin did not orchestrate a scoring drive, Justin Cudworth forced a Michael Zordich fumble at the goal line resulting in a touchback and a turnover.
Heading into Big Ten play, the Nittany Lions may have found their starting quarterback at Indiana next week. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m. ComRadio will have complete coverage live from Bloomington starting at 11:00 a.m.
Dave Walkovic is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, e-mail dpw5046@psu.edu.
