Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/219756
Let's give Bill O'Brien his due. He had Wisconsin's defense confused all game. Great job. psufanatic03 Gotta give John Butler and the defense credit. I've been criticizing his schemes all year. We may have had some help from Joel Stave and the Badger coaches today, but Butler deserves credit for a well-played defensive scheme and FROM plan. rickbcnto THE WEB Steve Manuel CAUSING A SCENE Bell pressured the quarterback into throwing an interception in the third quarter. JUST GETTING STARTED Brandon Bell makes a splash during first career start M AT T H E R B | matt@bluewhiteonline.com MADISON, Wis. - Brandon Bell found out early last week that he was about to get his first career start in Penn State's season finale against Wisconsin. Coming off an impressive performance against Nebraska, in which he finished with six tackles and forced a fumble, he was approached by linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden. "Coach Vandy said at the start of practice, 'You're taking first-team reps, " Bell ' explained. "I just took it from there and kept going with it all week. "I was excited," he added. "It was my first collegiate start. I was excited, a little bit nervous, a few butterflies in the stomach. But it's all good." A true freshman from Mays Landing, N.J., Bell finished second on the team with six tackles against the Badgers and made one of the biggest plays of the game, separating quarterback Joel Stave from the ball on a third-quarter pass attempt and forcing a turnover – it was ruled an interception, not a fumble – n o V e m b e R that C.J. Olaniyan returned 33 yards to set up a Penn State field goal. "It was just a great call by Coach [John] Butler," Bell said. "He called my number and I came off the edge, beat the fullback and knocked the ball out. " Heading into the game, Bell said he got plenty of help from fellow linebackers Mike Hulland Glenn Carson. "Those guys are the epitome of what we do here, " he said. "Every play, they're what you want to do. They're always an example to look off of, especially on film. " Bell finished his debut season with 24 tackles in nine games. With the Lions ineligible for a bowl game this year, he said the Wisconsin game will serve as a springboard into the off-season – not just for him, but for the team. "Coach [Bill] O'Brien spoke on that, he " said. "He said that for the guys who are coming back, this is a big game, just as it is for the seniors who are leaving. So it's definitely a push into the off-season to get it started. " 3 0 , 2 0 1 3 10 Brandon Bell is making me feel better about the linebackers next year! slip152R online Reaction to PSu'S lateSt Game Glad to see that the seniors go out as winners. ngdiver Used the tight ends well today. Adam Breneman is really developing, and all three come back next year. hohmadw Hopefully today served as a preview of what Christian Hackenberg's talent brings to the table. He has size, arm strength, accuracy on the rise, and can run when necessary. ... He will shatter most Penn State records, even if departs for Sundays after his first three years here. ryanz So much for thos Wisconsin 6-foot6, 330-pound linemen vs. Coach Larry Johnson's defensive line. We had pressure on Stave all day. Even when we didn't get to him he was feeling the heat. bohucon Hackenberg should be a shoe-in for Big Ten Offensive Player of the year. That will also be nice publicity heading into the recruiting home stretch. WestSideLion b l u e w h i t e o n l i n e . c o m