Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/85172
The best and the rest from the Nittany JUDGMENT his assistant coaches stepped off their plane in State College on Tues- day, July 24. He racked up six tack- les, two interceptions, and half a sack. Whether the stat sheet re- flected it or not, Mauti's was one of the most inspired defensive perform- ances in recent memory. PLAY OF THE GAME When Mauti inter- P cepted a pass at the end of the first half and returned it 99 yards. No points for the Illini and complete mo- mentum for the Lions heading into the half. BEST PASS Illinois running back Josh Ferguson took a lateral pass from Nathan Scheelhaase, jet to his right, then lobbed a floater right into the hands of wideout Spencer Harris in the end zone. The play cut Penn State's lead down to 21-7 in the third quarter. WORST PASS Illini wideout Kenny Knight was the target of Scheelhaase late in the third quarter, but Mauti easily read the play, stepped in front, and pulled in his second inter- ception of the afternoon. BEST CATCH Matt McGloin's 21-yard pass to tight end Matt Lehman. Though Illinois defensive back COACHSPEAK VICTORY SPEECH Asked about his first Big Ten victory, Bill O'Brien said, "It's just a Big Ten win. It's a big win. It's something our players re- ally worked hard for and our coaching staff." Steve Manuel S E P T E M B E R 2 9 , 2 0 1 2 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M Earnest Thomas III took a shot straight at Lehman's head, he man- aged to hold onto the ball and score for the Nittany Lions. BEST HIT Illinois returner Tommy Davis botched Penn State's punt re- turn of the game, but by the time Mauti nailed him 42 yards down- LAYER OF THE GAME This game was Michael Mauti's from the mo- ment Tim Beckman and seven of Lions' road win over Illinois CALLS BEST EFFORT Zwinak reeled off the first 100- yard game of his career against the Illini, rou- tinely bowling over defenders in the process. Steve Manuel field, there was no chance for a re- covery. Penn State's Michael Furhman picked up the loose ball, giving the Nittany Lions excellent field position. BEST SACK With the Nittany Lions threatening to score on a fourth-and- 6 midway through the third quarter, Darrius Caldwell and Vontrell Williams pounced on McGloin after he bobbled the snap. The play went for a 13-yard loss. Mauti's 7-yard sack on Scheelhaase the next drive earned an honorable mention nod. BEST EFFORT Zach Zwinak was a mon- ster all afternoon, particularly in the second half as he routinely bowled over Illini defenders. KEY STATISTIC The Nittany Lions' 35 points easily eclipsed their season average of 22, and with 173 yards on the ground, the Lions equalled their season-high rushing total from the Temple game a week ago. – NATE BAUER