PSU’s Johnson Runs Wild

Scott Berman: Sports Writer

Entering the season, Penn State’s Larry Johnson wasn’t even thought of as one of the best backs in the Big Ten. Now he is receiving accolades as one of the best backs in the country.

Suddenly, the senior is being mentioned as one of the latest members of the ever-revolving Heisman candidate pool after Johnson was named Big Ten offensive player of the week for the third time this season.

Johnson turned in one of the best performances of the season by tearing up the Indiana defense to the tune of 327 yards on 27 carries. The senior accounted for five touchdowns on the day.

The 300-yard-plus performance was enough to set the all-time single-game rushing record for Penn State. It is the third time he has broken the record this season, and it makes him the first back since Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne to reach the 300-yard mark in a game. Dayne accomplished this feat in his freshman year, rushing for a league-record 339 yards against Hawaii.

“Larry is a great player who has worked very hard to get to this point,” Penn State head coach Joe Paterno said. “He had a brilliant game and was on another level out there.”

With his performance Saturday, Johnson also broke Penn State’s all-time rushing record for a single season with 1,736 yards, clearly placing him amongst the best Penn State backs of all time.

“I am always reluctant to say this guy is better than that guy or that guy is better than that guy and that kind of stuff, because I don’t feel that is fair to anybody, because what you give to one you take away from the others,” Paterno said.

“Certainly, Larry Johnson is up there in the very top, not only of Penn State running backs but I think of running backs that have played college football in the last 30 to 35 years that I have watched.”

The big day also vaulted Johnson all the way to the second spot in the nation in rushing and a possible trip to New York in December.

A Chance of a Lifetime awaits Buckeyes

The Buckeyes may not look pretty. They may not win pretty, but they are sitting at 12-0 and a game a way from a spot in the national championship game. Two weeks ago, the Buckeyes converted a fourth-and-one situation to score a touchdown to slip past Purdue. Last weekend, OSU was taken to overtime by the Fighting Illini. The Buckeyes prevailed and saved their chance for a national championship, but only after Walter Young had a fortunate drop in the end zone for the Illini.

“This team finds ways to win football games,” Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel said. “Each Big Ten football game is a battle and comes down to a few key plays, and our kids continue to make them.”

However, to get to the Fiesta Bowl, the Buckeyes must overcome their demons and beat a Michigan team that has been OSU’s nemesis. The Wolverines have dominated the series in the last decade and would love nothing more than to ruin the Buckeyes’ magical season.

“Michigan-Ohio State is a great rivalry,” Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr said. “It should be a great game, played with great intensity and emotion.”

Iowa gains at least a share of Big Ten title

The Hawkeyes finished their Big Ten season in style with a blowout of the Gophers. The win capped off a perfect run through Big Ten play and virtually assured the Hawkeyes a BCS bowl bid. Currently, it appears Iowa is in line for a Rose Bowl berth regardless of the Ohio State result this weekend.

“I could not be prouder of a group of guys than I am of this team,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “It has been a special season made possible by everybody coming together and working extremely hard.”

The Hawkeyes sit at seventh in the BCS standings and will need a minor miracle to sneak into the vaunted top-two spots and play for the national title. Their only advantage will be that they have completed the season and do not have to worry about a possible late-season upset.

“The teams in front of us have games left to be played,” Iowa quarterback Brad Banks said. “We just have to wait to see how things play out.”

If Ohio State can beat Michigan Saturday, they, along with Iowa, will mark the first time in 59 years that two Big Ten teams have gone undefeated in the Big Ten conference. The last time the feat was accomplished was when Michigan and Purdue shared the honor in 1943.