What the Nation Learned in West Lafeyette

Penn State's namesake, "Linebacker U" somewhat overshadows the prodigious group of running backs who have lined up in the Nittany Lion backfield through the years.

John Cappelletti. Tony Hunt. Ki-Jana Carter. Curt Warner. Blair Thomas. Charlie Pittman. The list goes on and on...

..and now includes Evan Royster. Purdue played a conservative two-deep scheme on Saturday, refusing to let Penn State's speedy wide receivers behind the defense. The expanded zones, coupled with the defensive linemen playing contain on Daryll Clark, gave Royster an OPPORTUNITY.

Notice the phraseology. An eager, anxious, overzealous, impatient (and all words in-between) running back would have fallen trap to bunched formations and gap-controlled linebackers. But Royster showed off another one of his dynamic traits against the Boilermakers, placing his left hand on the back of a pulling guard and recognizing a hole before hitting it hard.

There is a fine line between tentative and aware. Royster walked the tight rope with great success, recognizing the defensive scheme and using his blockers to his advantage instead of out-running or just plain not using them at all.

The Nittany Lions averaged 5.1 yards per rush, and Royster lost just two yards on 18 total carries. That's the stat line of a smart, judicious runner, a back who realizes his limitations when the big play isn't there.

And that's saying something for a running back who averaged 7.8 yards per carry with a long run of 26 yards. He consistently churned out six, seven and eight-yard carries, plodding behind his big beef up front while avoiding the temptation to BOUNCE a designed inside run to the outside.

Purdue's scheme stuck out the bait, and Royster didn't bite.

That's the sign of maturity. It's the sign of a rapidly growing young man who understands the offense, his role in the game plan and who heaps a tremendous amount of respect on Penn State's best offensive line since 1994.

The defense shined, especially in the secondary against a solid veteran signal-caller in Curtis Painter. Clark was solid, if not spectacular, while again proving that he flees the pocket to pass first, run second.

Yet, the story was in the backfield. And it was a fairy-tale ending.
-----------------------

DON'T FORGET TO PURCHASE JARED TREXLER'S NEW PENN STATE BOOK. IT IS THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR ANY PENN STATE FAN. SUPPORT THE UNBEATEN NITTANY LIONS AND THON AS WE CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR A CANCER CURE.