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Men of the Sacred Heart gather monthly

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<p>The most memorable thing about Penn State&#8217;s last game in West Lafayette is that it ended.</p><p>A dreary and rainy November afternoon saw Purdue take a 3-0 lead before Bill O&#8217;Brien&#8217;s Nittany Lions ran off 34 straight points. The Boilermakers threw a a touchdown on the final play of the game.</p><p>Head ref Dennis Lipski had mercy on the few thousand people who stuck around to watch the Boilers&#8217; lone trip to the end zone. He waved off a meaningless extra point attempt by getting on the mic and declaring, &#8220;The game is over.&#8221;</p><p>Four years later, Penn State has a new coach. The Boilers are now onto their second after Danny Hope, firing the ineffective Darrell Hazell two weeks ago.</p><p>It will be interesting to see how Purdue is greeted in the first home game since dumping Hazell and naming receivers coach Gerad Parker the interim boss.</p><p>If nothing else, Purdue promises to bring some entertainment value under a coach who has little to no chance of getting the job full-time and is liable to call just about anything. In his first game leading the Boilers last week at Nebraska, he called for a fake punt and went for it on fourth down four times.</p><p>More trick plays surely await the Lions on what is forecast to be a shockingly warm Saturday, with temperatures in the 70s for most of the game.</p><p>It would be far less surprising if the Lions come out sluggish for a noon kick in one of the Big Ten&#8217;s most unappealing venues after everything they went through last weekend.</p><p>Penn State, of course, has lost its only other two games away from Happy Valley, allowing 91 points in losses to Pitt and Michigan. This one should play out differently.</p><p>Here&#8217;s a look at how it all breaks down.<hr/><table style="width: 100%;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/purdue-11-.gif" height="113" width="150"/></td><td style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"></p><p><strong>No. 24 PENN STATE (5-2, 3-1)</strong></p><p><strong>at PURDUE (3-4, 1-3)</strong></p><p>Noon, Saturday, ABC</td><td><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>QUARTERBACK</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>David Blough leads the Big Ten in passing yards (2,065) and his 14 touchdowns are tied for second behind only Ohio State&#8217;s J.T. Barrett. But the strong-armed sophomore from Texas also leads the conference in interceptions with an alarming 11. That&#8217;s one of the biggest positives for Trace McSorley right now, as his three picks are second-fewest among Big Ten starters. He performance against the Buckeyes was far better than that unsightly 8-for-23 line would suggest, and he&#8217;s still improving. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>RUNNING BACK</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Saquon Barkley hasn&#8217;t always been an unstoppable force this season, but he still finished just a yard short of 100 yards against an excellent Ohio State defense. Against a Purdue run defense that ranks way down at No. 121 in the country at a shade under 250 yards allowed per game, Barkley should feast. Purdue throws the ball more than anyone else in the Big Ten, so sophomore tailback Markell Jones hasn&#8217;t had much opportunity to distinguish himself. Jones is a decent receiver who has 18 catches. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>RECEIVER</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Speaking of which, the Boilers have six different players who have recorded 15 or more receptions. But the man still at the top of the list, Domonique Young, looks to be out long term with a serious knee injury. The Lions still must be wary of DeAngelo Yancey, who burned Nebraska last week for two TDs. The Lions wideouts could have their first big game in awhile after a tough test from Ohio State and a Maryland game in which they weren&#8217;t needed. There is a size advantage on Purdue&#8217;s corners. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>OFFENSIVE LINE</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>This is one of the closest battles as Purdue has done very well in pass protection, allowing just 11 sacks in seven games despite dropping back more than anyone else in the league. Right guard Jordan Roos is having a strong season in particular. Despite losing Andrew Nelson, the Lions O-line largely broke even against Ohio State, which is a big boost of confidence. Brendan Mahon continued his impressive play even after the move from left tackle to right. Paris Palmer still has some work to do. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>DEFENSIVE LINE</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>With former PSU guru Larry Johnson on the opposite sideline, Sean Spencer&#8217;s group was one of the very biggest factors in the upset last week. Garrett Sickels was possessed on his return from a first-half suspension and the six sacks recorded on J.T. Barrett were more than the Buckeyes had allowed in the first six games combined. The Boilers are holding their breath on star DT Jake Replogle, who has missed the last two games while recovering from a concussion. He&#8217;s likely a game-time decision. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>LINEBACKER</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Forget the gaudy tackle numbers. Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda&#8217;s value to the defense goes well beyond the 20 stops they combined for last week. They play a big role in getting the defensive line in the right spots, and their experience allows Brent Pry to change calls on the fly to counter when the offense checks to a different play. If those two can stay healthy, the Lions defense becomes much more formidable. The versatile Markus Bailey leads Purdue in tackles as well as pass break-ups while adding an INT. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>SECONDARY</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>No one has bothered to throw all that much on Penn State &#8212; the run game was too effective when the Lions were hemorrhaging linebackers &#8212; but that changed when Ohio State felt compelled to throw 43 times and dropped back to pass more than 50. Purdue will put the defensive backs to the test and should be more effective on deep throws than the Buckeyes. The Lions will be on alert. A function of less-than-stellar quarterback play in the Big Ten, both teams are top 25 nationally in pass defense. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>SPECIAL TEAMS</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Until last week, Charles Huff&#8217;s Nekton Era had been pretty forgettable. Turns out PSU was just saving its biggest moment for the best possible time, turning an awful special teams night into a historic one. A blocked punt and a blocked kick gave the Lions 10 fourth-quarter points to make the upset possible. There are still issues &#8212; a shaky hold on Tyler Davis&#8217; first misfire, a John Reid fumble and a rare Ty Yazujian mistake on a snap that became a safety. But things are looking up here for the Lions. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>PREDICTION</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Well, that&#8217;s certainly a lot of helmets in one column. Despite Penn State having mostly narrow edges all over the field, these still young Nittany Lions have to prove their mettle on the road. Though they have been bracing against a letdown in practice all week, it&#8217;s going to be only natural that this game doesn&#8217;t turn into a blowout from the first quarter on. It&#8217;s likely that Purdue breaks out some exotic plays and enough wrinkles to keep things interesting. But it won&#8217;t be enough to beat the Lions. <strong>PENN STATE 31, PURDUE 21.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Derek Levarse</p><p>dlevarse@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Prediction time: Penn State vs. Purdue breakdown