Robinson, defense carry Penn State over Badgers

By Mark Beech, SI.com

What We Learned

Tamba Hali (left), Paul Posluszny and the Penn State defense made it a long day for John Stocco, sacking him nine times. AP

Penn State: This Nittany Lions' defense is the kind that wins championships. Penn State was able to put pressure on Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco with just its front four, and the result was three quarters of shutout football. Led by defensive end Tamba Hali, who had four sacks and a school-record seven tackles for loss, the Lions held the Badgers to just 14 points, more than 25 below their season average. Penn State also shut down Brian Calhoun, holding the Heisman candidate running back to just 38 yards. On offense, the Lions were extremely efficient in the first half, scoring on three of their first four possessions. They also ran the ball well behind Tony Hunt, who rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

Wisconsin: The Badgers are a good team, but they are not in the same league as Penn State right now. People forget that Penn State is one second from being undefeated, and Wisconsin is one fumbled snap from having three losses. The Badgers also have big holes on defense. They hit hard, but don't have a dangerous front four -- the strength of last year's team -- so quarterbacks have plenty of time to find open receivers. Still, they did intercept Michael Robinson twice, and they can't be blamed for not scoring more than 14 points. Wisconsin's offensive line was dominated by the Nittany Lions' defensive front. Calhoun ran tough, but he was never able to get around the corner, where he's truly dangerous.

Player Who Impressed Me

Michael Robinson: The senior came into the season unproven, but he's leaving it a star. Robinson, despite throwing two interceptions, was the best player on the field. He completed only 13 of 28 passes, but two of them went for touchdowns, including a 43-yarder on the fifth play of the game. He also ran for 125 yards on 16 carries, and set the school record for total offense in a season. "You take him off our football team," said head coach Joe Paterno, "and I don't think we're anywhere near as good as we are."

Locker Room Confidential

In a sign that Robinson has exceeded expectations this year, quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno was overheard in the tunnel behind the south end zone after the game saying, "Everyone who doubted No. 12 can kiss my ass."

Joe Paterno is looking forward to having an off-week (the Lions play Michigan State on Nov. 19). "I was telling one of my assistants on Friday that I thought we looked a step or two slower than we were in preseason practice," he said after the game. "This is going to be good for us."

There was a full company of riot police out on the field at the end of the game. Later, a unit of mounted officers tried to ride out, but the Penn State players were still coming off the field, and several were nearly trampled (along with a few sportswriters) in the tunnel behind the south end zone.

The Big Picture

This game had a huge impact on the Big Ten title, as Penn State took over sole possession of first place in the conference from Wisconsin. At 6-1, the Nittany Lions are in the driver's seat for their first BCS berth, needing only a victory over Michigan State in East Lansing to punch their ticket. The Badgers are out of the BCS, but with their loyal fan base they're sure to get a bowl invitation of some kind. They have a tough game next Saturday against Iowa and then a road trip to Hawaii on Nov. 25, so it's too early to make a prediction.