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Turn down that Brees Penn State tries to keep Purdue offense in check
Posted: Thursday October 21, 1999 12:43 AM
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Maybe Penn State has Purdue's Drew Brees all figured out: Give him his astronomical passing stats -- just don't let his receivers dash for the end zone after the catch. The strategy worked for the Nittany Lions in 1998, when they didn't allow Brees to complete a pass for more than 19 yards on the way to a 31-13 victory. It worked for Michigan and Ohio State this month. And it could work again Saturday when the No. 2 Lions (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) visit the No. 16 Boilermakers. "He did complete a lot of passes and he did have a lot of yards, but they were a lot of passes that didn't really contribute to the game. That's the big key: Shutting down the big play," said linebacker Mac Morrison, who sustained a concussion during Saturday's victory over Ohio State "Last year we also had a great pass rush, and I think we're going to have to do that again," he said. Brees finished 39-of-58 for 361 yards in that defeat at Penn State, but threw an interception, was sacked six times and only threw one touchdown. Same story this month against the Wolverines and the Buckeyes: Brees threw one TD in two games. Purdue lost both. But the junior is coming off yet another spectacular showing, completing 40 passes for 506 yards and five TDs in the Boilermakers' (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) 52-28 upset of No. 11 Michigan State Saturday. And Penn State's Joe Paterno thinks this is a different Purdue offense from the one he saw last year. "It's better because Drew Brees is better," Paterno said. "They did not play well against Michigan ... and then they hurt themselves against Ohio State with a couple of bad plays. But they were scary against Michigan State, which is a very good defensive football team." What with Brees' quick throws, teams have managed only five sacks. He has four targets averaging 50 yards a game. Chris Daniels had 21 catches for 301 yards Saturday. "From what I've seen, they have the same type of firepower, just more experience," Lions defensive end Justin Kurpeikis said. "They do a lot of three-step drops, get rid of the ball quickly. What you have to do is put pressure on and hope to get some hits on the quarterback." Penn State took some hits in its 23-10 victory over No. 22 Ohio State. Quarterback Kevin Thompson has a separated shoulder, and Paterno doesn't know if he can play Saturday. Thompson was slammed by Buckeyes linebacker Na'il Diggs in the second quarter and did not return. Rashard Casey would get his first start if Thompson doesn't go. The offensive line is also banged up, with John Blick (ankle) questionable and Eric Cole (shoulder) ailing. The Lions insist they aren't worried about a letdown, similar to the ones they've had in the past after beating the Buckeyes. "I don't think this is the type of team that's going to be flat after Ohio State," Morrison said. "I think this Purdue team is better than Ohio State was, anyway, so this is a big game for us."
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