Paterno, Lions Finally Can Roar Long-awaited Win Allows Psu Coach To Tie `bear’

By JERRY KELLAR [email protected]
Sunday, October 21, 2001 Page: 1C

EVANSTON, Ill. – Some of them celebrated like kids making their first trip
to Disney. Others knelt silently in prayer.

Whatever the emotion, Penn State’s football team, after two of the toughest
months imaginable, became winners again.
And it sure felt good.

“Once you win, you forget all the hard times,” senior linebacker Shamar
Finney said. “We’ve been humbled by those last four losses. But we can’t live
in the past anymore.

“I’m just so thankful.”

To no one’s surprise, Saturday’s emotionally draining 38-35 victory over
Northwestern – an outcome that gave coach Joe Paterno his 323rd win, tying him
with Paul “Bear” Bryant on the Division I all-time list – didn’t come
easily. Trailing by four, the Nittany Lions needed a last-ditch 13-play,

finish the job.

Coming in cold after starter Matt Senneca got knocked woozy on a blitz, all
Mills did was complete 5-of-8 passes for 54 yards – the clincher a 4-yard toss
to Eric McCoo.

“He’s a very cool, very poised, smart kid,” Paterno said of Mills, who
many believed played himself into the starting role even before this game.
“He’s a very unusual kid. He’s going to be good.”

Penn State’s defense, which was burned by Northwestern’s frisky, no-huddle
offense all day long, was then forced to hold off the potent Wildcats for the
final, seemingly interminable 22 seconds.

The game ended with two players battling for their respective teams’ lives
at the Penn State 38.

“I never thought the game was gonna end,” senior offensive tackle Gus
Felder said. “I knew the defense was going to come up with a play, I just
didn’t know when.”

Finney needed to be reassured the game was indeed over, even with the clock
showing 0:00.

“I checked, then double-checked,” he said through a grin.

Lost in the commotion and emotion of the thrilling finish was the enormous
weight that had been lifted off Paterno’s shoulders. After being congratulated
by hordes of fans and several of his players, the 74-year-old coach was
whisked to the media room, where he tried his darndest to downplay the record
and direct the attention to his team.

“Sure, it means a lot,” he said of the milestone. “This is one of the
really good (wins), and one of the most important ones.”

To be sure, the last two seasons have taken their toll on Paterno, who has
been criticized for staying in a game that some say has passed him by. That is
why Saturday’s victory means so much.

After endless hours of preaching and cajoling, his Lions finally are
starting to believe.

“I’m just excited for this football team,” Paterno said. “I have felt
and tried to convince them they could be a really good football team. This
gives them a good feeling about themselves.

“To walk away from this place without a win ... it would’ve been very
hard.”

Tired of getting pushed around, the Lions simply refused to give at Ryan
Field.

After Senneca’s 1-yard blast in the waning moments of the third quarter
tied the score at 28, the Lions took the lead – their first of the season –
with 3:36 left in the fourth, courtesy of freshman Robbie Gould’s 24-yard
field goal.

Northwestern quarterback Zak Kustok (23-of-40, 298 yards, TD) was more than
equal to the task, moving his team 58 yards in just 1:33. His 39-yard scamper
put the ball at the 1, and Kustok slammed his way in the very next play.

“I just do whatever I have to do,” he said.

After the kickoff, Penn State got to its 48 before Senneca was drilled by
defensive end Napoleon Harris.

In came Mills, who immediately found Omar Easy for 9 yards to the NU 43.

From there, Mills methodically guided the Lions closer, hitting Bryant
Johnson on third-and-10 for 13 yards to the 4.

One play later, the rally was complete.

“His confidence level is so high, that’s what makes him so good,” Felder
said of Mills.

Paterno made sure to credit Senneca (20-39, 234, TD), who also played well.
“I have a lot of confidence in Zack,” said Paterno, “but let’s not take
anything away from Matt. Matt was playing so well, I didn’t put (Mills) in
earlier.”

For as well as they played in the first half (the Lions trailed by just
seven at halftime) things could have been even better were it not for a few
plays.

One example was a running-into-the-punter flag that nullified a 19-yard
return by Bruce Branch to midfield in the second quarter. Given a second
chance, Wildcat punter J.J. Standring boomed the do-over 53 yards, backing
State up at its 11 – a difference of almost 40 yards in field position.

The Lions failed to gain a first down, and Northwestern took over at its

yards) and the Wildcats grabbed a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter.

The drive was aided by an interference call on Branch near the goal line.

Penn State blew another opportunity for a big play late in the half, when
Branch had a potential interception and long return slam off his hands and
shoulder pads. It was precisely the kind of game-turning play Paterno has been
searching for, but hasn’t gotten, all season.

As it was, the Lions were within seven at the break, thanks to a pair of
scores by McCoo – a 16-yard reception, and a gritty 7-yard run.

Kustok kept his team in the lead with an on-the-money 44-yard strike to
wide out Sam Simmons with 2:14 left.

Senneca knotted things up again for the Lions, who started to gain control
of the line of scrimmage, with a 1-yard blast early in the third.

But Heisman Trophy-candidate Damien Anderson (91 yards) capped a quick


And that’s where the teams stood, heading into the final unforgettable 15
minutes.

“It’s a new season now,” Finney said. “Right now we’re 1-0 with six
games to go.”