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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Opposing Viewpoint - Penn State
10/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Each week during the football season, GopherSports.com will bring you the opposing viewpoint by talking to a member of the media who covers Minnesota's opponent for that week. This week, we're joined by Frank Bodani of the York Daily Record in York, Pa.
GopherSports.com: Let's just jump right into it. What's wrong with Penn State this year?
Frank Bodani: A combination of things, really. The Lions had to replace all three linebackers and are relying on a talented but true freshman quarterback. Leaders have not emerged and the defense has been decimated by injuries, especially over the past few weeks.
GopherSports.com: And how are the Nittany Lion faithful handling their team being 3-3?
Frank Bodani: Not well. Lots of calls for Joe Paterno's replacement, whoever that is, to be called upon soon. They've seen the Dark Ages of the program (2000-2004) and have no patience for a repeat with an 83-year-old head coach.
GopherSports.com: Who/what has Penn State's attention from Minnesota this week?
Frank Bodani: They know Adam Weber very well and definitely respect the passing game.
GopherSports.com: What effect does the coaching change at Minnesota have on this game in your opinion?
Frank Bodani: A big unknown there. Will the Gophers come out fighting really hard to play for Coach Brewster? That's a possibility. Penn State's players have talked about that.
GopherSports.com: Give Gopher fans a few names to keep an eye on from the Penn State side of things and why?
Frank Bodani: Start with quarterback Rob Bolden who has a great arm and can run the ball if needed. He has lots of receivers at his disposal, such as Derek Moye and Justin Brown and really fast Devon Smith, but chemistry is still a work in progress. On defense, the Lions should be helped by the return from injury of linebackers Mike Mauti and Gerald Hodges. Mauti has Paul Posluszny- and Dan Connor-type of potential.
GopherSports.com: Is there a particular matchup in this game that has you intrigued, or could play a pivotal role in the outcome?
Frank Bodani: Penn State's running game against Minnesota's defense. The Lions definitely will try to establish Evan Royster against a suspect run defense. And then there's the Lions' ability to score in the red zone. They have been awful there so far.
GopherSports.com: What does Minnesota have to do to pull off an upset over JoePa and the Nittany Lions?
Frank Bodani: They need to rattle Bolden a bit and create some turnovers and gouge Penn State's banged-up defense with some big plays. Come out firing because the Lions have sleepwalked through the early stages of games.
-UM-
