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Big Ten defenses gaining much notice

The Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio — Just four Big Ten teams are ranked in the AP Top 25, but six of the top 12 defenses in college football reside in the conference. The Big Ten’s surprise team this year, Illinois — 17th in the AP poll — has the top-ranked defensive unit in the nation, followed by No. 2 Ohio State, which appears more and more each week to be a complete package. Michigan (AP No. 4) is ranked fifth in defense. Iowa, unranked in the poll because of a moribund offense, was propped up by its tough defense before running into the speeding Buckeyes last week. ...

Harbaugh takes shot at Penn State’s Franklin

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said Penn State coach James Franklin acted as a “ringleader” when the No. 4 Wolverines and No. 13 Nittany Lions clashed nearly two weeks ago, dismissing Franklin’s claim that a policy change was needed to keep things orderly beneath Michigan Stadium. Harbaugh said Monday it wasn’t the lack of a policy that caused a problem between the teams. A lot of heated words were exchanged and Michigan players reportedly said Penn State players threw peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at them as the teams headed to the locker room at ...

Highs & Lows

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 45-17 victory over Minnesota on Saturday night at Beaver Stadium: Play of the game: Hit as he threw, Sean Clifford lofted a 35-yard pass into the end zone that Parker Washington high-pointed, outscrapping Minnesota’s Terrell Smith. The touchdown gave the Lions a 24-10 lead with 11:59 remaining in the third quarter. Offensive player of the game: Clifford completed 23-of-31 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted once. Defensive player of ...

Nittany Lions get back on track, rout Minnesota, 45-17

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Penn State put last week's debacle at Michigan deep in its rear-view mirror Saturday. Before a White Out crowd of 109,853, the Nittany Lions stomped Minnesota, 45-17, on a gorgeous night at Beaver Stadium. Sean Clifford led the offensive attack by completing 23-of-31 for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted once. Parker Washington caught seven passes for 70 yards, including a spectacular 35-yard touchdown to give the Lions a 24-10 lead in the third quarter, and Mitchell Tinsley added four for 58 yards and a TD that extended the lead to ...

PSU point-counterpoint: Who should start at quarterback this weekend?

At least vs. Minnesota, here’s a vote for Allar By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com I say Drew Allar. Sean Clifford was injured enough at Michigan last week that he didn’t finish the game — a 41-17 rout. Many have clamored for Allar to replace Clifford, who has not played well in three straight games and endured difficult stretches in others (Purdue, Ohio U). Clifford hasn’t played poorly; he just hasn’t played all that well — which exemplifies his body of work over his long career. Since leading PSU to an 8-0 start way back in 2019, ...

Lions hope to build on last season

The Associated Press UNIVERSITY PARK — The whirlwind has slowed down a bit for Micah Shrewsberry as he enters his second season at Penn State. Personally, anyway. “I know my way around campus,” Shrewsberry said with a laugh. “May not know the street names around campus but I can get there when I need to. I know the places I like to eat and everything else.” Professionally, Shrewsberry sped up the process of reviving the Nittany Lions, bringing in an influx of talent to join a core that went a somewhat surprising 14-17 last winter and captured a pair of games in the Big ...