Notre Dame Follows the Script, 21-3 : Win Over Penn State Sets Up Showdown Against USC

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — For maybe a millisecond before Saturday’s game, there was a worry that Notre Dame might blow its undefeated season, lose its No. 1 ranking and the $2.7 million from the nice people at the Fiesta Bowl, and lessen the hoopla of next weekend’s showdown with No. 2-rated USC.

Whew! The record and ranking were preserved, Penn State was annihilated and, from the looks of things Saturday, the Trojans had better inoculate themselves for an attack of something far more serious than the measles.

The Fighting Irish dispatched this rival with ease, beating Penn State, 21-3, before a sellout crowd of 59,075 at moist and chilly Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish (10-0) showed great discipline in maintaining concentration and determination in a game that had no suspense and little beauty.

The victory set up next Saturday’s game at the Coliseum between Notre Dame’s more rabid rival, unbeaten USC. Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz and his players were adamant in their assertion that no one looked beyond this game to next week’s, but there was much interest in the televised USC-UCLA game.

The Irish came out and quickly established their superiority over the very limited Nittany Lions. It was an awesome display, from the much-touted offense to the devastating defense.

And it was not unexpected. Notre Dame has not lost at home in 2 seasons.

Still, the tradition of this rivalry ran deep. Had Penn State, which finished 5-6, ever been a 17-point underdog to anyone in the 23 seasons that Joe Paterno has spent pacing the sidelines there?

But these are unusual times. Not since 1938, when it went 3-4-1, had Penn State had a losing season. Counting this season and a losing season in 1888, there seems to be a losing cycle every 50 years at Penn State. Even considering Paterno’s longevity at the school, it’s unlikely he’ll be around to see another season such as this.

The Nittany Lions have been failing very publicly this season. They went 0-5 in 1988 network-televised games, and have gone 1-7 on network TV over 2 seasons.

Saturday was another bad showing. Notre Dame scored with its first possession of the game on a 2-yard run by quarterback Tony Rice, culminating an 87-yard drive. The Irish scored again in the second quarter on a 22-yard run by tailback Mark Green.

Penn State scored its only points on a near-miraculous 52-yard field goal by Eric Etze with no time left in the first half.

With Notre Dame leading, 14-3, at halftime, it looked dismal for Penn State and stayed that way. The Irish out-rushed the Nittany Lions, 301 yards to 105, and out-passed them, 201 to 74.

But Penn State had been beset with injuries at key positions. It began when tailback Blair Thomas, who gained 214 yards against Notre Dame last year, did not return from knee surgery in the off-season.

Then the Nittany Lions lost three quarterbacks in succession--including senior Lance Lonergan, who had a dislocated thumb--and ran out of spares. Even a freshman, Tony Sacca, played in 9 games.

Lonergan, one of four quarterbacks Paterno used Saturday, completed 3 of 16 passes for 39 yards with 1 interception.

Some might have thought Rice had a dislocated thumb when considering his early-season passing statistics. In the first two games, Rice was 5 of 21 for 90 yards with 2 interceptions.

Holtz said this week that he was looking for “stepped-up” passing from Rice.

“We don’t throw the ball well when we’re forced to throw,” Holtz said. “We can throw well when we mix it up.”

Rice, who said he was “getting there,” had more than respectable statistics Saturday, completing 10 of 18 passes for 191 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

Rice cooked in the passing department. His performance will go a long way toward eradicating the “he-can’t-throw” rap. And the advent of a passing game will help open up the Irish offense.

But against Penn State, it didn’t need any help. Notre Dame coasted in the second half, getting a final touchdown in the third quarter on a brilliant 67-yard touchdown pass play from Rice to receiver Raghib Ismail.

The celebration for Notre Dame was subdued, even after the Fiesta Bowl officials came into the locker room and officially invited the Irish to play West Virginia at Tempe, Ariz., in early January.

Green, the tailback, tried his best to keep things in perspective but added: “The sky’s the limit. We control everything we do.”

The players are looking forward to playing USC--especially an undefeated USC.

“If you’re the best, you want to play the best,” Rice said.

In the other locker room, the rumpled and unassuming Paterno had still not taken off his $1.99 clear vinyl fold-up raincoat. He was upbeat and in good humor, after weeks of being in a sour mood with the media. He spoke at length about the youth of his team and what that held for the future.

Someone jokingly asked if he was going to start Monday to plan for next season.

“I may start on the plane,” Paterno said, only half-kidding.

No one doubted it.

Meanwhile, the glib Holtz was saying how it was no big deal to be ranked No. 1.

“We’re not going to make a big to-do about it,” Holtz said.

No one appeared convinced.