Penn State struggles to develop rivalries in fifth year in Big Ten

By Andrew Krebs
Daily Collegian

STATE COLLEGE (U-WIRE) - College football is propelled by the rivalries.

Michigan vs. Ohio State.

Penn State vs. - who?

The Nittany Lions were once part of one of the greatest rivalries in football. From 1935 to 1992, Penn State played Pittsburgh each season while bragging rights within the state hung in the balance.

It was everything a rivalry should be.

Penn State, entering its fifth campaign as a Big Ten team, opened this season with a convincing 34-17 win against the Panthers at Beaver Stadium. It was the first meeting between the schools since 1992, but the game has lost the significance it once had.

The question is: Has the rivalry with Pittsburgh been replaced by a rivalry with another Big Ten team - a conference rivalry like the one between Michigan and Ohio State?

The Wolverines and the Buckeyes have been playing since 1897, and as the years have passed the game has grown in importance.

The game is so important, in fact, that many have questioned the coaching ability of current Ohio State coach John Cooper solely because of his meager 1-7-1 record against Michigan.

They seem to forget Cooper has a 80-29-4 record as the Ohio State coach, but that's how important the rivalry is to the Ohio State faithful.

"When you talk about Michigan-Ohio State, that's going back a long time," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "That is what makes a rivalry."

This is just Penn State's fifth season in the conference, however. The Lions haven't had the opportunity to go back a long time with any of their conference opponents.

Nonetheless, many are putting the rivalry stamp on Saturday's game with Ohio State.

"As far as I'm concerned, I think it is definitely (a rivalry)," said Penn State hero Derek Fox. "You have to look at it that way - as far as being just another game - but you know this is the game."

Since Penn State began playing Ohio State in conference play in 1993, the Buckeyes have largely dominated the game.

In 1993, No. 12 Penn State traveled to Ohio State and lost to the No. 3 Buckeyes, 24-6.

In 1995, No. 5 Ohio State came to Happy Valley and Ohio State wide receiver Terry Glenn scorched the 12th-ranked Lions for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State lost, 28-25.

Last year, No. 4 Penn State returned to Columbus to play the second-ranked Buckeyes and left with a loss. The Rose Bowl-bound Buckeyes trounced the Lions, 38-7.

Penn State's sole win in that four-year span came in 1994, when the Lions were headed for the Rose Bowl and an undefeated season. No. 1 Penn State smashed No. 21 Ohio State, 63-14.

"Three of the games have not been very close," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "Ohio State kicked our ears in twice, and we were able to beat them pretty good one time. I think this game will probably be the most competitive."

It remains to be seen, though, if this game will finally transform the Ohio State-Penn State contest from a very big game into a very big rivalry - the very big rivalry Penn State has been without since the glory days of the Pitt-Penn State game.

10-10-97