Randle El hopes to give Indiana a winning option

The thrilling option quarterback trying to turn around Indiana's fortunes should test the Nittany Lions' defense. Now, if only Indiana's porous defense can stop Penn State, there might be a good game Saturday in Beaver Stadium as the Hoosiers (1-2) and the No. 2 Nittany Lions (4-0) open their Big Ten seasons.

"We've got to focus on stopping their overall offense and then try to find a way to attack different parts of their defense," said Indiana coach Cam Cameron, whose team is probably too young to do either. "But I don't see any weaknesses at this point."

There might be one: Penn State's defense, so touted before the season, has given up enough yards to be ranked no higher than seventh in Big Ten statistics.

Blame the tough non-conference schedule, but last week gave cause for concern. Facing No. 9 Miami, the defense had a spectacular first half, then ended up surrendering 320 yards, two late touchdowns and the fourth-quarter lead.

Only a fourth-and-two stop and a big Touchdown on offense kept the Lions from leaving Florida wondering what went wrong.

By attacking the outside, Hurricanes tailback James Jackson rushed for 129 yards to become the first back to gain more than 100 yards against Penn State in 15 games. On his 39-yard touchdown, he took advantage of good blocking, but Penn State's over-aggressiveness allowed him to sprint into the end zone.

The Lions expect the same sort of workout from Randle El, whose 514 yards passing and 295 yards rushing account for 70 percent of the Hoosiers' total offense.

Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington said he runs the option like Donovan McNabb, the Syracuse quarterback drafted No. 2 by the Philadelphia Eagles.

"We've got to find a way to stop that speed to the outside," Arrington said. "I think Randle El is one of the best quarterbacks around. He's going to cause some problems for us. We're just going to have to be disciplined in our assignments."

The last time Penn State faced a true option quarterback was last November against Wisconsin, when Mike Samuel rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Badgers' 24-3 victory.

Randle El noticed some cracks in the Lions defense. He said he thinks they have a way to attack it. "I'd rather not say right now," he answered.

For Indiana, the problem is that Randle El can lead his team to touchdown after touchdown - and still find his team trailing. The Hoosiers put up 30 points against North Carolina and 35 against Kentucky, and lost both games as the defense gave up nearly 1,000 yards and 86 points.

So for the Lions, who proved they can throw the ball, this would be a great time to get their running game back on track.

Penn State had 65 yards against Pittsburgh and only 110 yards against Miami.

"It's going to come," Kevin Thompson said Tuesday. "We're going to work on it this week, as far as staying on assignments, staying on blocks. We'll get it going."

Penn State coach Joe Paterno thinks so, too. But true to form, he isn't banking on an easy victory.

"We have eight wars ahead of us now. Eight wars. Everybody in the Big Ten is tough. They are all physical. Every one is capable of beating us," he said. "I don't think I will have a very tough job selling that to our kids."

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