Crescent-News.com - Penn St. hopes to shake off Michigan hex

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes doesn't like thinking about the last-second loss to Michigan in 2005.

Then-Wolverine receiver Mario Manningham's touchdown catch as time expired spoiled Penn State's dreams of an undefeated season -- one of five straight painful losses the Nittany Lions have endured at Michigan Stadium since 1996.

Which brings No. 13 Penn State (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) to its next visit this weekend to its maize-and-blue house of horrors to face Michigan (5-2, 1-2).

The party line in Happy Valley, from coach Joe Paterno to the scout team walk-on, is to forget the past. Hayes was in his redshirt freshman season in 2005, and there aren't too many other players left from that team.

"In '05 ... I don't really talk about '05," Hayes said Wednesday when asked why Ann Arbor has been so tough on the Nittany Lions. "That last second thing to Manningham was a heartbreaker."

To their credit, the last three games of the series at Michigan have been close, with the Wolverines winning by a combined margin of 10 points. Michigan is 5-2 all-time against Penn State at the Big House, but Paterno doesn't consider the Wolverines' home that tough a venue.

Pike has surgery on left forearm

CINCINNATI -- Quarterback Tony Pike had surgery Tuesday to repair a damaged plate in his non-throwing arm, leaving his status uncertain for fifth-ranked Cincinnati's game against Louisville.

Pike broke his left forearm last season, had a plate and six screws inserted, and returned after missing two games. He led the Bearcats to their first Big East title by playing with a cast on the arm.

During a 34-17 win at South Florida on Thursday night, the plate shifted when Pike was hit, forcing him to miss most of the second half. Sophomore Zach Collaros helped the Bearcats (6-0) pull away, running for a pair of touchdowns.

Pike met with a specialist on Monday, participated in a light practice with a cast on the forearm, then chose to have the surgery after consultations with another specialist. Coach Brian Kelly was notified on Monday night.

The plan is for Pike to spend two days trying to keep the swelling to a minimum, then return to practice on Thursday and see what he can do. After that, Kelly will decide which quarterback starts against Louisville (2-4) on Saturday.

"It's going to depend on the next 48 hours," Kelly said. "He cannot go out there if he can't protect himself. We can't put him in a position where he can't feel comfortable in protecting himself. The last time (he had surgery), it took two weeks for us to feel he was ready to go. We're hoping that process is accelerated. That's why we're not going to rule him out for Saturday night now."

Wisconsin's Taylor out for season

MILWAUKEE -- Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor suffered a "significant" injury to his right knee against Iowa and will miss the rest of the season.

Coach Bret Bielema confirmed Taylor's season-ending injury on Tuesday during the Big Ten coaches' conference call. Wisconsin lost 20-10 to then-No. 11 Iowa on Saturday. Taylor came into the game leading Wisconsin in tackles (43).

"The good thing for us is Mike's only a redshirt freshman. He'll have three quality years in front of him," Bielema said. "We'll help him get through this difficult time and we've got some of the best doctors in the country and will be able to get him back sooner than later."

Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) has lost two straight, but has a week off before playing Purdue on Oct. 31.

"This comes at a good week for us to have a bye week," the coach said. "Just to get ourselves healthy, regroup. We've got a four-game Big Ten schedule in front of us that's very challenging. We'll have an opportunity to sit back this week and get a little extra preparation on Purdue."

Bielema also said Tuesday that top running back John Clay spent time in a walking boot after the game. Clay has been struggling with a right ankle sprain most of the season and was buckled over early against the Hawkeyes. He returned and ran for 75 yards, but wasn't the same after the injury.

Weis: Heart is biggest asset

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame walked off the field following a 17-0 loss at Boston College a year ago with Eagles fans mockingly chanting: "Where's your heart? Where's your heart?"

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis doesn't expect to be hearing that chant this year. Midway through the season, he says heart is the biggest asset going for the Fighting Irish (4-2).

"They're a bunch of guys that have shown intestinal fortitude. They're tough," he said.

He points to Notre Dame playing five games decided in the final minute, including coming back from an 11-point deficit against Michigan to take a fourth-quarter lead before losing 38-34 and trailing USC by 20 and still having a chance to tie it with three passes into the end zone in the final 9 seconds before losing 34-27 on Saturday.

Will wear camo to honor vets

NEW YORK -- Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their games Nov. 14 to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project.

The black with tan camouflage uniforms, designed by Under Armour, will have a Wounded Warrior logo on them. Instead of players' names, the backs of the jerseys will have words such as courage, loyalty, integrity and service.

"Ooooh," South Carolina defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye said Tuesday after seeing the camouflage cleats the Gamecocks will wear. "I could wear these the whole season."

The Wounded Warrior Project acts as an advocate for injured service men and women in Washington and provides services and programs for them.

The 23rd-ranked Gamecocks play No. 2 Florida that day, and Maryland faces No. 15 Virginia Tech. Veterans Day is Nov. 11.

South Carolina's campus is 15 miles from Fort Jackson, the Army's largest training base.

Tape trick on field goals

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says Alabama used some tape trickery on field goals and extra points last weekend and is asking the Southeastern Conference if what he saw on video is legal.

Spurrier said Tuesday it looked like the Crimson Tide holder put a small piece of white tape on the ground to spot PATs and field goals, then quickly put the tape in his pocket after the kick.

Spurrier says it's the first time he has ever seen a team do that.

SEC spokesman Charles Bloom says the league is looking into Spurrier's claims.

Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin hit both extra points and field goals of 25 and 35 yards Saturday. He missed a 49-yarder.

Alabama officials say its coaches have been reminded of the rule on placekicks.

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Home \| Back Penn St. hopes to shake off Michigan hex Share Story: E-mail Story \| Print Story \| Comments \| * AP Wire October 21, 2009 STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes doesn't like thinking about the last-second loss to Michigan in 2005. Then-Wolverine receiver Mario Manningham's touchdown catch as time expired spoiled Penn State's dreams of an undefeated season -- one of five straight painful losses the Nittany Lions have endured at Michigan Stadium since 1996. Which brings No. 13 Penn State (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) to its next visit this weekend to its maize-and-blue house of horrors to face Michigan (5-2, 1-2). The party line in Happy Valley, from coach Joe Paterno to the scout team walk-on, is to forget the past. Hayes was in his redshirt freshman season in 2005, and there aren't too many other players left from that team. "In '05 ... I don't really talk about '05," Hayes said Wednesday when asked why Ann Arbor has been so tough on the Nittany Lions. "That last second thing to Manningham was a heartbreaker." To their credit, the last three games of the series at Michigan have been close, with the Wolverines winning by a combined margin of 10 points. Michigan is 5-2 all-time against Penn State at the Big House, but Paterno doesn't consider the Wolverines' home that tough a venue. Pike has surgery on left forearm CINCINNATI -- Quarterback Tony Pike had surgery Tuesday to repair a damaged plate in his non-throwing arm, leaving his status uncertain for fifth-ranked Cincinnati's game against Louisville. Pike broke his left forearm last season, had a plate and six screws inserted, and returned after missing two games. He led the Bearcats to their first Big East title by playing with a cast on the arm. During a 34-17 win at South Florida on Thursday night, the plate shifted when Pike was hit, forcing him to miss most of the second half. Sophomore Zach Collaros helped the Bearcats (6-0) pull away, running for a pair of touchdowns. Pike met with a specialist on Monday, participated in a light practice with a cast on the forearm, then chose to have the surgery after consultations with another specialist. Coach Brian Kelly was notified on Monday night. The plan is for Pike to spend two days trying to keep the swelling to a minimum, then return to practice on Thursday and see what he can do. After that, Kelly will decide which quarterback starts against Louisville (2-4) on Saturday. "It's going to depend on the next 48 hours," Kelly said. "He cannot go out there if he can't protect himself. We can't put him in a position where he can't feel comfortable in protecting himself. The last time (he had surgery), it took two weeks for us to feel he was ready to go. We're hoping that process is accelerated. That's why we're not going to rule him out for Saturday night now." Wisconsin's Taylor out for season MILWAUKEE -- Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor suffered a "significant" injury to his right knee against Iowa and will miss the rest of the season. Coach Bret Bielema confirmed Taylor's season-ending injury on Tuesday during the Big Ten coaches' conference call. Wisconsin lost 20-10 to then-No. 11 Iowa on Saturday. Taylor came into the game leading Wisconsin in tackles (43). "The good thing for us is Mike's only a redshirt freshman. He'll have three quality years in front of him," Bielema said. "We'll help him get through this difficult time and we've got some of the best doctors in the country and will be able to get him back sooner than later." Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) has lost two straight, but has a week off before playing Purdue on Oct. 31. "This comes at a good week for us to have a bye week," the coach said. "Just to get ourselves healthy, regroup. We've got a four-game Big Ten schedule in front of us that's very challenging. We'll have an opportunity to sit back this week and get a little extra preparation on Purdue." Bielema also said Tuesday that top running back John Clay spent time in a walking boot after the game. Clay has been struggling with a right ankle sprain most of the season and was buckled over early against the Hawkeyes. He returned and ran for 75 yards, but wasn't the same after the injury. Weis: Heart is biggest asset SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame walked off the field following a 17-0 loss at Boston College a year ago with Eagles fans mockingly chanting: "Where's your heart? Where's your heart?" Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis doesn't expect to be hearing that chant this year. Midway through the season, he says heart is the biggest asset going for the Fighting Irish (4-2). "They're a bunch of guys that have shown intestinal fortitude. They're tough," he said. He points to Notre Dame playing five games decided in the final minute, including coming back from an 11-point deficit against Michigan to take a fourth-quarter lead before losing 38-34 and trailing USC by 20 and still having a chance to tie it with three passes into the end zone in the final 9 seconds before losing 34-27 on Saturday. Will wear camo to honor vets NEW YORK -- Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their games Nov. 14 to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project. The black with tan camouflage uniforms, designed by Under Armour, will have a Wounded Warrior logo on them. Instead of players' names, the backs of the jerseys will have words such as courage, loyalty, integrity and service. "Ooooh," South Carolina defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye said Tuesday after seeing the camouflage cleats the Gamecocks will wear. "I could wear these the whole season." The Wounded Warrior Project acts as an advocate for injured service men and women in Washington and provides services and programs for them. The 23rd-ranked Gamecocks play No. 2 Florida that day, and Maryland faces No. 15 Virginia Tech. Veterans Day is Nov. 11. South Carolina's campus is 15 miles from Fort Jackson, the Army's largest training base. Tape trick on field goals COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says Alabama used some tape trickery on field goals and extra points last weekend and is asking the Southeastern Conference if what he saw on video is legal. Spurrier said Tuesday it looked like the Crimson Tide holder put a small piece of white tape on the ground to spot PATs and field goals, then quickly put the tape in his pocket after the kick. Spurrier says it's the first time he has ever seen a team do that. SEC spokesman Charles Bloom says the league is looking into Spurrier's claims. Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin hit both extra points and field goals of 25 and 35 yards Saturday. He missed a 49-yarder. Alabama officials say its coaches have been reminded of the rule on placekicks. Comments By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed. Crescent-News.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Login above or Register to comment. 0 Total Comments Home \| Back
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