Despite dislocated finger, Morelli keys PSU

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Penn St. outlasted Minnesota in overtime, and will play Michigan Saturday.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Anthony Morelli got over the finger.

With the middle finger on Morelli's left (non-throwing) hand taped up after dislocating it in practice, the first-year starting quarterback came up with his best performance this season in Penn State's 28-27 overtime win Saturday over Minnesota.

How the hand holds up for this weekend's showdown versus No. 4 Michigan at Beaver Stadium remains to be seen, though the strong-armed junior was glad it was repaired in time to play the Gophers.

"Everybody was yanking and pulling on it and it wouldn't go," Morelli said in Minneapolis about the finger injury suffered late in practice Thursday. Finally he was taken to the hospital, where it was set back into place.

"I was relieved," he said.

So were the Nittany Lions (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) after the roller-coaster win over Minnesota.

The offense got off to a sluggish start in a game indoors at the Metrodome that began just after 11 a.m. — an unusual morning start time for Penn State. Problems inside the 20-yard line popped up again, including a failed fourth-and-inches sneak by Morelli, and a mishandled snap by holder Kevin Suhey on a field-goal try that led to an interception. Kevin Kelly also missed a 42-yard field goal wide right.

Hunt helps

Tony Hunt (144 rushing yards, three total TDs) and Morelli (20-of-34, 281 yards, two TDs) helped put Penn State in position to win in regulation, handing the defense a seven-point cushion with less than three minutes to play.

But the defense couldn't hold on, and Minnesota took the lead in overtime off a pretty touchdown pass from Bryan Cupito to a jumping Eric Decker.

The Lions got a lucky break when Minnesota kicker Jason Giannini missed the ensuing extra point, then benefited from a questionable pass interference call that kept their overtime drive alive. Penn State finally won after Hunt's last touchdown and Kelly's extra point.

After solid performances the previous three weeks, Penn State's defense took some late lumps against Minnesota.

"We have a lot to learn and a lot of improvement," defensive end Tim Shaw said. "At the same time, we have a lot of heart so we will keep fighting and keep balanced and do what it takes to win."

Hunt keeps team in game

As he has most of the season, Hunt kept his team in the game. Morelli did his part, too, appearing to make the right reads and looking comfortable most of the afternoon.

"I thought Morelli stayed in there when things were getting tough," coach Joe Paterno said.

With some hard-core fans growing weary of Morelli's growing pains, the quarterback and his teammates now have the experience of playing well in a tight road contest following humbling losses earlier this season at Ohio State and Notre Dame.

The schedule doesn't get any easier with the Wolverines visiting Happy Valley this Saturday.

"We were lucky to win it but we'll take it," Paterno said.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006