Published: November 21, 2008 11:46 pm      

Big Ten title, Rose Bowl berth on the line for Lions

STATE COLLEGE — When Derrick Williams arrived at Penn State before the 2005 season, he had one goal in mind: Return Penn State to the ranks of college football’s elite.

At 3:30 today Williams and the rest of the seniors will have a chance to cement their legacy as the class that brought Penn State back to prominence, as the Nittany Lions will take on Michigan State in the seniors’ final game at Beaver Stadium.

“If we win next week, that’s 40 wins in four seasons,” Williams said. “That’s incredible. There’s not too many teams that can say that. … Everything I set out to do I’ve accomplished with the help of my teammates.”

A win today would also make the senior class the first in Penn State history to win two Big Ten titles, and would send the Lions (10-1, 6-1) to their first Rose Bowl since 1994.

Standing in their way will be a Michigan State team that has experienced a renaissance of its own this year.

Behind running back Javon Ringer, who leads the Big Ten with 353 carries this season, the No. 17 Spartans (9-2, 6-1) have returned to national prominence and are ranked heading into the annual matchup with Penn State for the first time since 1999.

A win today would also give Michigan State a share of its first Big Ten title since 1990.

The Spartans offense has held the ball for an average of 31:16 per game, and couples its bruising offensive attack with a defense that has allowed the fourth fewest points in the Big Ten.

“They’re (Michigan State) a great football team,” defensive-coordinator Tom Bradley said after last week’s win over Indiana. “Maybe playing as good as anybody in the Big Ten right now. They’re exceptional. The quarterback’s excellent, they’ve got a great offensive line. It’s going to be a tough game for us.”

Adding to the challenge of playing the Spartans will not only be the distraction of senior day, but also the situation surrounding coach Joe Paterno.

Paterno, who has been bothered by a hip injury and has coached from the press box since Oct. 4, said after last week’s game that he planned to have surgery following today’s game, but did not offer a definitive date for surgery in his weekly press conference.

While not offering specifics about surgery, Paterno said he would be part of bowl-game preparations.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to get something done,” Paterno said in his weekly press conference. “When we’re going to get it done and what’s going to be done, we’ll probably make a decision late this week or early next week. But I am certainly going to be involved one way or the other even if I have to walk around again with a cane for a month.”

In addition to his health problems, the 81-year old also does not have a contract in place for next season, leading to speculation that today could be his last game at Beaver Stadium as coach of the Nittany Lions.

Paterno said people shouldn’t expect that today will be his last game.

“Come to the game and enjoy it,” he said. “It’s a big football game. It’s a big football game for this football team. … But I don’t think they should be coming because they think it’s my last game.”