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By JERRY KELLAR; Times Leader Sports Writer
Saturday, November 16, 1996     Page: 1B

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — If the pattern holds true — and there’s no reason to
believe it won’t — college football fans can expect another Big Ten classic
when No. 11 Penn State and 16th-rated Michigan clash at noon today in Michigan
Stadium.
   
The Nittany Lions and Wolverines are meeting for just the fourth time, but
the initial three encounters have all been decided in the fourth quarter and
defined by one series or play.
    So, just what is it about this series that’s producing these kind of games?
   
Joe Paterno, for one, doesn’t have the foggiest idea.
   
“I think those things happen,” Penn State’s 69-year-old coach said. “I
think both teams have a tremendous amount of respect for each other and I
think they play as hard and as well as they can. It has just happened that
there have been some big plays that have made it happen.”
   
In the first game of the series in 1993, the Lions saw a 10-0 lead
disappear as Derrick Alexander’s long punt return for a touchdown gave
Michigan a 14-10 lead. The Wolverines later clinched their 2113 victory at
Beaver Stadium with a goal-line stand in the third quarter.
   
In their first visit to Michigan Stadium, in 1994, the unbeaten Lions
jumped out to a 16-0 advantage, only to watch Michigan rally for a 17-16 lead
in the third quarter. With the score tied 24-24 late in the fourth quarter,
Kerry Collins fired a touchdown pass to Bobby Engram, and cornerback Brian
Miller secured the victory with a last-minute interception.
   
Last year’s contest, lowlighted by Penn State fans’ gamelong pelting of
Wolverine players with snowballs from the stands, was decided with 2:40 left
when Lion holder Joe Nastasi raced untouched to the end zone on a fake field
goal. State held on, 27-17.
   
Slowly but surely, another strong rivalry is brewing in the Big Ten.
   
“I think we have a whole mess of them out there right now,” Paterno said.
   
As usual, players from both squads are anticipating a 60-minute war.
   
“It’ll probably be another barn-burner,” said Michigan senior linebacker
Jarrett Irons.
   
The Lions and Wolverines are in contention for a bid to a major New Year’s
Day bowl. Penn State could end up in the Fiesta, Citrus or even Orange Bowl
with victories in its final two regular-season games.
   
Michigan, which suffered a huge loss on the road last week to
two-touchdown-underdog Purdue, can play its way back into the major bowl
picture by knocking off the Lions this afternoon.
   
“It’s a big game for us,” said Michigan second-year coach Lloyd Carr.
“Certainly, after a loss like we experienced, it’s not going to be an easy
chore. But that’s what challenge and athletics are all about.”
   
Given their choice, the Lions would have preferred the Wolverines were
coming off a blowout victory, not a disheartening defeat. The fact that Penn
State fans used the Maize and Blue for snowball-throwing target practice last
year will only add fuel to Michigan’s fire.
   
“The only thing I can say is I hope it doesn’t snow,” said Penn State tight
end Keith Olsommer. “Because I know we’re going to have 100,000 snowballs
flying at us.”
   
Paterno is more concerned with on-field matters. Like Penn State, Michigan
possesses one of the nation’s strongest defenses. The Wolverines have allowed
an average of 14.3 points, with eight opponents scoring 20 or fewer points,
and just 97.3 yards rushing per game.
   
“I think they will be fired up,” he said. “Remember, this is Michigan. They
have a great tradition and are not used to losing to anybody, much less
somebody that hasn’t beaten them in 12 years. They are not used to having five
turnovers, which they gave up against Purdue.
   
“We have a much more difficult job ahead of us now than we would have had
if Michigan had beaten Purdue.”
   
More college football
   
— Page 2B