Outback Bowl Observations

By Jared Trexler

Tampa, FL (The Phanatic) -- Joe Paterno oversaw his 22nd bowl victory from upstairs, but had to like what he saw down below. In front of a capacity crowd at Raymond James Stadium, the Nittany Lions downed 17th-ranked Tennessee, 20-10, to capture the Big Ten's first victory of the bowl season.

Here are some observations from the impressive win.

--Nittany Lion football insiders -- both in the media and around the football team -- kept preaching that Anthony Morelli was close. I didn't see results to justify such an assertion, especially since I didn't felt the quarterback progressed throughout the campaign.

However, the switch flipped on Monday in Tampa. Two of Morelli's season-long problems, fixating his eyes on one side of the field and moving slowly through his progressions, were rectified in a mistake-free, fundamentally-sound 60 minutes. He was quick and decisive and looked like "Kerry Collins" according to one media member when looking off the safety left and deftly tossing a pass down the right sideline to Deon Butler.

If he can build off this performance, the Nittany Lions will be a national contender next season.

--Jay Alford and Tony Hunt will be missed. We all know about Double P in the middle, but Alford's bulldog nature in the trenches and Hunt's bruising running style are two irreplaceable assets. The Nits will go young at DT next season and turn to more speed in the backfield -- Austin Scott and Rodney Kinlaw.

--Loaded secondary. Justin King's name wasn't called much in the victory. For good reason. The sophomore blanketed, shadowed and sat at the dinner table next to All-American wide receiver Robert Meachem, limiting him to four catches for 33 yards. Tony Davis is solid, if not spectacular on the other side, and A.J. Wallace will push him for playing time opposite King next season. Anthony Scirrotto is ALWAYS around the football and plays off instinct better than any defensive back in the conference, securing his sixth interception in the second half against the Vols. If Spencer Ridenhour gets out of the doghouse -- he missed the game for violation of team rules -- he will likely have the inside track on the other safety position. Davis may also move alongside Scirrotto if both he and Wallace impress in Spring Practice.

--All of the pieces are there. The offensive line, save Levi Brown, is back and looked impressive against a strong Tennessee front seven. Every skill player, save Hunt, returns and Morelli can only build off a strong performance. Believe it or not, people I talk to say the defense can be EVEN BETTER next season. Dan Connor, who will likely return, and Sean Lee will flank Linebacker U with a more experienced and talented secondary. Josh Gaines may be the next great defensive end. Kevin Kelly MUST become more reliable. Both Notre Dame and Ohio State visit Beaver Stadium.