Wisconsin quarterback presents new challenges for Penn State

Penn State has seen some quarterbacks this season who dented its defense with a deft combination of running and throwing, but the Nittany Lions haven't seen anyone quite like Wisconsin's Russell Wilson.

"Wilson? Wow," Lions interim head coach Tom Bradley said of the fifth-year senior, who leads the nation in passing efficiency.

"Any time you're completing 80 percent of your passes, 26 touchdowns, three interceptions . . . he's about as efficient a quarterback as I've seen in a long time," Bradley added. "His decision-making is excellent. Obviously, his leadership skills have been unquestionable, to walk in there as a guy coming from another team and to be able to take that team like he has."

The 20th-ranked Nittany Lions (9-2 overall, 6-1 Big Ten) will be seeing plenty of Wilson on Saturday when they head into Camp Randall Stadium to take on the No. 15 Badgers (9-2, 5-2) for the chance to go to the Big Ten's first championship game.

A transfer from North Carolina State who chose Wisconsin as the place to use his final year of eligibility, Wilson has passed for 2,506 yards and has run for 289. He already has set single-season school records for TD passes, completion percentage (73.6 percent), and efficiency rating.

"He's obviously great with his feet and even better with his arm," senior strong safety Drew Astorino said. "We haven't seen a quarterback that has a completion percentage and has the deep-ball accuracy that he does. It's definitely going to be a test for our secondary, but we're looking forward to it."

"He's a double threat," said defensive tackle Devon Still, who this week was named a finalist for the Bednarik Award and the Outland Trophy. "He has a great arm, and he's able to run the ball. When you're a defensive lineman, that's the worst nightmare to have - a quarterback that can throw the ball and run."

Wilson completed 16 of 17 passes, four of them going for touchdowns, two weeks ago against Minnesota. In nonconference play, he posted games of 347 and 345 yards.

Other than Northwestern's Dan Persa, who threw for 294 yards in an Oct. 22 loss to Penn State, the Nittany Lions really haven't been tested through the air this season. Alabama's A.J. McCarron and Nebraska's Taylor Martinez hit some clutch passes in the Lions' two defeats, but those teams did a lot of their damage on the ground.

The Badgers offense can hurt teams either way, with the pass or the run. Wilson makes liberal use of tailback Montee Ball, who has rushed for 1,466 yards and has scored 30 touchdowns. Ball carried 38 times last week against Illinois for 224 yards.

Given the effectiveness of Ball, the Badgers can be successful through the air using play-action. It's a dilemma for Penn State's defense.

"We've played teams earlier, like Alabama, with a talented running back," said cornerback D'Anton Lynn, referring to Trent Richardson. "But I don't think Alabama's quarterback was quite as good as Russell Wilson. So this will probably be the biggest test since I've been here as far as run and pass."

As for Wilson, Lynn said: "He's very poised. He tries to stay in the pocket. He doesn't run unless he has to. He makes great decisions, and he manages the game really well, really takes advantage of his running game."

The best way to get to Wilson might be with the pass rush. The Nittany Lions are third in the Big Ten with 27 sacks, while Wisconsin quarterbacks have been sacked 18 times.

Still, who leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss, was slowed last week by the flu and by Ohio State double teams, but he hopes to be spending time Saturday in the Badgers backfield. He'll be taking on an offensive line that has been nicked up and probably will be without starting center Peter Konz.

"When I see their offensive line, I see a big, aggressive group that can open up holes for Ball," he said. "Our front four is going to have to test them. I would say they're the best offensive line that we've played this year. You always want to play against the best."