Bradley hoping to get Penn State's offense in gear

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Tom Bradley spent a lot of time around the Penn State offense during practice this week, if only to get to know the personalities of the players on the opposite side of the football from where his responsibilities used to be as defensive coordinator.

But no one would blame the interim head coach if he wanted to contribute a few ideas on how to get the offense going, particularly early in the game, in time for Saturday's matchup with Ohio State at Ohio Stadium.

The general opinion has been that the offense took the field last week with a little too much emotion after a week in which the university became mired in a child sexual-abuse scandal and 84-year-old head coach Joe Paterno lost his job.

The emotion should be flowing once again Saturday after the disclosure that Paterno has a form of lung cancer that one of his sons says is treatable. There will also be anxiety over the reception that players, coaches, and fans will receive from Ohio State's followers.

The Nittany Lions (8-2 overall, 5-1 Big Ten Conference), after a drought that lasted more than a half, scored a touchdown in the third and fourth quarters, but their rally from a 17-0 deficit came up short in last week's loss to Nebraska.

So Bradley checked out the offense this week, "not to call plays but just to be around the kids," he said.

"I wanted to see what their mentality is and what they're thinking," he said Thursday night on the Penn State radio broadcast. "It's been very positive the last couple of days. I've been cheerleading and pushing them a little bit, and getting a feel for where we are."

Bradley's first decision this week was to install Matt McGloin as the starting quarterback. He said Thursday night he believes that 1,000-yard rusher Silas Redd will be back after suffering a collarbone injury last week.

The coach wants to make sure everyone on offense is on the same page.

"I think we're going to try to sustain some drives and do a couple of things differently," Bradley said. "We're a couple of plays away here and there. We just need to make a couple of big plays, and that will help get us going.

"I've talked to [our offensive coaches] about if there's any way I can help. If there are certain things you want me to watch, certain things you want me to do. . . . I'm freed up a little bit from what I'd been doing on defense. Anything I can do to help the team win, I'll do it."

The offense could use help. After 10 games, the Lions are last in the Big Ten in passing efficiency, 11th in points scored, and 10th in total offense. They also are 10th in third-down conversion percentage and ninth in red-zone efficiency.

But the Buckeyes (6-4, 3-3) aren't much better. They are last in passing yards and 11th in total offense, although their rushing game with tailback Dan "Boom" Herron and freshman quarterback Braxton Miller has been somewhat effective.

It is possible that the defense on either team will make plays that could decide the game. The Nittany Lions, who have forced 23 turnovers this season, will look for a big play to give themselves six points or put their offense in prime position. The Buckeyes have grabbed 15 turnovers.

With continuing developments in the child sexual-abuse scandal and the news involving Paterno ever present, the Lions may have an issue with focus, and that could spell trouble, especially at the Horseshoe.

"The 'Shoe hasn't been a great place for us," Bradley said. "We haven't played some of our best games out there, but every year is different. I'm not worried about the past. I'm only worried about the present right now."