Penn State's Mike Zordich excels as ballcarrier

When Michael Zordich first came to Penn State, he practiced as a linebacker. But sometime in his freshman season, the coaches switched him to fullback. His teammates were quite impressed.

"I had no clue he had it in him," right guard John Urschel said. "He was just running people over. From then on, I knew. He's just a hitter."

And from then on, Urschel said, no Penn State player ever doubted what Zordich was capable of. After Penn State's 24-13 win against Temple (1-2) on Saturday at Beaver Stadium, no Penn State fan should doubt Zordich's potential either.

The senior led the Nittany Lions (2-2) with 114 all-purpose yards. He tallied 75 rushing yards - crushing the career-high he set last week by 25 - as well as 39 receiving yards on four receptions.

"What [coach Bill O'Brien] has said since he got here is that we need to be a balanced offense," Zordich said. "He doesn't want to be a team that's 70 percent passing and 30 percent running. In this conference, that's not really heard of."

That seemed to be the direction the Nittany Lions would go in once their top two running backs - Bill Belton (ankle injury) and Derek Day (shoulder) - were out for last week's game against Navy. But Zordich was thrust into the featured back role, and O'Brien likely didn't regret the decision.

The senior impressed, recording 50 yards on 11 carries.

On Saturday, Zordich displayed another dimension to his game. He pounded away at the Temple defensive line on every carry, then demonstrated great speed when he broke away or caught a pass.

"I wouldn't want to have to tackle that guy," Urschel said. "When you have a running back lowering his pads, lowering his shoulders and running in to you every play definitely wears on the defense."

One person who knows this first hand? Linebacker Mike Mauti, Zordich's good friend.

"In practice, we all know how tough he is as a blocker but when he's got the ball, you need a couple of guys to tackle him," Mauti said. "One guy isn't going to bring him down."

By the end of the first quarter, Zordich amassed 32 rushing yards, including a 16-yard dash to the Temple 48-yard line on the opening drive.

But late in the third quarter, Zordich was hit in his lower body and exited the game. He hopped around on the sideline for a bit, then trainers iced and wrapped his left knee.

Zordich did not return for the fourth quarter and the only clarification of the injury after the game was "bruised left knee."

O'Brien, familiar with Zordich's toughness, wasn't concerned.

"He'll probably spit on it and be OK," the coach said.