Mark Rubin Named Big Ten POW

by BSD on Oct 27, 2008 12:58 PM EDT in Football

Mark Rubin has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

DEFENSE:
Mark Rubin, Penn State
SR, S, Amherst, N.Y./Amherst

Rubin collected a career-high 11 tackles and made the play of the game when he forced a fumble in the fourth quarter, which Penn State turned into the game-winning scoring drive to remain undefeated and stand alone atop the Big Ten standings. The senior safety registered nine solo stops on the night to spearhead a Nittany Lions defense which held the Buckeyes to only six points, its fewest points at home since 1982. PSU limited OSU to 61 rushing yards on the night, more than 100 yards below its season average, and forced two turnovers. The biggest turnover occurred in the final stanza. After Penn State missed a potential game-tying field goal at the start of the fourth quarter, Ohio State held a 6-3 lead and drove to midfield before Rubin hit the Buckeyes quarterback to force a fumble. Linebacker Navorro Bowman recovered the loose ball at the 38-yard line with just over 10 minutes left. The Nittany Lions scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive to claim a 10-6 lead on the way to the victory, PSU's first win in Columbus since 1978. Rubin collects his first career weekly laurel.

LAST PSU DEFENSIVE POW: DE Aaron Maybin on Oct. 13, 2008.

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and to think

early in the season I thought he was our weakest link on defense. He still may be, but man, that’s saying a lot for the rest of the D.

by The JuggerNitt on Oct 27, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh, really?

All I did was criticize him all game (except for the fumble, of course) because of poor tackling, blown coverage, etc. Do I have to eat my words now?

by AdamShell on Oct 27, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

When your safety makes 11 tackles AND your opponent isn’t able to move the ball on the ground, he’s had a good game. He might have gotten beaten on one or two 3rd down conversions, but it seemed more like Sales was the biggest culprit. Sales often stepped up when Bowman already had contain as the QB Spy to give Pryor an easy outlet on the sideline. Rubin I think also broke up one of those “moon balls” late in the game in addition to the FF.

by gcdyersb on Oct 27, 2008 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

It's a travesty

that James Laurinaitis didn’t win Big Ten POW. Dude had 2 solo tackles and 10 PJs (pile jumps).

by jimbo2psu on Oct 27, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

ah crap now I feel bad

for picking on Laurinaitis. I should probably just let the win be and be happy for Rubin. Sorry for any Buckeye fan that may stumble upon this and think I’m an a-hole.

by jimbo2psu on Oct 27, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

whether or not you are an a-hole

doesn’t change the fact: Laurinaitis had a phenomenal day at racking up “assisted” tackles. James Laurinaitis doesn’t assist in tackles, tackles assist James Laurinaitis.

by The JuggerNitt on Oct 27, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't feel bad

I was going to post the same thing, but I was too lazy. Thanks for doing it.

Would it be a good insult to say that James Laurinitis sounds hot?

by Elihu on Oct 27, 2008 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

After a brief review...

I think they are going to credit Luarinitis with all of Rubin’s tackles and his forced fumble

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Oct 27, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

missed tackle

The missed tackle of Clark on one of his blitzes was particularly poor and had a net effect of like +15 yards for Penn State.

by gumbercules on Oct 27, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Rubin against the run

I used to think he was by far our weakest link on defense. I still cringe at the possibility of him getting locked into coverage, but I was impressed with him supporting the run defense in this one. Outside of letting Pryor turn the corner on him in the first drive, I thought he tackled pretty well. Of course, I would prefer our safety not have to make 11 tackles …

by The Man with One Black Shoe on Oct 27, 2008 4:35 PM EDT reply actions