Lion Cornerbacks Say They’re Up for Miami

TEMPE, Ariz. â€”  To blitz or not to blitz, that is Penn State’s question.

If the second-ranked Nittany Lions use a normal pass rush in next Friday night’s national championship Fiesta Bowl showdown against No. 1 Miami, Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde, the nation’s leading passer, could have a field day.

If Penn State blitzes, it could put the burden on cornerbacks Duffy Cobbs, a senior, and Eddie Johnson, the only sophomore starter on a veteran Nittany Lion team.

Miami would love to see Penn State’s cornerbacks in one-on-one coverage against on second-team All-American Michael Irvin (53 receptions, 868 yards, 11 touchdowns), Brett Perriman (34, 647, 4) and Brian Blades (18, 392, 4).

Cobbs and Johnson say they wouldn’t mind, either.

“I don’t think there’s any defensive back in the country that wouldn’t want to be one-on-one in a situation like that,� Cobbs said Sunday. “It’s a challenge that I hope everybody would like to have.�

The 5-foot-11 Cobbs, a two-year starter, led Penn State with four interceptions and 15 passes broken up. The 5-10 Johnson broke up eight passes and intercepted three.

“Neither is a big kid but both have good timing,� Coach Joe Paterno said. “They are quick, smart and very competitive. They’re probably as good as anybody we’ve had.

“But I don’t feel bad saying our corners can’t go one-on-one on their wideouts all game. I don’t think any two corners can handle them. You are looking at maybe as good a combination of skill people on offense as has ever played college football.�

Cobbs and Johnson don’t lack for confidence.

“I’m waiting for Testaverde to come out and play us. I’m anxious,� Johnson said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that they have great receivers and you have to respect them. They run very well after they catch the ball. They have real good speed. They work well with Testaverde. They have a feel for each other.

“Testaverde is a great quarterback but I’m not awed over him. I’m not going to be all tight and expect him to tear us up and just kill us out there. I feel confident with our ability. In no way do I doubt our ability to play these guys.�

Johnson couldn’t compare Testaverde to any quarterback Penn State faced during the regular season. He was asked if that meant Testaverde is better than the others.

“I’m not saying that because I haven’t played against him yet,� Johnson replied. “Everybody else seems to think so. We’re going to see Jan. 2 if he’s better than anybody else.�

Tough talk from a sophomore. Cobbs is no less confident but somewhat less loquacious.

“We’re not really thinking it’s us that has to win the game,� he said. “I’ve been hearing a lot that the secondary gives up a lot of yards.

“A lot of things we do on defense has a lot to do with what’s going on up front, what the linebackers are in. It affects the secondary, too.

“If everybody does his responsibility, everything will take care of itself. If we don’t get out of whack and just play our defense like we have all year, everything will fall in place.�

Cobbs knows he and Johnson could be in for a long evening.

“It could come down to one-on-one coverage,� he said. “I really can’t tell you if that’s what going to happen. But it could, and if it does I would love it because that’s your dream if you’re a defensive back. You want to be one-on-one at the end of the game or make the great play.

“The thing I think that scares me more than anything is the way their receivers run after they catch the ball. We’re going to have to be in the area and as soon as they catch the ball we have to put a few licks on them or not let them catch the ball at all.

“As far as Testaverde, number one is his ability to look off (from where he intends to throw the ball). Probably number two is his ability to scramble and throw the ball. That’s the thing that impresses me the most--his ability to look off and scramble and throw the ball.�

“We know what it takes to win and we’re going to go out and do it,� Johnson said. “It could come down to me and Duffy, and if it does we’ll be ready to do what we have to do.�