The proof is there, though the entire idea has kind of sneaked up on Penn State fans, maybe even a few players, too.

Is this defense really as good as the numbers say it is?

And the numbers say it's really good.

As in leading the nation in scoring defense, giving up only 8.88 points per game. (Florida and Oklahoma are tied for second at 10.14 ppg.).

And the Nittany Lions now lead the Big Ten in all of the major defensive statistical categories: scoring, rushing yards per game (79.7), passing yards per game (160.5 avg.) and total defense (240.2 ypg.).

The Lions also are tops in tackles for losses and sacks.

Which all is a good lead-in to this Saturday's game at Northwestern, which features another unusual attack, the short pitch-and-catch game and the running of quarterback Mike Kafka.

Most figured this defense would be good but some of the attention has been broken by the injuries to three star linebackers, the early loss to Iowa and no marquee opponent to shut down.

For what it's worth, linebacker Navorro Bowman claims that he and his teammates don't pay attention much to being ranked third nationally in total defense and fourth in rushing defense and tackles for losses.

"Not really," said Bowman, who is second on the team with nine TFLs despite missing three games with a groin injury. "We just play week by week. We get told we're high in the rankings, but we just want to continue getting better and see where we end

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up at the end of the season.

"We just treat it as hearsay and keep it moving."

The defense is a nice mix of young and old, all of them tutored by some of the best at their trade in line coach Larry Johnson, linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden and coordinator Tom Bradley.

While the line relies on promising first-year starting ends, the middle is held down by senior tackle Jared Odrick and junior Ollie Ogbu.

Odrick is considered one of the top defensive tackles in the nation, though it's not a position of high-acclaim.

"He's a heck of a leader in practice. I think he's a leader in the game," said coach Joe Paterno. "He makes plays when they have to be made.

"I just don't think some of the kids have gotten quite the credit they should get."

And maybe getting hit hard by injuries early has helped strengthen the unit. Bowman said he is completely healed now. Star linebacker Sean Lee is not 100 percent yet but at least he is seeing more time each week while recovering from a knee injury.

Even injury-prone safety Nick Sukay and cornerback A.J. Wallace have stayed healthy. Sophomore defensive end Eric Latimore, who has been bothered by an ankle injury, is one of the few still struggling.

"I think Sukay's doing well," Paterno said. "I wish I could get him to catch those interceptions, a couple more. (But) I think they've done well."

Bowman and Lee are keys. Keeping them healthy could help this group improve even more down the stretch.

"(Bowman) wasn't in quite the kind of conditioning you would want him" because of the injury, Paterno said. "That's one of the reasons why I keep him in the game a little longer than maybe I would have, because I just think he needs to get where he's going to have to be."

Then Paterno added: "He's one of the better linebackers in the country."

* * *

What's going on? After not having a kick blocked in 130 attempts, punter Jeremy Boone has had two blocked this season and nearly a couple more.

Paterno chalked up the first one against Iowa to a simple blown blocking assignment, a mental mistake to be corrected.

But, "once we get (one) blocked like that, everybody examines everything you're doing," Paterno said. "They figure, 'Hey, we can get one.'

"I think we have spent a lot of time on punt protection," but against Michigan, Boone "was just a little bit too long in his steps, and he started to kick the ball away from some people ... and kicked it right into the block.

"I don't mean to put the blame on Boone, because I think we could have done a better job on it. I'm concerned about that. Each game we go in I'm more worried about the kicking game."

Tackle battle: Senior Ako Poti has started the past three games at right offensive tackle but could get pushed by former starter Nerraw McCormack, who is healed from an ankle injury. Sophomore DeOn'tae Pannell has been moved to left tackle while he recovers from an ankle injury.

The countdown: Daryll Clark is one of 15 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien award, given to the nation's top quarterback. Fan voting will account for five percent of the vote that will determine which three quarterbacks advance as finalists. Fans can vote once a day at www.VoteOBrien.org.

Clark and Iowa's Ricky Stanzi are the only Big Ten quarterbacks on the list.
fbodani@ydr.com; 771-2104.