Something about Barry Cofield’s demeanor gives him the air of a weary field general these days.

Cofield said he and his teammates felt “disappointment, anger (and the) anticipation to move on” after Saturday’s game, but he didn’t fumble around for an explanation for why Northwestern’s Big Ten opener slipped from it.

That came easily.

“You have to show some heart and character,” Cofield said, evenly, after NU’s 34-29 loss to Penn State on Saturday. “That’s what our defense had last year even when we didn’t play well for a whole game. (Last year) I’d look around the huddle and feel as if we’re going to make that last play. We haven’t discovered that yet this year.”

After a career of waiting his turn, Cofield is still waiting.

His play wasn’t flashy this weekend, but he was the reason for flashy plays. Cofield rattled Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson all afternoon with three quarterback hurries, one of which caused Robinson to throw an interception. Cofield also broke up three passes and sacked Robinson once.

It was easy to spot him on the line Saturday