tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33422274115843340822024-03-05T10:12:34.135-05:00The Lion's DenFootloose and Sanction Free!psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.comBlogger769125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-66230247190851214862014-10-11T22:36:00.000-04:002014-10-11T22:36:07.181-04:00Go to Hell, Michigan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I have come close to walking away from blogging before.<br />
<br />
But this 18-13 loss to THEM is the straw that finally broke this bloggers back.<br />
<br />
If you can't beat a 2-4 team with a head coach who is a dead man walking and a starting quarterback with one leg . . .<br />
<br />
This was not the worst loss in PSU history. It was not the most embarrassing. But it is the one that ends this blog. Maybe I'm just getting old--staring fifty in the face next week. Maybe it's the recent loss of my father. Maybe it was just a bad week on-call. Maybe, it's just time. I will always be a Penn State fan. I will continue to watch and go to the games. But I can no longer publicly share my thoughts with you. Mere words and funny pictures cannot begin to express my disappointment at this time.<br />
<br />
To all my faithful readers, I thank you for reading my blog all these years.<br />
<br />
Good bye.<br />
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<br />psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-84032661614096020022014-10-09T22:03:00.000-04:002014-10-09T22:30:22.423-04:00Foe Pause: Doing the Hoke-y Pokey EditionTHEM.<br />
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<br />
As in The-M. A big block letter, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. (Apologies to William Shakespeare and <a href="http://www.nittanyturkey.com/" target="_blank">The Nittany Turkey</a>.)<br />
<br />
Since entering the Big Ten, it has been us against THEM. In their first match-up at Beaver stadium, the Lions were penalized for "crowd noise." Are you kidding me???? This was before Guido D'Elia and piped in music, mind you. And it only went down hill from there.<br />
<br />
A bad call on Tony Johnson in 2002. (Replay appeared the next season, I believe.)<br />
<br />
Two seconds and the infamous heel-toe in 2005.<br />
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<br />
At one point, they defeated Penn State 9 consecutive times over 11 seasons (as they rotated off the schedule for two years.) They still lead the all-time series 7-10, but Penn State has won the last four meetings, and has not lost to THEM since 2007.<br />
<br />
Ann Arbor University is still the only Division I school that I know of that honored a retiring referee, <a href="http://www.yurasko.net/wfy/2006/02/get-to-know-dick-honig.html" target="_blank">Dick Honig</a>, who coincidentally has/had a shrine to UM in his office.<br />
<br />
We could go on and on, but rehashing the past doesn't affect the match-up this weekend between these two traditional powerhouses. There is no Lloyd Carr or Joe Paterno on the sideline. No Chad Henne or Mario Manningham. No Daryll Clark or Matt McGloin either.<br />
<br />
Penn State opened as a two point favorite, but the line has fluctuated since then, with THEM being a two-point fave at one point, but currently nursing a one point favorite at home as of the time I type this. The <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/power-rankings" target="_blank">oddshark power ratings</a> have PSU at 37 and the wolverines at 69. They still have PSU as a two-point favorite.<br />
<br />
The outcome of this game will hinge on the answers to the following questions:<br />
<br />
1) Can Hoke save his job, and does he think by winning, that will change the outcome? Let's face it, if Hoke has given up, all bets are off.<br />
<br />
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2) Can Penn State rebound from the loss to Northwestern, and show improvement on the offensive line? Even a modicum of improvement will go a long way.<br />
<br />
3) Can Gardner play without being a turn-over machine?<br />
<br />
4) Can Hackenberg regain his confidence?<br />
<br />
Here is the wolverines season in a nutshell:<br />
<br />
They avenged their loss to Appalachian State in the home opener, defeating the Mountaineers 52-14. Of course, Appalachian State is only 1-4 this season so far, while the 2007 unit that upset THEM in Ann Arbor went on to a 13-2 record and won the FCS Championship that year. Interesting that although Appalachian State beat THEM in 2007, the wolverines still managed to beat us. This year, THEM won the Appalachian State game . . . does that bode a WIN for us?<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for wolverine fans, that one game was not a season. Any good feelings were gone the next week as the Irish drubbed the wolverines 31-0.<br />
<br />
Miami (OH) gave the wolverines another chance to feel good about themselves, and they beat the Redhawks 34-10. Of course, the Redhawks are now 1-5 on the season.<br />
<br />
THEM then lost to Utah in a rain-delayed game, 26-10.<br />
<br />
Minnesota then spoiled the conference opener in Ann Arbor, handing the Brady Hokies a 30-14 loss.<br />
<br />
And last week, the mighty Scarlet Knights of New Jersey defeated the wolverines 26-24 in Piscataway. In case you forgot, or Brady Hoke played you with a concussion, PSU beat Rutgers on the same field 13-10.<br />
<br />
So at 2-4, and accusations of playing a player with a concussion, the wolverines are a team in apparent disarray. The opponents they are victorious over are a combined 2-9 (0.182). Contrast that to Penn State, whose defeated opponents are 10-11 (0.476) and is skewed lower because UMass is 0-6! UCF is currently losing to BYU 24-17 in the third quarter.<br />
<br />
But a team in disarray can be a dangerous beast. Hoke has nothing to lose at this point. His job is in all likelihood lost, unless he can somehow figure out a way to beat Ohio State and/or win the Big Ten title. Neither are likely, and the issue isn't if he will be fired, but when.<br />
<br />
We cannot discount the referine factor.<br />
<br />
This game will be anything but a cakewalk, but I hope that Penn State learned something from the loss to NW. Hopefully they answer that wake up call with some inspired play on Saturday.<br />
<br />
I predict a Penn State win, 27-20 with the defense making a stand late in the game to seal the victory. But I have been wrong before.<br />
<br />
<b>In the Big Ten:</b><br />
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<br />
<br />
Maryland, Rutgers, Ohio State, and Nebraska are off.<br />
<br />
Michigan State takes on Purdue in West Lafayette. GO SPARTANS!<br />
<br />
Indiana travels to Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes. GO HOOSIERS!<br />
<br />
The Illini travel to Madison to take on the Badgers. ON WISCONSIN!<br />
<br />
Northwestern travels to Minnesota to attack the gophers. GO WILDCATS!<br />
<br />
<b>In games featuring past opponents:</b><br />
<br />
UCF is taking on BYU tonight. GO KNIGHTS!<br />
<br />
UMass looks for their first win against Kent State, which happens to be looking for their first win. Good luck with that guys! GO MINUTEMEN!<br />
<br />
Akron takes on Miami (OH). GO ZIPS!<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #073763;">GO STATE! BEAT THEM!</span></i></b>psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-57432399737449759002014-10-05T13:58:00.001-04:002014-10-05T15:15:19.324-04:00Sunday Sermon: Get Behind Me SabanAnd it was written,<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And the old miss answered, "Get thee behind me, Saban, for it is said, 'only Rebel not ye against the Lord.'"<br />
--Luke 4:8 and Numbers 14:9</blockquote>
Oh, how the mighty hath fallen!<br />
<br />
Look at this place! Not an empty pew to be seen! I have never seen so many repenters at one time!<br />
<br />
So many denominations in one place! Baptists, Episcopalians, Ducks, Aggies, Huskers, Sooners, and Elephants alike!<br />
<br />
Come now and here the word!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up horned frogs upon the land of Oklahoma.<br />
--Exodus 8:7</blockquote>
Repent!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And the Spartans laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.<br />
--Genesis 42:26</blockquote>
Repent!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of purple, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof.<br />
--Numbers 4:11</blockquote>
Repent!<br />
<br />
As we look down the list of those anointed teams, we see much suffering and gnashing of teeth.<br />
<br />
#1 F$U managed to avoid the upset omen, beating the Demon Deacons 43-3. Ironic isn't it? Demon Deacons. In this church???<br />
<br />
#2 Oregon got upsot by Arizona 31-24 on Thursday night, a premonition of pain to come.<br />
<br />
#3 Alabama got spanked by the Ole Miss, losing 23-17.<br />
<br />
Not to be outdone, #4 Oklahoma lost to TCU 37-33.<br />
<br />
#5 Auburn prevailed over #15 LSU.<br />
<br />
#6 Texas A and M was beaten by #12 Mississippi State. Lot's of rejoicing in that state today!<br />
<br />
#7 Baylor took care of Texas 28-7.<br />
<br />
# 8 UCLA lost to Utah 30-28.<br />
<br />
#9 Notre Dame used some Irish luck to overcome the #14 Stanford Cardinal 17-14.<br />
<br />
#10 MSU outlasted #19 Nebraska 27-22.<br />
<br />
Fifty percent of the Top 10 teams lost yesterday.<br />
<br />
#16 USC went down to Arizona State 38-34. Arizona is another state rejoicing today!<br />
<br />
#17 Wisconsin fell to the Northwestern Wildcats 20-14.<br />
<br />
#18 BYU fell to Utah State on Friday night. Still no one paid attention to the signs!<br />
<br />
All told, ELEVEN top-25 ranked teams choked yesterday, with the five of those ranked in the Top 8.<br />
<br />
What can we learn from this?<br />
<br />
Pride goeth before destruction? (Proverbs 16:18)<br />
<br />
The people ranking these teams don't really know what they are doing?<br />
<br />
It's a really good thing Penn State didn't play this weekend?<br />
<br />
It ain't over till you actually play the games?<br />
<br />
And we will part with the wisdom and "been a dick shun" of ESPN's premier prognosticator, Mark (Dis)May:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<b><i>GO STATE! BEAT THEM!</i></b>psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-28644929114910574412014-10-02T23:22:00.000-04:002014-10-02T23:22:28.905-04:00Breaking BIGWelcome to your weekly game guide, where we'll guide you through the upcoming BIG Ten match-ups this weekend and who to root for, using our own blend of seasoning, reasoning, and irrational thinking.<br />
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<br />
The Ohio State Buckeyes are going to ride the Colum-BUS to College Park, Maryland to take on the Terrapins, led by former UConn commander Randy Edsall. In his fourth season, he sports a record of 15-24 or thereabouts. Good move for UConn, if you ask me. But, you didn't.<br />
<br />
The opening line favored the Bucks by 10, but has dropped to 7.5, depending on whose line it is anyway.<br />
<br />
The Buckeyes are not the team you're rooting for. (Jedi mind trick. Works on the weak-minded. Covers most Buckeye fans.)<br />
<br />
GO TERPS!<br />
<br />
Indiana is hosting North Texas. I'm too lazy to look up a line. Let's assume for a moment that someone outside of <strike>Bloomingdales</strike> Bloomington actually cares about this game. We here at the Lions Den have no particular beef with Indiana, since we don't care about basketball. The Hoosiers are on our schedule, so in terms of schedule strength, it makes sense we root for the Hoosiers. Whatever. <br />
<br />
GO INDIANA!<br />
<br />
The Mighty Men of THEM head east to New Joisey to take on the Scarleted Knights of Rutgers. This is a concussive juggernaut of a game if ever there was one. Rutgers is already calling it a rivalry. Just what the wolverines needed. Another rival in scarlet. The wolverines are reeling from accusations of playing players in a coma (which would at least explain their poor record and on the field performance.) Hoke is on the Hot Seat, but the head hunters are looking for Athletic Director Dave Brandon as well. It's a-maize-ing what mischief those Michiganders can get into when they don't have football to distract them.<br />
<br />
The reddish knights are actually favored by 2 in this contest. Can Brady Hoke find enough injured players to beat the Knights?<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I'm really torn on this one. First, there is the generally accepted school of thought that you never root for THEM. (Unless they are playing Notre Dame, or an undefeated Buckeye team, and even then, it goes against the natural laws of the universe to do so.)<br />
<br />
On the one hand, if the wolverines lose, there collective backs will be against the wall more than ever, making them more desperate. The only thing more dangerous than a nasty varmint, is a desperate one. BUT . . . another loss could be demoralizing. It could further erode their confidence and team spirit. It might break their collective backs for the rest of the season, making them an easier target for us the following week. Decisions . . . decisions . . .<br />
<br />
Strength of schedule is meaningless since we play both teams.<br />
<br />
We've already bested Rutgers, so the only logical conclusion is to say . . .<br />
<br />
GO KNIGHTS!<br />
<br />
The Wascally Wisconsin Badgers take on the highly annoying purplish Wildcats of Northwestern. Boy did we here in the Lions Den underestimate the size of the fight in that cat. Even on the road, and despite an upset over Penn State by the Cats, the badgers are the betting favorite by 8.<br />
<br />
I personally don't think Northwestern is that good, but I'm not convinced that Wisconsin is all that either. Take away their run game, and they are beatable. I also wonder whether Northwestern can sustain the level of intensity they showed last week. I kind of doubt it, but we will go with:<br />
<br />
GO CATS!<br />
<br />
Purdue and Illinois will face off in Champaigne. This game barely eclipses the Indiana-North Texas game in terms of interest. We do not like Illinois. We do not like their poaching coaches. But since we don't play Purdue, we'll throw the Illini a bone. And the Illini are favored by 8.5 anyway.<br />
<br />
GO ILLINI!<br />
<br />
So let's see, what else do we have. Minnesota is off. Iowa is off. Penn State is obviously off. Is there anybody else?<br />
<br />
Oh, look what we have here!<br />
<br />
Two ranked BIG teams colliding?<br />
<br />
The Nebraska Corn Shuckers are heading to East Lansing to take on the Spartans. The 5-0 Shuckers are ranked 19th in the AP, while the 3-1 Spartans come in at #10. Sparty is favored by a touchdown. And while there is no hate here at the Lions Den for Nebraska fans, we still have not forgotten 1994, nor the non-touchdown a couple of years ago in Lincoln. We have no love for Dantonio either. We don't play the Shuckers, but our strength of schedule will be enhanced and seasoned by a MSU win.<br />
<br />
GO SPARTANS!<br />
<br />
And, in case you missed it, UCF defeated Houston 17-12 in a wild finish tonight. Houston was driving and had goal to go. A holding penalty backed them up. The UCF D let the cougar quarterback squirt free, but as he sprinted and danced toward the end zone, pirouetting and stretching to cross the goal line, the ball was knocked loose, and ruled a touch back as it rolled out of bounds. UCF ball. Replay confirmed. Game Over. And just for the record, that was not a fumble in Lincoln two years ago, but an unrequited touchdown. GO SPARTANS again!psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-70835958297270724032014-09-30T21:39:00.002-04:002014-09-30T21:39:50.974-04:00On Second Thought<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZWhS7QVUsfE_MSTKEKwYZRmmvRrgUucG2BHwqkhleqKs7VNKg-koF4CFfMGylx5pk8SdQOJj88mbhu5rP9LlyI4OLHW7fLQCWr4v0x-aZmpF-dvFVtTEm1ih4J7UdWDR8FvfX8rhI6BA/s1600/Bandwagon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZWhS7QVUsfE_MSTKEKwYZRmmvRrgUucG2BHwqkhleqKs7VNKg-koF4CFfMGylx5pk8SdQOJj88mbhu5rP9LlyI4OLHW7fLQCWr4v0x-aZmpF-dvFVtTEm1ih4J7UdWDR8FvfX8rhI6BA/s1600/Bandwagon.jpg" height="400" width="327" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
As I reflect on the nightmare that was the Northwestern game this past Saturday, I realize that perhaps my recap was a bit harsh. At one point I even said something like, "There are no bowls for that kind of effort, unless you count your own toilet bowl." A bit melodramatic. It's true . . . I haven't seen that much sucking since I toured the Hoover Vacuum Factory. <br />
<br />
The game of football often comes down to a few inches or a couple of plays (or in some cases a couple of freaking seconds on the clock!) Even as crappy as we played most of the day, we were only down 8 points before the Hackenberg's pick six, that was then followed by his fumble. That was a nine point swing on basically two plays. You change two plays against Rutgers or UCF and this team is 2-3. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, we couldn't make those plays on Saturday.<br />
<br />
But the end of the season it is not. There are a lot of games left to be played, a lot of opponents who have their own issues and struggles, and an exciting group of players who will entertain us later, even if they failed to make us happy in Happy Valley last weekend.<br />
<br />
But while it is not the end of the season, it is the end of a perfect season.<br />
<br />
Granted, no one expected Penn State to go undefeated. But be honest. Didn't the thought cross your mind? Didn't you start to think that this team could just find a way? Even down 20-6, didn't you expect Hackenberg to suddenly ignite, do that thing he does with his arm and just start scoring?<br />
<br />
Didn't you start to look ahead . . .oh, the wolverines are struggling . . . we could go into the Ohio State game undefeated. Don't you look away from me. Look me in the eyes and say you didn't start thinking about it! Didn't you want it to happen so badly, that your brain started thinking it could happen? Didn't you want to see Penn State crash the final four party in their first post-sanction season? Can you imagine the look on Emmert's face when that happened? Or even some members of our own BOT?<br />
<br />
Damn it! You wanted that to happen! I know you wanted it. We all did. We all wanted to see James Franklin do a Terry Bowden at Auburn impersonation, but actually compete for the mythical national championship instead of a perfect season with an asterisk.<br />
<br />
And when it didn't happen, not only were we disappointed that we didn't beat Northwestern, but we were disappointed that we didn't see our dreams come true. It's only natural to over react and panic.<br />
<br />
And then I wonder . . .<br />
<br />
Did the players start thinking it? Coaches talk a great talk about one game at a time. James Franklin went out of his way to make that point. Doth the coach protest too much? Maybe the kids were trying too hard, instead of playing loose and free. Lifting the sanctions freed this team in one way, but bound us to how important winning each game is now. They knew they were 4-0. They saw tape of Northwestern. You have to live under a rock and have never heard of Geico not to know about the troubles Brady Hoke is having in Ann Arbor. Those players knew the score! Yet, they couldn't play hard enough to win.<br />
<br />
Multiple people have discussed the game with me, and almost everyone asks why our players weren't playing with the intensity of the Northwestern players? I can't answer that, but our team enthusiasm did seem to be muted. We played tight, uncomfortable and tried too hard. And how can that be with over 100,000 fans, beautiful weather, and the best atmosphere in college football to play a game? It's almost unfathomable.<br />
<br />
One player having a bad day? Maybe he's catching the flu. Maybe he had a rough week in classes. Maybe his girlfriend is giving him crap about something. Maybe his mom is sick. Just a usual athletes slump. Who knows? But the whole team??? How is that possible?<br />
<br />
We all know our offensive line is having troubles, but at what point do these guys get tired of getting pushed around and start pushing back? Every time your quarterback is hurried, that's your fault. Don't you want to get up the next play and just hammer the enemy back? Franklin talks about getting off the bus and going after them. He talks about determination and playing with a chip on their shoulders. The word <i>swagger </i>was thrown out there.<br />
<br />
So where was the swagger last Saturday? What happened to attacking them as soon as they got off the bus? <br />
<br />
I don't know. But whatever cosmic alignment of forces brought about the complete team failure we saw is unlikely to occur again in this season. That is not to say they won't lose more games--there are teams that are playing better with full scholarship complements that are simply going to be better than we are, no matter how well we play. But I still think that Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, and Temple are still winnable games, as well as the trip to Ann Arbor.<br />
<br />
It does seem that every team has their best game against us. The wolverines were 7-5 in 2005 yet were the only team to beat PSU. Iowa in 2008 couldn't beat Pitt, but managed to knock us out of #3 in the nation. But if those same cosmic forces that aligned against us last week choose to align against the buckeyes or the Spartans, then watch out.<br />
<br />
Silly me. We have no chance of winning those games. The bandwagon fans are already dusting off their 5-7 and 6-6 predictions they hid away after we started 4-0. Smug they are, now.<br />
<br />
But you know and I know that those little doomsday bastards were thinking undefeated season somewhere deep in their puny little gray matters. They'll never admit it. They never said it. They staunchly stand by their dismal predictions. But deep down, they were just as disappointed as the rest of us. The difference is they will now revel in being so smart at predicting a bad season. They are football gurus. We should bow down and lick their shoes clean.<br />
<br />
Personally, I'd rather be disappointed with high expectations, than satisfied with lower ones. And I don't think I'd like the taste of shoes.psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-24250609337719960342014-09-28T20:27:00.002-04:002014-09-28T20:29:04.315-04:00WildCatastrophe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaKbIk0epyHFqmoPibA-Stm9zydXfWtEje6o_cxrMvrsaBooux4FDdcrOS3pbGboTwvt6vOEnavmPpL0fdfL0tsGjDR9plBSlUUb-0vD84TbOfsVYHowZY_lIKnkJo-q23AB2-nIFtGth/s1600/WTF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaKbIk0epyHFqmoPibA-Stm9zydXfWtEje6o_cxrMvrsaBooux4FDdcrOS3pbGboTwvt6vOEnavmPpL0fdfL0tsGjDR9plBSlUUb-0vD84TbOfsVYHowZY_lIKnkJo-q23AB2-nIFtGth/s1600/WTF.jpg" height="185" width="200" /></a></div>
What in the name of sweet baby JoePa was that????!!!!!<br />
<br />
Seriously. What the [insert word] happened?<br />
<br />
Granted, we knew this team had some issues. The offensive line has been about as good as France when it comes to keeping the enemy out of its territory. Christian Hackenberg vacillates from Heisman hopeful to blind man chucking acorns at a cat. Our defense has traditionally (as in so far this season) started slow, allowing most opponents to score early on us or at least move the ball at will early, but has to date closed the door when the freaking door needed closing. It seemed like they not only left the damned door open Saturday, but put up signs to show the way.<br />
<br />
This was a team effort loss, that no missed pass interference penalty could hope to save. Losing on Homecoming, 29-6? To Northwestern? Ugh!<br />
<br />
Special teams were anything but special. A blocked field goal and a long punt return to give the Wildcats a short field were glaringly obvious, but what went through Grant Haley's mind when he tried to run the ball deep out of our endzone on a couple of kick-offs. This game could have been a lot worse if Northwestern hadn't kept trying to let us back into it, with missed field goals of their own and one decent punt return by Della Valle, and TWO-count em--PATs missed. And they still won!<br />
<br />
This is worse than a 63-14 loss to a top ranked team. This was an unranked Northwestern team that although they played fired-up and inspired football against us, is a very pedestrian team. They will be will be lucky to become bowl eligible (and we appear to be in that location as well.) This was a match-up of two mediocre teams and we outmediocred the competition. There are no bowls for that kind of effort, unless you count your own toilet bowl.<br />
<br />
I honestly thought this was going to be a breakout game. I hedged my prediction, knowing that we had the aforementioned "issues," but I did not see this beat down coming.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKzvBlNM4h_vjdDObivF_FClAmpErHKCPSMJ6KOg-UGYoP0FIZwOcWs9877Lp_D-zwzsh8bBmRCG_r9rNyMisIoWyYcNlXLWa4Wkvqd9wzhUOxNcyQ23Mg4fz4Ez7M3FlqEbD7Y4j2UIe/s1600/Neversawitcoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKzvBlNM4h_vjdDObivF_FClAmpErHKCPSMJ6KOg-UGYoP0FIZwOcWs9877Lp_D-zwzsh8bBmRCG_r9rNyMisIoWyYcNlXLWa4Wkvqd9wzhUOxNcyQ23Mg4fz4Ez7M3FlqEbD7Y4j2UIe/s1600/Neversawitcoming.jpg" height="312" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I don't know where to begin to pick up the pieces. Is it simply the sanctions? Is it coaching? I really like James Franklin. I love his style; his energy. I love his recruiting ability. But some of his game time decisions leave me scratching my head, although I don't know for sure if he calls the offensive plays or not. He is not coaching a group of athletes that he recruited, so we must temper that with our criticism. Sanctions notwithstanding, he started from zero with this team. But just because the sanctions have vanished in the future, does not change the effect they had on this team to date. <br />
<br />
And you can't blame the coach for Hackenberg flat out missing a wide open Belton, or any other of the numerous really bad throws he had. But one wonders why we didn't see Crook late in the game, when the chance of winning was really beyond what we had time left to do. Speaking of which, why weren't we going no huddle in the fourth quarter? We needed scores, and instead were throwing pick sixes and taking our good old time failing at this one. I actually think Hack plays better in the hurry-up, pressure on, package--in general. <br />
<br />
I'm not saying that Northwestern didn't play a good game--so if you are a Wildcat fan, don't get your panties all bunched up. Ya done good. Your coach was prepared for this game. Ours was not, for whatever reason. And maybe if you keep up that intensity week after week, you'll make me eat my words. But until then . . .<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA2AitWn_j0ZCJ3BlzHkfM6RgaQ2O-rkO4BO7ZofapXS0QG7n5xn0fx9SwVsZfzt0eNkmLfuhAt5o2i8mYaUCs9gIJ8mw4l-1mrsjLSPVM5E_FpU-KchQSQgtMWjiYwg52xfZGkGTPjzB/s1600/epicfail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA2AitWn_j0ZCJ3BlzHkfM6RgaQ2O-rkO4BO7ZofapXS0QG7n5xn0fx9SwVsZfzt0eNkmLfuhAt5o2i8mYaUCs9gIJ8mw4l-1mrsjLSPVM5E_FpU-KchQSQgtMWjiYwg52xfZGkGTPjzB/s1600/epicfail.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm going to blame this on ourselves. The only reason we're not 5-0 right now is because we did not execute, did not adapt during the game, failed to capitalize on our opponent's mistakes, and played some of the most uninspired football I have personally witnessed since we lost to Iowa 6-4. And at least the defense played a great game then!<br />
<br />
But this is not a sky is falling rant. We have another very beatable opponent coming up in the form THEM. They followed up their epic loss to Utah with an even more epic fail against Minnesota. Unfortunately, I think we could still outmediocre them as well, but at least we have an extra week to teach blocking, tackling, and kicking.<br />
<br />
<b>BY THE NUMBERS:</b><br />
<br />
Per <a href="http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2014-2015/psunw.html" target="_blank">GoPSUsports</a>:<br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#c0c0c0"><td><center>
<b>Team Statistics</b>
</center>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#00008b">
<td align="left" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b> Team Totals </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NU </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PSU </b></span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>FIRST DOWNS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">17 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">14 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">14 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">9 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Penalty </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS RUSHING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">103 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">50 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Attempts </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">38 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">25 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Rush </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2.7 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Gained Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">121 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">79 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Lost Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">18 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">29 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS PASSING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">258 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">216 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Completions-Attempts-Int </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">21-37-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">22-46-1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Attempt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Completion </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">12.3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">9.8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">361 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">266 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Total offense plays </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">75 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">71 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Gain Per Play </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4.8 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumbles: Number-Lost</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Penalties: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8-75 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-35 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PUNTS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6-223 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7-250 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">37.2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">35.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">26.7 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">29.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Inside 20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 50+ Yards </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Fair catch </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>KICKOFFS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6-384 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-191 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">64.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">63.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">44.5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">36.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-42-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-43-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">42.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">21.5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-56-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-67-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">28.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">16.8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-49-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-2-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Miscellaneous Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">-20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Possession Time</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">30:23 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">29:37 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 1st Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 8:58 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 6:02 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 2nd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:46 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:14 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 3rd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:52 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:08 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 4th Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:47 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:13 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Third-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7 of 17 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 of 17 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fourth-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 of 2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 of 4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Red-Zone Scores-Chances</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-6 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-6 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Field goals </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-6 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sacks By: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-13 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PAT Kicks</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Field Goals</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Points off turnovers</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">18 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
Pick a number--any number. It's bad. I wouldn't even know where to begin. Oh, we were okay in time of possession! And we actually held the Wildcats to around a 100 yards rushing.<br />
<br />
<b>INTANGIBLES:</b><br />
<br />
The Drum Major stuck both flips, so we got that going for us.<br />
<br />
The weather was perfect.<br />
<br />
The Alumni Band performed--great to see the combined units playing together!<br />
<br />
This is Franklin's first loss. <br />
<br />
PSU still owns the all-time record at 13-4.<br />
<br />
And just what the hell is with the traffic going through Toftrees???!!! What a clusterf*ck! Been going that way for 14 years. Traffic usually doesn't back up until you go under the 322 underpass going up Fox Hollow Road. Took me a goddamned hour from getting off the exit on 322 until we got to our parking spot (bumper to bumper from the first golf cart crossing!) I shouldn't have to leave Altoona earlier than 8 am for a freaking noon game.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvJelgfaxfyLUA-zp9-zCwclOFky0FwR3Wnamdv71l1pynjEudVzQJFaA4VCiM9GCidXf2Aifaaczfaqy7qREr51lFr08_We44Z6DwmlPoOMOCAySx7whN7ZYFE_QbMOfEnw_bJQvizPN/s1600/toftreestraffic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvJelgfaxfyLUA-zp9-zCwclOFky0FwR3Wnamdv71l1pynjEudVzQJFaA4VCiM9GCidXf2Aifaaczfaqy7qREr51lFr08_We44Z6DwmlPoOMOCAySx7whN7ZYFE_QbMOfEnw_bJQvizPN/s1600/toftreestraffic.jpg" height="137" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traffic at Toftrees . . .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>THE BIG (TEN) PICTURE:</b><br />
<br />
The Buckeyes struggled early but pulled away from Cincinnati, 50-28.<br />
<br />
Likewise, Wisconsin started slow, but beat South Florida 27-10.<br />
<br />
MSU soundly defeated Wyoming 56-14.<br />
<br />
Rutgers defeated Tulane 31-6.<br />
<br />
In conference action . . .<br />
<br />
THEM lost to Minnesota 30-14.<br />
<br />
Nebraska crushed the Illini 45-14.<br />
<br />
Maryland defeated Indiana 37-15.<br />
<br />
Purdue Outmediocred Iowa, losing 24-10.<br />
<br />
<b>SHEDDING TEARS:</b><br />
<br />
1. For the Penn State Alumni--at least the tailgate weather was nice.<br />
2. For Pitt--losers to Akron 21-10. Hey, didn't we beat Akron???<br />
3. Arkansas--lost to 6th ranked Aggies in OT<br />
4. UMass--lost 47-42 to Bowling Green to go 0-5.<br />
5. New Mexico State--lost 63-7 to LSU<br />
<br />
<b>LOOKING AHEAD:</b><br />
<br />
Bye week. We're not looking any further than that.psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-9748468889089569022014-09-26T21:08:00.000-04:002014-09-26T21:08:19.248-04:00Foe Pause: Catfight EditionThe Northwestern Wildcan'ts are coming to Beaver Stadium, assuming that their flight wasn't <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-flights-grounded-at-midway-ohare-as-fire-crews-called-to-radar-facility-20140926-story.html#page=1" target="_blank">cancelled in Chicago</a>. If it isn't a volcano, it's a fire at a radar facility.<br />
<br />
Northwestern is an unimpressive 2-3, but there are those that would argue Penn State's 4-0 record is equally without awe. I don't know about you, but wins and undefeatedness trumps any lame attempt to compare Cal to Rutgers or Northern Illinois to UCF.<br />
<br />
The betting line is 10.5 in favor of the home team.<br />
<br />
Penn State pwns the all-time record between these academic institutions with a 13-3 advantage. (This is obviously a rivalry game!) It is HOMECOMING for the PSU faithful. The Lions are 4-0 and looking to take one more step closer to bowl eligibility.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOVY6PxFQXE_9ob_d8Y1PlzGClGTUM_71r5XR_Dw7jAUiHq8AjT9368jvsLtODyVvBbHu1OArzojPrEgdG4WhgO_115sy7S3QKa_nChw1AfEoin3M4br_q-AkHAXHWLpAeVH_qSVGhcwo/s1600/Eligibowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOVY6PxFQXE_9ob_d8Y1PlzGClGTUM_71r5XR_Dw7jAUiHq8AjT9368jvsLtODyVvBbHu1OArzojPrEgdG4WhgO_115sy7S3QKa_nChw1AfEoin3M4br_q-AkHAXHWLpAeVH_qSVGhcwo/s1600/Eligibowl.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So it doesn't really matter if the Wildcat's show up? Well, I wouldn't go that far. Our offensive line still has some proving to do. Our running game, which hinges on the aforementioned offensive line and its success therein, has yet to prove consistency (other than being consistently non-existent.) Hack might have a great day. He might not. We won't know until about 12:15 tomorrow, or maybe not even until the fourth quarter, say 2:45 give a timeout or two.<br />
<br />
The last game versus the men in purple was in Bill O'Brien's first year. It was also homecoming. The Lion's trailed by 11 at one point, but scored 22 unanswered points, including a two-point conversion, to win 39-28 in the fourth quarter. Interestingly, the Wildcan'ts were 5-0 that season going into this game. It is also the game where Pat Fitzgerald, in a decidedly un-Fitzgerald like moment, mocked Bill O'Brien who was chewing out the refs over a bad PI call, while assistant coaches and players taunted the Beaver Stadium crowd who were cheering The Chin's assault on the myopic refs. It was not their finest moment, nor their finest game--the Wildcan'ts that is.<br />
<br />
So what do we know of this foe?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmFHfEmv15notP4NrOGa-F5rjjWGyC9k-5qhYOqlsDIwBrY2SWfOL6krKhey3UgMsrZf2qncvCyS3DtbOddueNZBGE77xW-rD-ElddbtHz4SUZr_oQhzAoqeXxged72maRBXJGi9IDHFT/s1600/WildcatsMusical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmFHfEmv15notP4NrOGa-F5rjjWGyC9k-5qhYOqlsDIwBrY2SWfOL6krKhey3UgMsrZf2qncvCyS3DtbOddueNZBGE77xW-rD-ElddbtHz4SUZr_oQhzAoqeXxged72maRBXJGi9IDHFT/s1600/WildcatsMusical.jpg" height="193" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That just about says it all.<br />
<br />
Northwestern is a private institution of higher learning in Evanston, Ill. Now we could argue until we're purple in the face as to whether it was smart to build anything in Evanston, but it really won't get us anywhere, especially if the planes are still grounded at O'Hare.<br />
<br />
Most learned people would agree, that northwestern is a compass direction, not a school. Compasses were around before colleges. Just sayin . . .<br />
<br />
Their school motto is: <i style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Quaecumque sunt vera</i> which means something in Latin. (I think it might mean <i>compass for a school</i>.) They say it means "whatsoever things are true," but who really knows, since Latin hasn't been used as a legitimate language since the Roman Empire. Worked out well for them, didn't it?<br />
<br />
Among their many famous Alumni, is Charlton Heston. Can any one forget this scene:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<b>In the Big Ten this week:</b><br />
<br />
Michigan State takes on Wyoming. GO SPARTANS!<br />
<br />
THEM opens as an 8.5 point favorite over the gophers. GO MINNESOTA! (even though a win by THEM helps our strength of schedule. I'd also rather the wolverines not have any confidence coming into our match-up if its all the same to you.)<br />
<br />
The Hoosiers, coming off an upset of Missouri, are favored by 3 over the Terps. GO INDIANA!<br />
<br />
The Badgers are 33 point favorites over South Florida. Guess we'll root for Bucky this time!<br />
<br />
Rutgers hosts Tulane and is favored by 11.5 points. Don't like Rutgers, but strength of schedule, baby! GO KNIGHTS!<br />
<br />
Iowa is favored by 13.5 over Purdue. We don't play either one. Flip a coin and root for whomever you wish!<br />
<br />
The Buckeyes square off against Cincinnati. GO BEARCATS! (We screw the strength of schedule argument if it means seeing Urban Meyer lose. That's priceless.)<br />
<br />
The Huskers over the Illini. GO BIG RED!<br />
<br />
<b>In games featuring past opponents:</b><br />
<br />
UMass looks for their first win against Bowling Green. GO MINUTEMEN!<br />
<br />
Akron is a 17.5 point underdog to the panthers. GO ZIPS!<br />
<br />
Prediction:<br />
<br />
Penn State wins, 24-10.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">GO STATE! BEAT CATS!</span></i></b>psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-54765172311038131242014-09-26T09:17:00.001-04:002014-09-26T09:17:57.460-04:00NCAA MeetingPlease Note: This video is RATED R (sexual language.) Don't blame me. I didn't make the video. But I really enjoyed it!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dVLzwLDPXoA" width="560"></iframe>
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psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-52608806305536779902014-09-21T14:32:00.000-04:002014-09-21T14:41:58.697-04:00Weapons of UMass Destruction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On a bright, sunny fall day, Penn State unleashed its weapons of "U"mass destruction on the Minutemen, ending in a 48-7 decision that could have been worse if the back-ups hadn't taken over in the third quarter. Granted, this wasn't Wisconsin, Alabama, or Oregon we were playing, but I think we got we expected. The Lions Shock and Awe featured four runners, seven receivers, two quarterbacks, and James Franklin in a pear tree. What's to complain about?<br />
<br />
The score could have been 66-0 without substitutions later in the game. It would have been more fun to pitch a shut out. The final score was still respectable and covered the point spread. In my weekly foe pause, I begged the team not to struggle. Didn't look good for me in the first quarter, but the slow start was erased as the offense picked up steam. Field goals became touchdowns. No turn-overs by the blue and white, and the offensive line gained some confidence. We won't know until they face better defenses if this has any long term effect. With the offensive line doing better, the run game did better. The officiating crew threw no egregious flags or over looked any egregious penalties. What more could you ask for?<br />
<br />
Which begs the question . . .why was there only 99,155 fans? You can't blame it on the weather. Unworthy opponent? Some pundits thought this might be a trap game. PSU has never played UMass before. Granted, not as exciting as a game against Ohio State, but a team can't compete at that level every week anyway. The team needs a game like this now and then. And Nebraska brought in 91,082 versus McNeese State! Their capacity is listed at 87,000 on wikipedia with a record crowd of 91,585 against Miami this week. Look at those numbers again--that's a difference of 503 fans between McNeese State and Miami (FL)! They apparently aren't "competition snobs" out in Lincoln--they love their team no matter who they play!<br />
<br />
Money a problem??? Even if you can't afford season tickets, you could buy single game tickets. It was a great game to bring the kids--warm weather, fairly family friendly atmosphere (compared to a night game against the Bucks), and a fun game to watch. In fact I saw more kids and babies (one wearing big pink headphones to block out the crowd noise) at this game than any other I can recall. Seriously, park your STEP and administrative protests at home and get your butt down to watch these kids play. They may not be the greatest team in the country, but they are playing their hearts out. Don't make a statement to the BOT by eschewing this team--make a better statement by showing up and packing the stadium. Let the BOT know that we fans are a force to be reckoned with! Make James Franklin smile!<br />
<br />
I still can't get over how eerily this team parallels some of the good (and later in the year, I hope to change that to great, but there is still a lot of work to be done yet to earn that adjective) teams of the vintage Paterno era. A 13-10 victory in primetime against Rutgers. Winning on a late field goal against UCF as an underdog. Mounting a comfortable halftime lead against an inferior opponent and then letting the back-ups have some fun and the second string D giving up a meaningless score in garbage time. It's like Joe has been re-incarnated--his spirit is all over and around this team.<br />
<br />
So we came out of this game with no turn-overs, no significant injuries, and a back-up QB that looks like he can fill in if duty calls. The O-line did better, but needs to keep improving. This team has a legitimate chance to be undefeated when the Buckeyes come to visit in mid October. They may even be favored to win the next two games.<br />
<br />
<b>BY THE NUMBERS:</b><br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#c0c0c0"><td>
<b>Team Statistics</b>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#00008b">
<td align="left" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b> Team Totals </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>UMASS </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PSU </b></span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>FIRST DOWNS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">13 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">23 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">11 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">11 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Penalty </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS RUSHING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">228</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Attempts </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">28 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">45 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Rush </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0.1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5.1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Gained Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">59 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">247 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Lost Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">56 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">19 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS PASSING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">263 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">236 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Completions-Attempts-Int </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">17-33-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">18-32-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Attempt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7.4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Completion </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">15.5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">13.1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">266 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">464 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Total offense plays </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">61 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">77 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Gain Per Play </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4.4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumbles: Number-Lost</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Penalties: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-30 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6-52 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PUNTS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-191 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-122 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">38.2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">40.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">36.8 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">40.3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Inside 20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 50+ Yards </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Fair catch </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>KICKOFFS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-130 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">9-576 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">65.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">64.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">40.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">39.6 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-7-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3.5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-20-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-25-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">20.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">25.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-7-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Miscellaneous Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Possession Time</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">22:28 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">37:32</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 1st Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 6:03 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 8:57 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 2nd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 7:14 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 7:46 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 3rd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 4:25 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">10:35</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 4th Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 4:46 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">10:14</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Third-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 of 13 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">10 of 17</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fourth-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 of 4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 of 1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Red-Zone Scores-Chances</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6-6 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-6 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Field goals </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-6 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sacks By: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-10 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-25 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PAT Kicks</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6-6 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Field Goals</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Points off turnovers</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">14 </span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
<br />
Penn State scored on EIGHT straight possessions after going three and out with a punt on the first possession of the game.<br />
<br />
No turn-overs for PSU!<br />
<br />
THREE YARDS total for Umass on the ground! Shoop there it is!<br />
<br />
<b>INTANGIBLES:</b><br />
<br />
UMass won the toss and deferred.<br />
<br />
The drum major hit both flips--the first perhaps one of the best flips ever.<br />
<br />
James Franklin is 4-0 and the first PSU coach to start his career 4-0 since 1915.<br />
<br />
Attendance listed at 99,155. WE CAN DO BETTER!<br />
<br />
<b>THE BIG (10) PICTURE:</b><br />
<br />
<i>Who's Hot:</i><br />
<br />
Indiana upset Missouri 31-27.<br />
<br />
Nebraska out-slugs Miami 41-31. Lots of off-setting penalties in that one.<br />
<br />
Wisconsin rolled out the barrel all over Bowling Green, 68-17.<br />
<br />
Maryland bested Syracuse 34-20, a bit of an upset with the Orange favored by 3.<br />
<br />
Rutgers sank Navy 31-24.<br />
<br />
Minnesota defeated San Jose State 24-7.<br />
<br />
Illinois survived a scare and prevailed 42-35 over Texas State.<br />
<br />
Iowa beat Pitt 24-20.<br />
<br />
Purdue boiled Southern Illinois 35-13.<br />
<br />
The Spartans crushed and spit out the remains of Eastern Michigan, 73-14.<br />
<br />
Northwestern defeated Western Illinois 24-7.<br />
<br />
<i>Who's Not:</i><br />
<br />
Utah beat THEM 26-10 in a weather delayed game. They are the only BIG team to lose this week.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4N8FZukuDCU0bR2bFM9FtXenJG_Pnq1QEeFThmQJhoqQedUjWHwxzJl_pvp9677QZgIjqFJLoMXEs3MBGP772aAxb5i9mWsIk0Py9o-QUkmcdKsr2petftXaQO3kwCCh_BbTTJnIL497B/s1600/UtahMich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4N8FZukuDCU0bR2bFM9FtXenJG_Pnq1QEeFThmQJhoqQedUjWHwxzJl_pvp9677QZgIjqFJLoMXEs3MBGP772aAxb5i9mWsIk0Py9o-QUkmcdKsr2petftXaQO3kwCCh_BbTTJnIL497B/s1600/UtahMich.jpg" height="326" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Utah fans outnumber the wolverine fans in the Big House after a rain delay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>SHEDDING TEARS:</b><br />
<br />
1. Clemson--loses in OT to #1 F$U after missed field goals and fumbles<br />
2. LSU--lost to Miss St. 34-29.<br />
3. Hokies--drop two in a row after beating the Buckeyes<br />
4. Cal--<a href="https://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11563396/cal-store-sends-win-email-too-early" target="_blank">premature celebration</a> but Arizona comes back on a Hail Mary<br />
5. K-State-- wasted opportunities to beat Auburn<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>LOOKING AHEAD:</b><br />
<br />
Northwestern invades Beaver Stadium for a 12 noon start next Saturday. The Wildcats are coming off a 24-7 win over Western Illinois. This week is HOMECOMING.<br />
<br />
Northwestern opened the season with a 31-24 loss to Cal, and then followed that with a lackluster performance and a loss to Northern Illinois 23-15.<br />
<br />
Well pause for a foe pause later this week.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-72351661682649596532014-09-18T22:42:00.000-04:002014-09-19T11:04:48.391-04:00Foe Pause: Can you spare a minute, man? EditionPenn State opened as a 30 point favorite against the Minutemen of UMass. The line has dropped since then, but still is better than a 4 TD differential.<br />
<br />
In researching this week's foe, I learned something new. UMass is a MAC team! I did not know that! I thought they were FCS, but apparently, they are one of the Big Boys now. I did not get that Memo! And they are coming to Beaver Stadium not to go all Appalachian State all over us, but to try and Holy Toledo us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_qN9DrQPs6P__2x1u3E2IqOG2HvQzlAtsHkEIqOrT3fAV4DIZdBBr9f6PXmD6KYNUOVfFm-oMJgUjRSYiH4G_ZiTvddcXlvbqzyJbRu52BlimIuLZkipu-6CAsxI9M6TNvcoVuPgAaBw/s1600/MACmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_qN9DrQPs6P__2x1u3E2IqOG2HvQzlAtsHkEIqOrT3fAV4DIZdBBr9f6PXmD6KYNUOVfFm-oMJgUjRSYiH4G_ZiTvddcXlvbqzyJbRu52BlimIuLZkipu-6CAsxI9M6TNvcoVuPgAaBw/s1600/MACmap.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They look so lonely over there. B.O. perhaps?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Some have called this a trap game. Those same people have called the last three games "trap" games. And Penn State is sitting pretty at 3-0, all footloose and sanction free.<br />
<br />
Penn State has never played UMass in football before. A virgin opponent!<br />
<br />
The Minutemen hail from Foxborough, Massachusetts (Gillette Stadium) and are coached by Mark Whipple. Whipple was a quarterback at Brown. Who else do we know was a QB for Brown???? Thinking . . . thinking. . . . it'll come to me later. Whipple was also a QB coach for the Steelers in 2004-6. Prior to that he was head coach at UMass for 6 years, and has an overall record there as head coach of 49-29, including an 0-3 start to this season.<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhII2z4JOyBVctp75MmVUGH1hfv3Tzq3_0_r9-s_REieNUPlbqER64MkL-LTbQQQVABj6W4183oxVKqeYuibtXhusY1a8QNyFrVy0_JF_tFGwfGfg2pnz7da9f_mj5RkM5jAiIhaG73GUng/s1600/Mr.+Whipple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhII2z4JOyBVctp75MmVUGH1hfv3Tzq3_0_r9-s_REieNUPlbqER64MkL-LTbQQQVABj6W4183oxVKqeYuibtXhusY1a8QNyFrVy0_JF_tFGwfGfg2pnz7da9f_mj5RkM5jAiIhaG73GUng/s1600/Mr.+Whipple.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please, Don't Squeeze my Team!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Minutemen have actually been to two bowls.<br />
<br />
They lost the 1964 Tangerine Bowl 14-13 to East Carolina, and won the 1972 Boardwalk Bowl over UC Davis 35-14. Their relevance to modern football is quite apparent.<br />
<br />
Statistically, according to <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/113/massachusetts-massachusetts" target="_blank">ESPN</a>, UMass is 80th in passing yards (224.0), 118th in rushing yards (82.3), 91st in points for (25.3) and 104th in points against (35.)<br />
<br />
While the Penn State offense is struggling, the Minutemen have given up 35 points on average to teams like Colorado, BC (who just beat USC) and Vanderbilt (who is really struggling this year sans Franklin.) UMass does not bring the hatred and passion that Rutgers showed last week, and no one will ever confuse this as a rivalry game. No one should have confused last week's match-up as one either, but Rutgers is arguably a better team than UMass.<br />
<br />
Penn State needs this game for the offensive line to gain some confidence. It is a work in progress, but only UMass and Northwestern stand between THEM and Ohio State back to back, albeit both coming off bye weeks in October.<br />
<br />
I look to see Penn State NOT STRUGGLE (did you hear that guys---no last minute antics to pull out a win this week, please, and for the love of God don't lose this game!) and use this game to tune up some weaknesses. I hope our back-up QB gets some reps, because with Hack running for his life the past few games, he is one hit away from being on the injured reserved list.<br />
<br />
However, looking at how the Minutemen have struggled to score, I think our defense has a chance to pitch a shut out. So I think Penn State will win easily, but may be lucky to cover the spread. Let's say 27-3.<br />
<br />
<b>WEEKLY GAME GUIDE:</b><br />
<br />
In the Big Ten:<br />
<br />
Michigan State takes on Eastern Michigan. GO Spartans!<br />
<br />
Illinois takes on Texas State. GO BOBCATS!<br />
<br />
Nebraska plays Miami (FL). This should be a good game. GO HUSKERS!<br />
<br />
Indiana travels to Missouri. Good luck with that. We can root for the Hoosiers all we want, but I think we know who will win this game!<br />
<br />
The Hawkeyes travel to Pittsburgh--GO HAWKS!<br />
<br />
Northwestern tries to get a win against Western Illinois. What the heck, let's root for the Wild-can'ts!<br />
<br />
The Terps head to Syracuse--GO TERPS!<br />
<br />
Rutgers tries to rebound against Navy. GO MIDSHIPMEN!<br />
<br />
Minnesota hosts San Jose State. GO GOPHERS!<br />
<br />
Purdue should be able to make it back to .500 with a win over Southern Illinois.<br />
<br />
Utah comes to the Big House. GO UTES!<br />
<br />
And Wisconsin hosts Bowling Green. GO BADGERS!<br />
<br />
The Buckeyes are off this week, preparing for Cincinnati.<br />
<br />
In games featuring past opponents:<br />
<br />
UCF should win against Bethuse-Cookman.<br />
<br />
Akron takes on Marshall. GO ZIPS!<br />
<br />
<b><i>GO STATE! BEAT UMASS!</i></b>psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-21046766797952991422014-09-15T20:29:00.000-04:002014-09-15T20:29:21.822-04:00Rutgers ApologyFrom the Scarlet Knights <a href="http://www.scarletknights.com/news/release.asp?prID=15402#.VBd9XvmwLnR" target="_blank">website</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
On behalf of Rutgers University and the Athletic Department, we would like to apologize for the regrettable actions of a handful of Rutgers fans on Saturday that do not convey the message of good, competitive spirit that we look forward to having with our new Big Ten rival Penn State University.<br />
<br />
Some of the signage and t-shirts that we have been made aware of were both inappropriate and offensive.<br />
<br />
I have spoken with and apologized to the Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour and I would like to apologize equally to the Penn State University fans, as well as Rutgers fans that were subjected to this classless display that does not represent the ethos of our university, athletic department or fan base.<br />
<br />
The two inappropriate pictures that appeared briefly on our Facebook page as part of a 200-picture montage were immediately removed when we were alerted to their content.<br />
<br />
It is unfortunate that the actions of a few spoiled an otherwise historic and record-setting night that Rutgers fans provided for our first Big Ten football game.<br />
<br />
Julie Hermann<br />
Rutgers Athletic Director</blockquote>
Sometimes there is a fine line between humor and insensitivity. I think that some Rutgers fans crossed that line. But some think I cross the line sometimes. Oh, well.<br />
<br />
In a related story, New Jersey has renamed the town of Piscataway . . .<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d2bHv4ifO3EopITVyK0ooCuQj8uaSUDGXjWnsUGwz5xDmXXmUxW8rMntLu6LZtz7yGptapsk_Zn3ProKx1NsCigrwHvDjVOyocmikiZdNSyT_9jYNmHYfPPIhsdGgAXAaGpr6JUukAQK/s1600/Pissedthataway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d2bHv4ifO3EopITVyK0ooCuQj8uaSUDGXjWnsUGwz5xDmXXmUxW8rMntLu6LZtz7yGptapsk_Zn3ProKx1NsCigrwHvDjVOyocmikiZdNSyT_9jYNmHYfPPIhsdGgAXAaGpr6JUukAQK/s1600/Pissedthataway.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And apparently, a picture of <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveTSRA/status/511283161771569153/photo/1" target="_blank">Franklin heading to New Jersey</a> on a recruiting trip has surfaced . . .<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AX7GyFDtGw21ff-XXuDvcGIgfrocXvQ43zfDdJasN0lS6mfMuBS6rS5SkExCih4gYTmMUhvCf-xVwvBQA-rtCxJ4dAUGZVf_yvLufdsj68Lx6F_Uym-9fuyiXbBmtJCjzuQsmnX5xYVv/s1600/FranklinCrossesDelaware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AX7GyFDtGw21ff-XXuDvcGIgfrocXvQ43zfDdJasN0lS6mfMuBS6rS5SkExCih4gYTmMUhvCf-xVwvBQA-rtCxJ4dAUGZVf_yvLufdsj68Lx6F_Uym-9fuyiXbBmtJCjzuQsmnX5xYVv/s1600/FranklinCrossesDelaware.jpg" height="403" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We can only hope the Land Grant Trophy on the back falls in the river!psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-75930119245968342292014-09-14T13:49:00.000-04:002014-09-14T21:07:44.945-04:00Knightmare NovaGary "turNova" threw five interceptions while the Penn State defense shut out the Scarlet Knights in the second half, to key a 13-10 win over our newest "rival." This game is probably the most hyped, yet unimportant game outside of these two programs, that I have seen in a while. (The Ohio State-THEM game is the perennial over-hyped game which generally most other fans could care less about.) But I digress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a7NaQN-wkLfg45AackmYwAglUBN8ffgiXGqSYJZ2r5IFzeK0sthTbaHsEGIAanIZByEd3JfygF2Xtfm3Lhi3W4Lhut5e_lXsR1xStsqZ_lFUTF5RhCstMFbep2rpTRpdA2vBBUfi0OmY/s1600/RutgersDefeatsState.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a7NaQN-wkLfg45AackmYwAglUBN8ffgiXGqSYJZ2r5IFzeK0sthTbaHsEGIAanIZByEd3JfygF2Xtfm3Lhi3W4Lhut5e_lXsR1xStsqZ_lFUTF5RhCstMFbep2rpTRpdA2vBBUfi0OmY/s1600/RutgersDefeatsState.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hackenberg passed for over 300 yards, setting a new school record of 7 games in his career of 300+ yards. Despite a 10 to nothing deficit at the half, this Penn State team did not give up. They may not have the best team. They may not have the biggest stars. We may not have the "best" coach. But this team gives 110% of itself for a full 60 minutes of every game. <br />
<br />
It would appear that Mr. Hackenberg operates best under pressure. And I'm not talking about defensive pressure, because he saw a lot of that in the first half from the Scarlet Knights. They were stunting, blitzing, and magically appearing in the backfield to help with the hand-off on nearly every down. Credit Penn State with making second half adjustments that allowed Hack to have more time.<br />
<br />
We still have an annoying problem. No running game. Yes, but that is not the annoying problem to which I allude. We seem to amass large quantities of yardage--mostly through the air, but fail to convert said yardage into points on the scoreboard. We are totally smashing the stats sheet (and the win column!!!!) but we can't seem to light up the scoreboard. Granted, at 3-0, it's an annoyance. But with BIGger prizes to play for now, it could become a real pain in the loss column later on.<br />
<br />
We can nitt-pick all day about having Hackenberg punt (did not work) and running the wild cat with Hackenberg out as a receiver (which hasn't worked). Are we trying too hard to be gimmicky? I don't know. I kind of like seeing new wrinkles. And with a little better execution, these plays could catch some people by surprise (such as the toss back to Hack at wide receiver for a pass.) Had we lost, well, then these things might be more important. But for now, they are just more nuances that other defenses have to prepare for.<br />
<br />
What was the deal with Witvoet's mike? They didn't replace it at half time. He looks like he's a hundred years old. Maybe that's his natural voice! And to his credit, he and his merry band of misfit zebras called a great game--perhaps the fairest game I have ever seen a Big Ten crew officiate. Okay, the two holding penalties that called back big plays annoyed me, but I have to admit, they were correct calls. Now, it's not like holds like that always get called in our conference, but in the final analysis, they were correct calls.<br />
<br />
I've seen various estimates of the Penn State crowd (8-10,000) and one poster went so far as to guesstimate 25%. I think that's a bit over the top, but it sounds like we were well represented.<br />
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<br />
I will also give the Scarlet Knight fans some credit. They sold out their puny little stadium for this "rivalry." And the game noise sounded loud and might have contributed to one false start penalty. I doubt Beaver Stadium would have been full had this game been played there on this weekend, but I could be wrong. But when your highest sell-out is still around what the other team pulls in for a spring scrimmage, I wouldn't spend so much time crowing about it. That don't impress me much!<br />
<br />
I will also give the Scarlet Knight players kudos. The emotion in the first half was unbelievable. You actually played hard enough to win. But in the end, emotion only carries you so far, and your best just wasn't good enough.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Some reports have trickled in about bad experiences from RU fans. These things will happen. Late start. Lotsa alcohol. Every fan base has their black sheep. People say things. People throw bags of urine. Whatever. But at the very heart of the matter, I understand your pain. You thought this was YOUR YEAR. Penn State is perhaps at it's worst because of the residual of the sanctions. I saw this in the eyes of Temple fans two years ago when they came to Beaver Stadium in 2012 to face a struggling 1-2 Lion team led by new head coach Bill O'Brien. You (the opposition) have one of your better teams. It looks like the stars are aligning. Then it blasts apart in a super-gary-nova of interceptions and blown opportunities. And at the end of the knight, you are no closer to that Holy Grail than you ever were before. Oh well.<br />
<br />
<b>BY THE NUMBERS:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
From the <a href="http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2014-2015/psuru.html" target="_blank">GoPSUsports site</a>:<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<table border="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#c0c0c0"><td></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Team Statistics (Final)
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#00008b">
<td align="left" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b> Team Totals </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PSU </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>RU </b></span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>FIRST DOWNS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">19 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">15 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">13 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Penalty </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS RUSHING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">64 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">102 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Attempts </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">33 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">31 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Rush </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1.9 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3.3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Gained Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">91 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">126 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Lost Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">27 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">24 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS PASSING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">309 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">192 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Completions-Attempts-Int </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">25-44-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">15-31-5</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Attempt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6.2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Completion </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">12.4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">12.8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">373 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">294 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Total offense plays </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">77 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">62 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Gain Per Play </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4.8 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumbles: Number-Lost</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Penalties: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-40 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">9-75 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PUNTS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8-217 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7-272 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">27.1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">38.9 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">27.1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">36.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Inside 20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 50+ Yards </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Fair catch </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>KICKOFFS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-246 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-173 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">61.5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">57.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">38.5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">45.7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-36-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-42-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">18.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">21.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-3-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-26-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Miscellaneous Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Possession Time</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">33:23 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">26:37 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 1st Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:17 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:43 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 2nd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:37 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:23 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 3rd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:28 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:32 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 4th Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:01 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:59 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Third-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">9 of 20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5 of 14 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fourth-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 of 0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 of 1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Red-Zone Scores-Chances</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Field goals </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sacks By: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-19 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-17 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PAT Kicks</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Field Goals</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Points off turnovers</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
<br />
Our third down conversions rate was about 50%, compared to about 33% for RU. The turn-overs are, without a doubt the key. Poor QB? Better D? I lean to the latter. Rutgers fans might disagree.<br />
<br />
Another interesting number-- 1:13. UCF scored their go-ahead touchdown with 1:13 left on the clock. They ultimately lost. Penn State scored leaving 1:13 on the clock. Rutgers ultimately lost. Nothing special happened in the Akron game at 1:13. Penn State ran out the clock and ultimately won.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>INTANGIBLES:</b><br />
<br />
Rutgers won the toss and deferred.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-YBDKrTY2nJxrzTveZ4Z-LxndNBUDiqg3_ZtuG4V9d7KzsDatyPqEsq1gxfuv-uF1f4uFWZkvXkifXgok9F4yNDsOgHFX0BtzlPLp5Ldje5NrQ8cLQqp9JkUpTUakHFVoRAvXHFgZnAo/s1600/Knight-a-like.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-YBDKrTY2nJxrzTveZ4Z-LxndNBUDiqg3_ZtuG4V9d7KzsDatyPqEsq1gxfuv-uF1f4uFWZkvXkifXgok9F4yNDsOgHFX0BtzlPLp5Ldje5NrQ8cLQqp9JkUpTUakHFVoRAvXHFgZnAo/s1600/Knight-a-like.jpg" height="217" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that you, Octavius?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rutgers filled their stadium--53,744.<br />
<br />
Franklin is the first Penn State coach to go 3-0 in his first season since 1930.<br />
<br />
Penn State leads the all-time rivalry 23-2. PSU has never lost to Rutgers in New Jersey.<br />
<br />
<b>THE BIG (10) PICTURE:</b><br />
<br />
THE LOSERS:<br />
<br />
Purdue lost to Notre Dame 30-14.<br />
Indiana lost to Bowling Green 45-42.<br />
Maryland lost on a last second, 47 yard field goal to West-By-God-Virginia, 40-37.<br />
Iowa lost their requisite non-com game to Iowa State 20-17.<br />
Minnesota was horn-frogged by TCU, 30-7.<br />
Washington embarrassed Illinois 44-19. Not really that hard to shame them, though.<br />
<br />
THE NON-LOSERS:<br />
<br />
Urban Meyer made himself feel better by rolling up the score on Kent State, 66-0. He overcompensated his teams weakness by taking advantage of a team with greater weaknesses! Brilliant!<br />
<br />
THEM beat Miami(OH) 34-10.<br />
<br />
Nebraska bull-dozed the Fresno Bulldogs 55-19.<br />
<br />
Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Michigan State were off this week. I heard Northwestern still lost. And oh look, Gary Nova just threw another interception!<br />
<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/m-footbl-standings.html" target="_blank">2014-15 Football Standings</a></h2>
<table cellspacing="0" class="fbStandTable">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#0088ce"><td align="center" colspan="7"><span style="color: white; font-weight: bold;">EAST DIVISION</span></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #666666; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><td colspan="1"></td><td align="center" colspan="2">Overall</td><td align="center" colspan="2">Conference</td><td align="center" colspan="2">Division</td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #666666; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><td colspan="1"></td><td align="right">W-L</td><td align="right">%</td><td align="right">W-L</td><td align="right">%</td><td align="right">W-L</td><td align="right">%</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><td>Penn State</td><td align="right">3-0</td><td align="right">1.000</td><td align="right">1-0</td><td align="right">1.000</td><td align="right">1-0</td><td align="right">1.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td>Maryland</td><td align="right">2-1</td><td align="right">.667</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><td>Michigan</td><td align="right">2-1</td><td align="right">.667</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td>Ohio State</td><td align="right">2-1</td><td align="right">.667</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><td>Indiana</td><td align="right">1-1</td><td align="right">.500</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td>Michigan State</td><td align="right">1-1</td><td align="right">.500</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><td>Rutgers</td><td align="right">2-1</td><td align="right">.667</td><td align="right">0-1</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-1</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#0088ce"><td align="center" colspan="7"><span style="color: white; font-weight: bold;">WEST DIVISION</span></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #666666; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><td colspan="1"></td><td align="center" colspan="2">Overall</td><td align="center" colspan="2">Conference</td><td align="center" colspan="2">Division</td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #666666; color: white; font-weight: bold;"><td colspan="1"></td><td align="right">W-L</td><td align="right">%</td><td align="right">W-L</td><td align="right">%</td><td align="right">W-L</td><td align="right">%</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><td>Nebraska</td><td align="right">3-0</td><td align="right">1.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td>Illinois</td><td align="right">2-1</td><td align="right">.667</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><td>Iowa</td><td align="right">2-1</td><td align="right">.667</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td>Minnesota</td><td align="right">2-1</td><td align="right">.667</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><td>Wisconsin</td><td align="right">1-1</td><td align="right">.500</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td>Purdue</td><td align="right">1-2</td><td align="right">.333</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><td>Northwestern</td><td align="right">0-2</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td><td align="right">0-0</td><td align="right">.000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
Through all games of September 13.</div>
<br />
Penn State and Nebraska are the only undefeated teams in the conference!<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>SHEDDING TEARS:</b><br />
<br />
1. Georgia--is there ever a more over-rated SEC team year in and year out?<br />
2. USC--lost to BC 37-31.<br />
3. Hokies--after beating the Buckeyes, they fall to unranked East Carolina 28-21.</div>
<div>
4. MD--last second loss on a long field goal.<br />
5. Texas--lost to UCLA 20-17. They apparently <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/9/13/6145893/texas-forgets-how-coinflips-work-gives-ucla-ball-to-start-both-halves" target="_blank">screwed up the coin toss</a>, giving UCLA opening possession in BOTH halves.</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<b>LOOKING AHEAD:</b><br />
<br />
Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium next week to face the UMass Minutemen with a 4 PM kick-off. Coverage will be the Big Ten Network (BTN.)<br />
<br />
The Minutemen are 0-3 coming off a loss to Vanderbilt, who scored 14 in the final quarter to pull out the win.<br />
<br />
The season to date:</div>
<div>
<br />
L 30-7 vs. Boston College<br />
L 41-38 vs. Colorado<br />
L 34-31 vs. Vanderbilt<br />
<br />
Priorities: WIN! Work on the running game. Some reps for the back-up QB.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>GO STATE! BEAT MINUTEMEN!</i></b><br />
<br /></div>
psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-7874365084839084792014-09-11T21:46:00.000-04:002014-09-11T21:46:08.169-04:00Foe Pause: Knightly News EditionWith the lifting of the major NCAA sanctions this week, the fan excite-o-meter has gone from BLUE to SCARLET!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQXJyC5KlCVbkz1Otp9qvxQL-eyKZt-VwUtyDOe2F7MiU015PH4FS0Btgrb3Ioz00ZGqeRYzYp0PDseiLcem6fWBOQy9_ARQ1KfmskUE2llrklegDBZUbAqpazNTK3ClxHlbT0MlORKLL/s1600/Excite-o-meter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQXJyC5KlCVbkz1Otp9qvxQL-eyKZt-VwUtyDOe2F7MiU015PH4FS0Btgrb3Ioz00ZGqeRYzYp0PDseiLcem6fWBOQy9_ARQ1KfmskUE2llrklegDBZUbAqpazNTK3ClxHlbT0MlORKLL/s1600/Excite-o-meter.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Penn State will be footloose and sanction free for the first time since 2011.<br />
<br />
The betting line is 3 points, with the Lions favored to out-joust the Knights.<br />
<br />
Penn State leads the all-time series 22-2, with the last meeting being the infamous 59-34 win at Giant Stadium where Mike McQueary audibled late in the game and threw a TD pass that made then head coach Doug Graber feel like Joe was running the score up on him. The Scarlet Knights only wins came in 1988, a 21-16 game during Joe Paterno's first losing season of his career, and 1918 when Rutgers won 26-3. Hugo Bezdek was the coach and Penn State played 4 games that season, going 1-2-1.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Km1Rvi87PcCsMxB47MuhhVWrWv3qLgNE7FgH-Ly5BliQxzW-366yZbCiM-dgYO1Q2nn-Pbl8xmFw6uvnAgAXDZQXi7TLxPoupVEmv4AWfHaAGZHLng5G014cqUxIFLwVfjzHKlVKWzUL/s1600/RUready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Km1Rvi87PcCsMxB47MuhhVWrWv3qLgNE7FgH-Ly5BliQxzW-366yZbCiM-dgYO1Q2nn-Pbl8xmFw6uvnAgAXDZQXi7TLxPoupVEmv4AWfHaAGZHLng5G014cqUxIFLwVfjzHKlVKWzUL/s1600/RUready.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is not the history of a rivalry.<br />
<br />
Rutgers is 2-0 with a 41-38 win on the road over Washington State and a 38-25 victory over Howard.<br />
<br />
So what else do we know about this school in New Jersey?<br />
<br />
Ray Rice graduated from Rutgers. Just throwing that out there. Not Rutgers' fault. <br />
<br />
Louis Freeh is a graduate of Rutgers. Not Rutgers' fault.<br />
<br />
Rutgers was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766, making it the eighth oldest college in the United States. The school was renamed Rutgers in 1825 when Colonel Henry <strike>Blake</strike> Rutgers donated enough money to get the school named after himself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdNEGvbIyS-iK8HxEfig_Mokyd4n7dFuSr8vp4I6FyjRVyChiUy3rZDwExxm_LuiWq5I3b7CDFcbmf48n1Tz0086E5dQ-RJjEWkTKhD6zqXATlsBVfwjfV8Ws7W-5n_DXls4UtUAmkYTI/s1600/RutgersBirthplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdNEGvbIyS-iK8HxEfig_Mokyd4n7dFuSr8vp4I6FyjRVyChiUy3rZDwExxm_LuiWq5I3b7CDFcbmf48n1Tz0086E5dQ-RJjEWkTKhD6zqXATlsBVfwjfV8Ws7W-5n_DXls4UtUAmkYTI/s1600/RutgersBirthplace.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Rutgers is considered the Birthplace of College Football, as the first intercollegiate "football" game was won 6-4 by Rutgers over Princeton in 1869. It was also the first game telegraphed. It reportedly lasted six weeks, when horseback riders were sent out carrying advertisements to the citizens of New Jersey during time outs. This was the birth of the 30-hour time out.<br />
<br />
This is their first year in the Big Ten conference.<br />
<br />
I look to see a more focused Penn State team take the field against the Knights. Franklin appears to be a very goal oriented individual, and the Lions now have something to play for. And while a Final Four appearance is highly unlikely, a run at a Big Ten Title could be achievable.<br />
<br />
Of course, that starts with a W Saturday night in prime time.<br />
<br />
Unless Rutgers was sandbagging it against WSU and Howard, they do not appear to be defensively capable of holding the Hack Attack at bay. But they are averaging 39.5 points per game themselves. On paper, this could be a high scoring affair, but I suspect the Penn State Defense is the best defense they will face to date.<br />
<br />
Prediction: Penn State wins . . . 31-17.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGGePW4NGMFh511z3_n567ZKG9s2RyTHmO3fJvj20-qWTOJ829492JIbNwh3CBCnQDnIzKL-xTgrwSww1FjJqoXd0Xhc4j6D6Mk9puYzWU9w6-iRswv64CsTI0wz84Fq64c-wZCeJhtEJ/s1600/RedPowerRanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGGePW4NGMFh511z3_n567ZKG9s2RyTHmO3fJvj20-qWTOJ829492JIbNwh3CBCnQDnIzKL-xTgrwSww1FjJqoXd0Xhc4j6D6Mk9puYzWU9w6-iRswv64CsTI0wz84Fq64c-wZCeJhtEJ/s1600/RedPowerRanger.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i>GO STATE! BEAT KNIGHTS!</i></b>psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-4114730010098299352014-09-09T12:28:00.000-04:002014-09-09T12:28:57.778-04:00Quotable Quotes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRy6cw9ZcVVqRAh_2tR8xfIIDUsTNXoJVaT_taB2NaYjewvA28IpSUTlMsdnULT6tswL5H2W5Zm5xvZm6FXCtB9WD7n7ypo5HmONDJgMJmZkvtP6oHOuS5F8WnRqYA4r5EQ6jue7O-Gq2/s1600/BeaverCanyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRy6cw9ZcVVqRAh_2tR8xfIIDUsTNXoJVaT_taB2NaYjewvA28IpSUTlMsdnULT6tswL5H2W5Zm5xvZm6FXCtB9WD7n7ypo5HmONDJgMJmZkvtP6oHOuS5F8WnRqYA4r5EQ6jue7O-Gq2/s1600/BeaverCanyon.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Civil Celebration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here are some assorted comments in the aftermath of yesterday's announcement that the bowl band and scholarship sanctions would be lifted immediately:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.csnhouston.com/football-houston-texans/talk/obrien-happy-penn-state-sanctions-were-lifted" target="_blank">Bill O'Brien</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I think that’s great news for Penn State," said O'Brien, who spent the last two football seasons as the Nittany Lions' head coach. "Penn State is a fantastic place. It’s a great education, great football program, a lot of good people who have done a lot of great things over there over the last couple of years to make sure that they’ve learned from the past mistakes and understood that that’s a special place.<br />
"And so I feel very happy for Penn State and, mostly, I feel happy for the players and the coaching staff that’s there now."</blockquote>
Some have focused on the latter comment as an intentional snub of administration and perhaps even the fan base, but I'm not going to nitt-pick here.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://bwi.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=36&mid=174604621&sid=890&tid=174604387&style=1" target="_blank">James Franklin</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We are very appreciative of the opportunities the NCAA and Big Ten have provided with today's announcement," Franklin said. "This team plays for each other. We play for Penn State, our families, the former players, our students, alumni, fans and the community. We are so proud to represent Penn State and the Big Ten Conference and are working hard to prepare for our Big Ten opener at Rutgers." </blockquote>
Can this be the spark that takes the level of play of this team to the NEXT level? This could go either way--having something to play for may put more pressure on the players/coaches to win. Or it might just fire them up! We shall see this Saturday in prime time!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PS4RS" target="_blank">PS4RS</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We are very happy that some of the sanctions have been rescinded. This is great news for the football team, and the entire unfairly punished Penn State community. However, there are still wrongs to be righted. The Freeh conclusions are not supported by evidence, and they never should have been used as a pretext for sanctioning Penn State. We are disheartened by false rationalizations that Penn State has somehow changed or atoned to deserve this “reward.” Penn State athletics programs have ALWAYS demonstrated the highest level of integrity. Three years after their indictment, the three Penn State administrators have yet to have their day in court due to mysterious appeals by Penn State and clandestine document sealing by the PA court system. Prosecutor Frank Fina has publicly stated that there was no evidence to support the Freeh Report’s conclusion that Joe Paterno was aware of or participated in a cover up. Further, the NCAA’s new sexual assault reporting handbook instructs coaches around the country to do exactly what Paterno did in 2001. There is no basis for ANY of the sanctions and they must be entirely rescinded.”</blockquote>
AMEN!<br />
<br />
And last but not least, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto's_sleeping_giant_quote" target="_blank">Admiral Yamamoto</a>:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUjRcjtftWa9Gu1jlMOgp-6L7qH10RYm9XZ38-Lx_sesXSQCqjjeNCKRUi9BadP-GXWRtKVDyoX1m7lg4h_SYx6OYVWSpV-yQIhzMlJk_PcYdSuFarqMBVhWX5oGNjv0-aJuesonSRP0n/s1600/AdmEmmert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUjRcjtftWa9Gu1jlMOgp-6L7qH10RYm9XZ38-Lx_sesXSQCqjjeNCKRUi9BadP-GXWRtKVDyoX1m7lg4h_SYx6OYVWSpV-yQIhzMlJk_PcYdSuFarqMBVhWX5oGNjv0-aJuesonSRP0n/s1600/AdmEmmert.jpg" height="400" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-16989323076153049992014-09-08T20:05:00.001-04:002014-09-08T20:05:42.290-04:00Happy Days Are Here Again!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFPLnc8XiItmhofOroMq_gow0IaWKePrud5BRVRWg6-M_F9xa5d1XkjXumjur-rtYgXNv-ATIOClmoz10Q52vm5FCjIYZ69rYZqQM2hHJfzrmeTfSwNDycgCi7N-_FHDziRzyHa3ymyrD/s1600/GetOutofJail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFPLnc8XiItmhofOroMq_gow0IaWKePrud5BRVRWg6-M_F9xa5d1XkjXumjur-rtYgXNv-ATIOClmoz10Q52vm5FCjIYZ69rYZqQM2hHJfzrmeTfSwNDycgCi7N-_FHDziRzyHa3ymyrD/s1600/GetOutofJail.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, not completely free. . . $60 million dollars and 112 wins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The theme of the Blue Band Half-time show last Saturday "Happy Days in Happy Valley." It was a omen of things to come, as it was announced today that BOTH the scholarship reduction AND the bowl ban have been rescinded by the NCAA.<br />
<br />
According to this <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11489258/ncaa-drops-postseason-ban-penn-state-nittany-lions" target="_blank">ESPN</a> recap:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Penn State will be eligible for the postseason this year and will have all its scholarships returned next year, after the NCAA agreed Monday afternoon to again reduce sanctions stemming from the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Penn State's athletics integrity monitor, former Sen. George Mitchell, recommended both actions in his second annual report that gauges progress made by the university. Minutes after the report was announced, the NCAA said it would follow both recommendations immediately.</blockquote>
Woo-freaking Hoo! About time!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The school still must pay a $60 million fine, 111 wins under Joe Paterno -- and one win under interim coach Tom Bradley -- remain forfeited, and the program will remain under monitoring.</blockquote>
However, it appears the 60 million dollar fine <a href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/08/report-penn-states-60-million-fine-money-will-stay-in-pennsylvania/" target="_blank">will remain in Pennsylvania</a>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The state of Pennsylvania has won a legal battle with the NCAA, ensuring the $60 million in fine money to be paid by Penn State will remain instead. The NCAA had been fighting to spread the fine money around the nation toward child abuse awareness efforts, but the organization has filed to withdraw its fight and will allow the money to stay within Pennsylvania.</blockquote>
So only the vacated wins remains to be reversed. With the recent announcement of guidelines for athletic departments to follow--guidelines which Paterno actually followed before they were official guidelines--it remains a mystery how this final sanction can withstand the Paterno lawsuit which appears likely to continue.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the Big Ten conference is <a href="http://www.mcall.com/sports/college/psu/mc-penn-state-ncaa-sanctions-20140908-story.html#page=1" target="_blank">not so forgiving</a>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Big Ten also said that Penn State will continue to donate its share of conference bowl revenue (estimated at $13 million) to child-protections charities in Big Ten communities. Penn State will be eligible to receive its share of conference bowl revenue in 2016.</blockquote>
Wow! Just . . .wow. Unbelievable. How can the conference stand behind the its punishment of Penn State when the NCAA has backed off? Just freaking unbelievable. The greed and hatred for Penn State is just so completely obvious. If our BOT had half a spine, they would fight the conference on this one, and go after restoring Joe Paterno's victories.<br />
<br />
<b><i>WE ARE . . . SET FREE!</i></b><br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-80408200273401721782014-09-08T11:55:00.000-04:002014-09-08T11:55:11.129-04:00Football Funny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_Gn5vUoFGYZMu6gwMgG40DGgUqeO-NI6ohBCnbqL_RSojNI21rvscU7_Ko8nXM1u3I0uNG7Tkw4Mljfl4MyutU_FSDzi3oWkxW9foEpBpnwCelMfQWfudWrRNB3q3wxR-4wA-6SfLr0q/s1600/HateSeason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_Gn5vUoFGYZMu6gwMgG40DGgUqeO-NI6ohBCnbqL_RSojNI21rvscU7_Ko8nXM1u3I0uNG7Tkw4Mljfl4MyutU_FSDzi3oWkxW9foEpBpnwCelMfQWfudWrRNB3q3wxR-4wA-6SfLr0q/s1600/HateSeason.jpg" height="186" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-66418019364643751202014-09-07T22:18:00.000-04:002014-09-07T22:35:34.347-04:00Zip-Pity Doo Dah DayPenn State civilly outscored Akron 21-3 to move to 2-0 on the 2014 season. It was not a pretty sight, but it was not exactly an ugly win. And it sure as heck beat a pretty loss!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLXVHaCJgD699j99eKDOjja2CWEXqvpRLDur-BB7lj8Hm_RIDWKd-sCRr_7sCxnyIKpm_ub99nUoR0PH1tQz9S96AIQAmfaClXmt7NVzPVIiTWysiIA5v10zVAkRmYCQR5BdnQ-tfODKa/s1600/Zip-a-dee-doo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLXVHaCJgD699j99eKDOjja2CWEXqvpRLDur-BB7lj8Hm_RIDWKd-sCRr_7sCxnyIKpm_ub99nUoR0PH1tQz9S96AIQAmfaClXmt7NVzPVIiTWysiIA5v10zVAkRmYCQR5BdnQ-tfODKa/s1600/Zip-a-dee-doo.jpg" height="400" width="371" /></a></div>
<br />
The invading Zips seemed hell-bent on raining on James Franklin's home opener, as the visitors marched down the field like a hot knife through butter. They zipped this way and that way and ended up first and goal at the PSU 7 yard line before half the student population even made it to their seats. But the Lion defense tightened up, and after consecutive sacks, Akron had to settle for a 3 point attempt. Kicker Tom O'Leary (kind of ironic right there, doncha think?) missed the 31-yarder and the game was still even.<br />
<br />
After an exchange of possessions, the Lions took over with good field position at their own 42 yard line. Hackenberg went to work and did that thing he does with his arm. Passes of 20 yards to Lewis and 15 yards to Hamilton were sandwiched around a one yard rush by Zwinak. Hack than scored his first of three TD passes with a strike to a wide open Belton that fooled the Akron defense and reportedly Louis Freeh as well.<br />
<br />
The half would end with the score still being 7-0, and the crowd a bit uneasy. You hate close games like this when one play could turn things ugly in a hurry, and our secondary has been prone to giving up a few big plays now and then.<br />
<br />
But there was no breathing room as the second half opened as Penn State fumbled on it's first possession, setting the Roos up with a short field at the PSU 41 yard line. The defense bent a little but didn't break, and Robert Stein (I guess O'Leary lost his job, at least for the moment) booted the 28 yarder through to make it a four point game.<br />
<br />
After a change of possessions, Hack hit Jesse James for a 14-3 point lead. James would catch another pass in the fourth quarter to seal the victory at 21-3, covering the final game-time spread of 14.<br />
<br />
So what can I say?<br />
<br />
The running game just can't seem to get off the ground. It's a reflex to blame it on the offensive line, but the O-line does seem to be able to pass block pretty darn well. We did manage to break the century mark--which surprised me. Watching the game, I'd have thought we had under 60. We actually seemed to run better out of the wildcat, but that was in the second half and we may have worn the Akron line down by then. Reading the message boards, the wildcat formation splits Nittany Nation between those that love it and those that hate it. I don't love it, but if it works, I'm all for it. I wonder if the playbook doesn't have more options from that formation, particularly with Hack split wide and still on the field. We did see a throw back pass to Hack, but he couldn't make the catch. Maybe more exciting possibilities await when Big Ten teams come to play.<br />
<br />
Hack had two more INTs--not necessarily bad throws as much as BAD decisions. He also took a sack after having almost 9 seconds to find a receiver. I think those things will come in time--better decision making.<br />
<br />
And the bottom line here Lion fans . . . we have played two games against quality opponents. Akron came to play and played us hard. Maybe they are not McNeese State, but they will win some ball games this year. Central Florida was coming off a great season with a veteran head coach and was a few votes away from cracking the Top 25 preseason. And despite a minus 5 turn-over margin, WE ARE UNDEFEATED. Not a lot of our conference brethren can say the same.<br />
<br />
<b>BY THE NUMBERS:</b><br />
<br />
<table border="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#c0c0c0"><td><center>
<b>Team Statistics</b>
</center>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#00008b">
<td align="left" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b> Team Totals </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>AKRON </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PSU </b></span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>FIRST DOWNS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">17 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">27 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">12 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">16 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Penalty </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS RUSHING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">69 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">106</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Attempts </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">25 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">31 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Rush </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2.8 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3.4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Gained Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">89 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">130 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Lost Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">24 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS PASSING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">208 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">319 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Completions-Attempts-Int </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">24-46-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">22-37-2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Attempt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4.5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8.6 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Completion </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8.7 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">14.5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">277 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">425</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Total offense plays </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">71 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">68 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Gain Per Play </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3.9 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6.2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumbles: Number-Lost</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Penalties: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7-64 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-25 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PUNTS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7-331 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-244 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">47.3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">48.8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">40.9 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">45.4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Inside 20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 50+ Yards </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Fair catch </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>KICKOFFS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-130 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-247 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">65.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">61.8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">38.5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">46.5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-17-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-5-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5.7 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-36-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-53-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">18.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">26.5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-52-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Miscellaneous Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Possession Time</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">29:21 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">30:39 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 1st Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:15 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:45 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 2nd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:32 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:28 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 3rd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 4:10 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">10:50 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 4th Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 6:24 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 8:36 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Third-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5 of 17 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4 of 10</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fourth-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 of 2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 of 0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Red-Zone Scores-Chances</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Field goals </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sacks By: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-8 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-14 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PAT Kicks</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Field Goals</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Points off turnovers</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Penn State continues to look better on the stat sheet than the scoreboard. I really think that will get better as the season goes on, but perhaps it's something to worry about.<br />
<br />
Time of possession was nearly equal with a slight edge to PSU. Akron held the ball longer in the first half, but PSU dominated the second. Can't complain about that.<br />
<br />
We only converted 4-10 third downs, but we had 27 first downs--meaning that we moved the ball well on first and second downs that we only needed third down about a third of the time.<br />
<br />
We were vastly improved in the penalty category this week.<br />
<br />
<b>INTANGIBLES:</b><br />
<br />
The crowd was listed at 97,354, but it didn't look that full.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXz5rr4cdBMXeuqCQFQsClliPnU0dC-r6-hs34ycbFCIZJp93Tbp2I8S_FEwBAGEpTa4ApKQ9Iyd2Ik9mo5ghqFQoVXeFv8rz3y25PJKtIgYw9fIWGm0s7nTUQQInC4W5ZRNzthNgiIqp/s1600/AkronCap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXz5rr4cdBMXeuqCQFQsClliPnU0dC-r6-hs34ycbFCIZJp93Tbp2I8S_FEwBAGEpTa4ApKQ9Iyd2Ik9mo5ghqFQoVXeFv8rz3y25PJKtIgYw9fIWGm0s7nTUQQInC4W5ZRNzthNgiIqp/s1600/AkronCap.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The temperature was warm--not unusual for this time of year, but it could have been a factor if Akron could run the ball and control the clock. Depth is not our strong suit right now.<br />
<br />
The Blue Band Drum Major stuck both flips. In fact, the opening flip may be the best I've seen in a while. New feature twirler. Meh.<br />
<br />
James Franklin is 2-0, baby. Penn State is 5-0 over Akron all-time.<br />
<br />
The 1994 UNDEFEATED PSU Football was honored at halftime!<br />
<br />
Penn State won the toss and deferred.<br />
<br />
<b>THE BIG (TEN) PICTURE:</b><br />
<br />
Well, well, well. Pretty rough weekend for the BIG party of 14.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the winners . . .<br />
<br />
Iowa survived Ball State 17-13.<br />
<br />
Nebraska squeaked by FCS McNeese State 31-24, scoring on a 58 yard catch and run to score with 20 seconds left in the game. Makes a 21-3 outing against Zippy look pretty darn good right about now.<br />
<br />
Illinois beat Western Kentucky 42-34 but trailed 27-21 going into the fourth quarter.<br />
<br />
Minnesota held off Middle Tennessee State, prevailing 35-24--but they were up 28-0 at the half!<br />
<br />
Maryland outscored South Florida 24-17, but trailed going into the fourth quarter as well.<br />
<br />
Rutgers defeated Howard (who Akron pasted 41-0) by a score of 38-25.<br />
<br />
And Wisconsin bounced back by pummeling Western Illinois 37-3.<br />
<br />
And then there were the losers . . .<br />
<br />
Purdue tanked against Central Michigan, losing 38-17.<br />
<br />
MSU had arguably the toughest opponent in Oregon with the Ducks ranked 3rd at the time. Michigan State trailed early, stormed back and seemed to be in control. And then they collapsed. Epic-ally. Final Score: 46-27. I wonder if D'Antonio has ever had that many points put up against one of his teams?<br />
<br />
Notre Dame took THEM out to the woodshed, blanking the wolverines 31-0 in South Bend. Not even a field goal. I guess they were still upset about Notre Dame ending the series. The Irish might want to rethink that.<br />
<br />
And the Big's Marquee Stud, Ohio $tate, ranked number 8, fell to an unranked Hokie team 35-21. Meyer started his <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2014/09/everything_ohio_states_urban_m.html" target="_blank">post game presser</a> with this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And also our opponent, really did a good job preparing for us and exposed us a little bit, where some of the weaknesses right now on our team. And it was rather obvious what<b><i><span style="color: red;"> it</span></i></b> is.</blockquote>
Really? What was IT? The coaching, perhaps? Or are you throwing someone else under a Colum-BUS.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't have said this in 2011, but I am SOOOO glad that man isn't coaching at Penn State.<br />
<br />
Indiana was off, and no one noticed.<br />
<br />
<b>SHEDDING TEARS:</b><br />
<br />
1. Stanford lost to USC--the famous Pat Haden game where the USC AD came down from the booth to "talk" to the referees. And he's on the selection committee!<br />
<br />
2. McNeese State--a few bad tackles away from OT. Tsk. tsk.<br />
<br />
3. The Big Ten--see above<br />
<br />
4. Texas--Longhorns beaten 41-7 by BYU<br />
<br />
5. UMass--41-38 loss to Colorado<br />
<br />
<b>LOOKING AHEAD:</b><br />
<br />
Penn State travels to Rutgers to open the Big Ten season next week.<br />
<br />
Game Time is 8 PM and the coverage is the Big Ten Network.<br />
<br />
Rutgers is 2-0 with a 41-38 win on the road over Washington State and a 38-25 victory over Howard.<br />
<br />
We'll preview this game in a Foe Pause later this week.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Jp2QjEYr6W8" width="560"></iframe>
<b><i>GO STATE! BEAT KNIGHTS!</i></b><br />
<br />psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-63325864116148728532014-09-04T22:06:00.000-04:002014-09-04T22:06:09.696-04:00Foe Pause: Akron EditionSo here we are (PENN STATE!), ready to face Akron this Saturday in a noon showdown at Paterno Field inside Beaver Stadium.<br />
<br />
What do you know about the Zips?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN5WdW6R-kJnkvTIfLXHA__Ca-knka1WukBSVlPxtSkMbHZjy7Ico117FnRbMdK4dtMiDC2oDLwh_geuc3ofIJ8bZvVzD2W72g-Ag9GR-lNY2tnY93ergYabMkcLz3eW_sMEb3g3uQbWk/s1600/FeartheRoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN5WdW6R-kJnkvTIfLXHA__Ca-knka1WukBSVlPxtSkMbHZjy7Ico117FnRbMdK4dtMiDC2oDLwh_geuc3ofIJ8bZvVzD2W72g-Ag9GR-lNY2tnY93ergYabMkcLz3eW_sMEb3g3uQbWk/s1600/FeartheRoo.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't know about you, but when I hear "Roo" this is what comes to my mind . . .<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
From Wikipedia, we learn about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akron_Zips" target="_blank">history of the Zips</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Zips name is unique in college athletics and comes from "zippers", rubber overshoes made by the BF Goodrich Company that were popular in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1925, a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the university's athletic teams. Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies, Kangaroos, and Cheveliers. The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for "Zippers". Athletic director Kenneth Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to Zips in 1950. The university's mascot is "Zippy", a kangaroo. Zippy is one of only a few female college mascots in the United States.</blockquote>
Female? I did not know that. I'm not about to check and verify that fact either.<br />
<br />
Of course, until this week, I did not know that Terry Bowden was the head coach of the Akron Zippers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JaSAlYs2lVN9d0a72OPDj7oe_-1ITdqs82v1_IEU7uPiG4bEqJgRnaET-9XJVFmWgXgIydxKSadTc6rZdmFm-mP6JNSojjCjYS8_5U1oqtSfoOqkJHh3g2LhAuFmZ335Bmezapm4FCsu/s1600/TerryTubby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JaSAlYs2lVN9d0a72OPDj7oe_-1ITdqs82v1_IEU7uPiG4bEqJgRnaET-9XJVFmWgXgIydxKSadTc6rZdmFm-mP6JNSojjCjYS8_5U1oqtSfoOqkJHh3g2LhAuFmZ335Bmezapm4FCsu/s1600/TerryTubby.jpg" height="400" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fear the Terry-tubbie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Okay, seriously, we have a game against Akron that some have called a "trap game." You know the deal. Team Goliath comes off a big emotional win. Goliath is favored to beat David by a large margin. Doesn't take David seriously. David takes advantage of the situation and down goes the giant. KaPow! Upset.<br />
<br />
But what Goliath didn't have, was a coach like James Franklin. Driven. Ambitious. Energetic. Let's go to the tape on this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oceAwQk-aiQ" width="560"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4t9Ttsf2Rr4" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
This is HIS home opener. Sure, the team snaps the ball, kicks the ball, throws the ball, catches the ball, tackles and blocks. The team wins the game. But this 2014 Nittany Lion football team is HIS team. The beauty of this . . . he doesn't think of it that way. <br />
<br />
If you ever asked Paterno about his 409 wins, he wouldn't talk about <i>his</i> wins. He was always uncomfortable with that conversation. He would talk about Penn State's wins. He didn't win any games. Mike Reid won games. Chuck Fusina won games. Kerry Collins and Ki-Jana Carter won games. His teams won games. That's the kind of coach you want leading your team--one who knows deep down that his wins and the team's wins are one and the same, but he only sees the team. <br />
<br />
Last Saturday, the team just won the game, and Franklin's looking for Ficken! He's got a million things to do, but he stops to engage the loyal fans that came to watch in a WE ARE PENN STATE cheer. The only time coaches like that look in the mirror is when the team fails--because they failed.<br />
<br />
There will be mistakes. Maybe another INT. Maybe some more fumbles. Clock mismanagement. Maybe a blown coverage. Akron did pass for over 400 yards against Howard. Howard who? Stern? Hughes? The Duck? I'm not really sure, but some sportswriters think that means they are going to score a lot of points against Penn State this week. We shall see.<br />
<br />
Akron did put up 41 points. Their QB Pohl threw three touchdown passes in his first five throws. They didn't score again until the third quarter. All but seven points were scored in the first quarter of each half. Looks like one of the keys to this game is not to let them zip out to a fast start. Better yet, I hope Penn State scores early (and often). <br />
<br />
I'm reluctant to say this will be a rout, because we just don't know that much about these two teams after one week of play. But I do think we cover the spread in a win.<br />
<br />
<b><i>GO STATE! BEAT ZIPS!</i></b>psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-655867165191867272014-09-04T10:00:00.001-04:002014-09-04T10:02:16.620-04:00Dunkin Donut And Coffee<br />
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<br />
Someone left a sacrifice on my Penn State "altar."<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
I did not know Dunkin Donuts was the PREFERRED COFFEE of Penn State Athletics. You learn something new every day!psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-23423802529680757242014-09-02T22:27:00.000-04:002014-09-04T19:44:02.144-04:00Blue Band Budgets and Passe PaternoDid you hear the Blue Band playing at Croke Park?<br />
<br />
No you did not.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Few, the Proud, The Lucky to Be There at all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You heard a pep band. A mere fraction of a Blue Band.<br />
<br />
You didn't get Moe without Larry or Curly. You didn't get The Beatle (Ringo without the rest.) You basically got The Steeler (Ben Roethlisberger without the rest of the offense.) You got 33 members of the Blue Band.<br />
<br />
About 10%.<br />
<br />
I can only imagine the issue was money.<br />
<br />
So I did a little research. The cost of "student" housing per the <a href="http://psu.crokeparkclassic.com/students/" target="_blank">PSU website</a> starts at $289 per person for four days and three nights, three breakfasts and a game ticket. <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2013/07/cutting_costs_for_penn_state_f.html" target="_blank">This article</a> on travel costs projects airfare at about $900 round trip. <br />
<br />
So for the sake of argument, and since I really have no clue how much it might actually cost, let's assume a cost of $1500 per Blue Band Member. Now, there are 315 Blue Band Members--but 33 have already been paid for. So we are looking to finance 282 additional members, and probably some support staff, so lets round it off at 300.<br />
<br />
300 x $1500 = $450,000.<br />
<br />
WOW.<br />
<br />
But wait a minute. Not so fast. Not so fast.<br />
<br />
According to this <a href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/26/report-marching-bands-will-carry-huge-price-tag-for-national-title-game/" target="_blank">NBC Sports Report</a> on the cost of marching bands at bowl games, it cost LSU $450,00 to send 529 to New Orleans. My God, they could drive themselves there--that's just lodging, food and ticket prices!<br />
<br />
The Blue Band normally travels to Bowl Games each year. They have not traveled to one in two years and likely won't be heading to one this year. I don't know where the money ordinarily comes to finance the Blue Band Bowl trips, but surely that source could have been tapped for this trip. (It may have come out of the bowl money the school earns, which of course, would not be available for this non-bowl game.) But even if that is where the money ordinarily comes from, I find it odd that a University with over ONE BILLION in endowments can't find a half a million dollars <i>somewhere</i> to send the full Blue Band to Ireland, which essentially might be the ONLY bowl game this class of musicians ever has a chance to enjoy (barring a reduction in sanctions and of course, the team actually being bowl eligible next year.) They are already saving $70,000 by cancelling TailGreat.<br />
<br />
Can you tell I used to play in the marching band?<br />
<br />
And then there is this article that claims that "<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2181851-james-franklin-shows-joe-paterno-style-football-never-coming-back-to-penn-state" target="_blank">James Franklin Shows Joe Paterno-Style Football Never Coming Back to Penn State</a>".<br />
<br />
And what exactly does that mean? <br />
<br />
Penn State will no longer have high graduation rates?<br />
<br />
Penn State will no longer be in the Top 10 or 15 Universities in winning percentage all time?<br />
<br />
Here is the author's premise:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
That was made clear Saturday as Franklin bet all his chips on the arm of sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg and had his faith rewarded with a game-winning drive and the first 400-yard passing game in school history. <br />
<br />
The bad news for Penn State fans is that if the Nittany Lions are to have more joyous days like this, it will all be on Hackenberg. Penn State rushed for only 57 yards on 28 totes, a 2.0 average. <br />
<br />
Paterno didn’t obsess over the three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust game quite as much as Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, but he was always content to win without airing out his offensive attack.</blockquote>
Wow. <br />
<br />
With just one game of analysis, we can see that Penn state won't be gaining any rushing yards this year against anybody. We won't improve in that category obviously.<br />
<br />
And what I found most interesting was the characterization of Paterno and a rewrite of history. The writer obviously doesn't know his Penn State history, or he would know that Penn State's FIRST national championship team in 1982 was Paterno's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/31/sports/penn-state-at-a-glance.html" target="_blank">first team to gain more passing yards in a season than it gained rushing</a>.<br />
<br />
Hmmm. Maybe Franklin is more like Paterno than we thought!<br />
<br />
I wonder if this writer predicted Dewey to defeat Truman? Or maybe he would have written that Japan would take over the world after Pearl Harbor.<br />
<br />
Nice Try.psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-81897652779011840672014-09-01T20:16:00.000-04:002014-09-01T22:07:14.256-04:00Shoop! There It Is!Having been blogging about Penn State football since the mid 1990's, you'd think I would finally be able to post a game recap without forgetting something. As if!<br />
<br />
But while thinking back over the game notes, I realized I hadn't mentioned how great a job Bob Shoop did as defensive coordinator. The second half was tarnished a bit by the performance of Holman at QB, but then those things happen. When you prepare for one type of QB, and then suddenly face another, it's not always easy to adjust for that. And Holman certainly looked like a better passer.<br />
<br />
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<br />
So here are some more thoughts that I forgot to hit yesterday:<br />
<br />
* Zettle is a FORCE.<br />
<br />
* Penn State played the 1st quarter with no headset communication. Maybe that contributed to the disparity between the stats and the points. Apparently, the NCAA doesn't have rules like the NFL, which would have equalized the situation by not allowing UCF to use their headsets. Despite the set back, we prevailed.<br />
<br />
* Penn State had TWO receivers over 150 yards on the day. That's the first time in school history!<br />
<br />
* Ficken Kickin Good--we all know he hit the game winner, but he was 4-4 on the day!<br />
<br />
* Forgot to mention the parachutists--the PSU guy hit the stadium, but the UCF rep landed along some train tracks off the mark! Talk about your omens from the sky!<br />
<br />
* Did anyone notice how well we did on first downs? I meant to look back on this but forgot. Especially in the first half, we kicked butt on first down, leaving a LOT of 2nd and short situations. If you look at the second down situations in the first half, Penn State had 5 second and one's, 2 second and two's, and was second and six or less 11 out of 14 second downs. (One second and six was actually a second and one that became a second and six after a five yard penalty.) In the second half, there were 11 second down opportunities, and PSU was 2nd and five or less 5 of those times with three second and one's.<br />
<br />
* The running game didn't generate much yardage, but as you can see above, it didn't have to in order to keep the sticks moving.<br />
<br />
* Hamilton and Ficken pulled in Big Ten Players of the Week Honors--not something I forgot, but worth noting at this juncture.<br />
<br />
Some great articles were written across the pond. <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/it-s-big-it-s-noisy-and-hack-is-one-heck-of-a-player-1.1913317" target="_blank">Johnny Watterson of The Irish Times</a> writes:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But first the cast and inventory: two parachutists, one on the pitch the other on the railway track; a choir of 17; two three-storey sized flags; two marching bands; three Irish Army soldiers and four marines, all bearing flags; a team of Penn State dancers and two teams of cheerleaders; soft drinks engineers; chair arranging executives; four lieutenants of the tape measure; two team rosters of 100 players each; eight team captains; 24-ish coaches and two F16s drowning out the Star Spangled Banner. Gridiron loves its hardware. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But Penn State had a quarterback called Christian Hackenberg. “Hack”, a young man in just his second season, threw for 454 yards on Saturday, breaking Zack Mills’s single-game school record of 399 yards. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The most important of those yards came in the run-up to Ficken’s winning field goal as “Hack”, with composure beyond his years, engineered the territory and kept the ball in Penn [State] hands. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As it sailed over the posts at the Hill end on a trajectory towards Nally, Croke Park became the Bull Run in Pamp lona. The Penn State bench burst on to the pitch and cheerleaders were thrown in the air.</blockquote>
<a href="http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/croke-park-lights-up-as-sport-and-theatre-collide-30549413.html" target="_blank">Aisling Crowe</a> describes it as theater and sport colliding:
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It was a jaw dropping, awe inspiring sight when first glimpsing the transformed interior of the stadium before the University of Central Florida clashed with the Penn State University. It was Croke Park but not as we know it. The surreal panorama spread out before your eyes. A shrunken pitch surrounded by athletic cheerleaders, acrobatically somersaulting into dangerous positions, marching bands putting a brass spin on some classics including the theme tune to The Sunday Game and flagbearers, mascots and whatever else was needed in the way of support.<br />
The truly awesome scene was in the middle of the pitch where 200 athletes prepared to begin their college season, hopes and dreams spread out before them and the glory of last season behind champions University of Central Florida. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The clock counted down the minutes to kick off, and a parachutist clad in the Penn State blue and white landed in the middle of the pitch. The UCF Knights parachutist went missing in action, his radar slightly wonky. He came up a little short of the pitch and landed on the train line behind Hill 16. Saturday afternoon shoppers suffered the convenience that shadows the commuter daily as trains were delayed while the errant knight was rescued. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The NFL may be America's game but the college version is giving it a run for its money.<br />
This may have been a spectacle but it was also a serious sport. Every tackle, every intercept, every pass that found a runner was greeted with a roar the like of which is usually only heard when the referee blows the final whistle in an All-Ireland final. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Anyone with dismissive attitudes towards American football would have had their prejudices seriously challenged by the on-pitch action. The first collision from the opening kick off saw the helmet of one of the Nittany Lions fly through the air, knocked from a head with the force of the impact. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
They followed Flynn's advice to the letter in Croke Park with razzle dazzle to beat Banagher but the sequins were not some frippery tacked on as a distraction. Sport and theatre collide with spectacular results in American football. The sparkle and the show are an integral part of the spectacle but there is real steel behind the stardust that was sprinkled on Dublin yesterday. </blockquote>
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
The author had Sam Franklin kicking the winning field goal, but otherwise it was a good report.<br />
<br />
And if you are really bored, here is an Irish <a href="http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056985814&page=36" target="_blank">message board</a> with some locals regaling their thoughts such as these:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
That's was a great game! My first time ever seeing live football, only got sucked in in the last few years. Now I reeeeeally want to see if I can get tickets to one of the Wembley games! The Penn State support was great, really cool to be in the thick of it. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Fantastic game. Made a converted out of my brother who begrudgingly came along, moaning right up to the start about how ****e AF is. He was screaming at the pitch at the end and has just called me to find out when the next one is.. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Penn State head coach stayed for a little while by the tunnel to start up chants with the fans as he left the field, crazy guy [He's a WILD and CRAZY guy!]</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Just home from a thoroughly enjoyable day. Went with Penn State in all our bets, all came in, Outright win, 1st Touchdown and over 43.5. Some show, great entertainment and at least the rain stayed off. Managed to get a vid of the National anthem and the F-16's too. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Fecking savage day. 8th game I've been to (3 college, 5 NFL) and first I've seen settled by the final play. Had the over backed too so happy out. Pity it wasn't in the Aviva, looked silly looking down on an empty hill all day, mind you, the ESPN crew did a great job of avoiding that. Jesse James is a legend, plus that WR, thing he was number 7 for Penn. Great day out. Penn state fans were a credit. Really, really great day. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Apart from the empty stand and rip off programme, great day. Sat with some Penn State fans amongst the UCF hoarde in a great spot. Wife very pregnant and we had planned to ship a few mins before the end. Glad I didn't, what a finish! Super atmosphere, some slick game play from QB#14 and WR#7 for Penn. The Wife got right into it too but was puzzled why the game, apart from stoppages, just seem to pause quite often? When I told her it was for commercial breaks she cracked up 😁 The noise was cool, the F16s very cool, mexican wave fun and I cannot wait for the NFL reg season to K.O!!! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Really enjoyed that yesterday. Penn State fans were great even if I was cheering for UCF. Great second half of football. Not sure what it looked like on TV but looking around, it felt quite cavernous. My mate was more interested in the gargle but I really got into it. [Gotta love the gargle!]</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Great day out - great game. First time to go to a game "in the flesh" - absolutely loved it. First two qrts I thought Penn State were gonna walk away it (despite only leading by a single score). UCF's rushing game was poor and the passing game was non-existant - only for their defence , they would have been buried. 3rd & 4th Qrt's - UCF's Qrtback remembered he could throw and the drama went up a notch. To have the game decided on the final play with 3 secs left on the clock - just brilliant (even if I was a tiny bit gutted for UCF). Will definitely go to the next one (if/when it happens). </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Good day. One of the closest games I've seen live, score wise. Atmosphere was okay were I was sitting . Wish I had a chance to do this every week. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Great game. Really enjoyed it, and was a bargain for e20. My seats were great. Very happy that it was close, as it was a good way to show my friends from here the sport. A blowout would have sucked. . . .A few small things about it did bother me though. The quality of the replays was shocking. I remember a big important offensive PI call happened, and I looked up to see the replay of it, but all they showed was the QB throwing the ball... Hill 16 being closed was also odd and looked awful behind the goal. That last field goal was one of the most exciting finishes to a game this weekend, and will have been all over sports highlight reels in the states last night, and the backdrop is an awful, empty terrace, which is a little embarrassing. The PA system was also terrible, especially for the ref. Could barely make out what was being said half the time. [Sounds like a "true" PSU fan--c/o replays, empty seats and the sound system!]</blockquote>
I have yet to read any reports of "bad" PSU fans. And the reports from Penn Stater's sound like they were treated exceptionally well by the locals.
psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-59439797921114856782014-08-31T19:49:00.000-04:002014-08-31T23:09:09.178-04:00Old, New, Borrowed, and BlueThe Old.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj_049ML2ebq87mseXWLVvwuSdK46Bs4lu_H8JMkK_JEYsmts74rT6CXTHlFEa-PSnVRK00-Ml_7IQkotX98nffksLIOSPPtsOitDukGgFSE1hDrzHfZ7bvtpsbyRP1yF52awEB59gEBH/s1600/SeparatedatBirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj_049ML2ebq87mseXWLVvwuSdK46Bs4lu_H8JMkK_JEYsmts74rT6CXTHlFEa-PSnVRK00-Ml_7IQkotX98nffksLIOSPPtsOitDukGgFSE1hDrzHfZ7bvtpsbyRP1yF52awEB59gEBH/s1600/SeparatedatBirth.jpg" height="173" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same. I saw several pundits predicting a close game between PSU and UCF--even going so far as to say the difference could come down to a field goal. Freaking <strike>psychotics</strike> psychics! <br />
<br />
My first thought--God I hope it doesn't come down to a Sam Ficken field goal.<br />
<br />
I know it was James Franklin on the sideline, but seeing what happened on the field--a clearly better team missing and wasting opportunities, letting an under-matched opponent hang around to take advantage of mistakes and penalties, and then depending on a last second field goal to pull out a win in a game that you led for all but 1:13 on the clock--made me think JOE PATERNO. Somewhere, he is smiling at the old school outcome of this Croke Park Classic.<br />
<br />
I know it gets old--Penn State fans bitching about the refs and bad calls, but for the love of God, can you stop giving us so much fodder to chew on???? And the worst part? This wasn't even a crew of inept Big Ten refs. Offensive PI? Give me a break. You know it's bad when even the inept and anti-PSU biased announcers don't think there was a penalty. Granted, the roughing the kicker penalty was probably a gift for PSU, but YOU KNOW that call goes either way, and I personally think it was a make-up call for the unsportsmanlike conduct on the kick-off. Yeah, mouthing off after your helmet was torn off was definitely in poor taste and a bad decision, but a 15-yarder? How about a warning, officer?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46mvVHpUBOm7hdBehqo4PqXYbZj1c_wV8zC9HK3DeafERDGlGgtzQVpSlMTuZvec2W-WtRulFNC2_AdVQSAHJ9spI6ukJeppkbrTQ4XaFzll3KAsqLGaxMrsEg7zXXkkqrxthiwyHL_0Z/s1600/holding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46mvVHpUBOm7hdBehqo4PqXYbZj1c_wV8zC9HK3DeafERDGlGgtzQVpSlMTuZvec2W-WtRulFNC2_AdVQSAHJ9spI6ukJeppkbrTQ4XaFzll3KAsqLGaxMrsEg7zXXkkqrxthiwyHL_0Z/s1600/holding.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"That ain't holdin. I just giving you a big ole hug. I love you man!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The New.<br />
<br />
James Franklin's debut was not illustrious or overly impressive, but we must temper our criticism against the back-drop. It was the first game of the season. Mistakes will be made. He seemed to mismanage the time clock at the ends of both halves, but the final result was still a win. And while the gaffe at the end of the first half didn't cost us any points, you would like to believe that had we been playing Ohio State or Michigan State, that he would have chosen to punt. But given that UCF was offensively inept (at that point), and he had a chance to put some more points on the board, I don't know that his decision was actually a bad one. Could have been. Wasn't in the final analysis.<br />
<br />
None of Franklin's bad choices were as bad as O'Leary's decision to start de novo with DiNovo at quarterback. Thank God for that! It was a tale of two different halves, as Holman came in and almost stole this game away from Christian Hackenberg.<br />
<br />
Speaking of Hack, he notched a new PSU record with 454 yards, going 32 for 47 on the day. Part of this was due to the lack of a running game. But defense was supposed to be a strength of this UCF team, with most of the D back from last year and almost the entire secondary intact. Our offensive line looked shaky in the early going, but seemed to get better as the game progressed. Hack was a little gimpy late in the game, and hopefully those are just minor growing pains.<br />
<br />
We seemed to have some trouble maintaining footing. I blame this on Spider retiring. Not sure who replaced him, but that dude has some work cut out for him.<br />
<br />
The Lions won the Dan Rooney Trophy . . . a new piece of hardware to add to our collection, and much nicer than the hideous Land Grant Monstrosity that will up for grabs at the end of the season.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw8Az47soBi7QO7BkwWZcUFqxeuUvZ1lFPomVVF03oEm8BSFDEI_03DC1s6Q9m3xNOajSQrcXelCDW_xMJQXe19RVFU_oCcKlr5I_Z8AFmE_JsfRiEZPkfrvEsxJIxMcKgWO_iXpCxFnN/s1600/DanRooneyTrophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw8Az47soBi7QO7BkwWZcUFqxeuUvZ1lFPomVVF03oEm8BSFDEI_03DC1s6Q9m3xNOajSQrcXelCDW_xMJQXe19RVFU_oCcKlr5I_Z8AFmE_JsfRiEZPkfrvEsxJIxMcKgWO_iXpCxFnN/s1600/DanRooneyTrophy.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Borrowed.<br />
<br />
Thank you Dublin for allowing us to desecrate your hallowed "football" sod with our American form of soccer. I liked the use of pitchforks to replace our divots.<br />
<br />
The Blue.<br />
<br />
Although they sported the away game white unis, the BLUE and WHITE prevailed in a 26-24 thriller that was much closer than it should have been. Penn State really dominated the first half, but had only a 7 point lead to show for it. Poor refereeing, players tripping on divots, and turnovers seemed to keep the knights in the game. Holman sparked their offense in the second half, and that may also hint to the lack of depth we have due to sanctions. This game could have been a disaster had we played in the heat and humidity of Orlando.<br />
<br />
James Franklin sported a blue ball cap on and off, early in the game. I've never seen a picture of him wearing a hat on the sidelines, but come November, he may need that.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/083014aaa.html" target="_blank">PSU website</a> has this quote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"There was only a minute or so left in the game, and I looked across the sideline and there wasn't doubt in anybody's eye. Everybody believed. They believed in Hack. They believed in Ficken," Franklin said.</blockquote>
I have to admit I teared up when he kicked that final field goal. Way to go, Sam!<br />
<br />
<b>BY THE NUMBERS:</b><br />
<br />
<table border="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#c0c0c0"><td><center>
<b>Team Statistics</b>
</center>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#00008b">
<td align="left" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b> Team Totals </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PSU </b></span></td>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#00008b"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>UCF </b></span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>FIRST DOWNS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">24 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">11 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">7 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">14 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Penalty </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS RUSHING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">57 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">24 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Attempts </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">28 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">29 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Rush </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0.8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Rushing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Gained Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">86 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">51 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Yards Lost Rushing </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">29 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">27 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>NET YARDS PASSING</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">454 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">222 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Completions-Attempts-Int </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">32-47-2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">12-22-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Attempt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">9.7 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">10.1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Completion </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">14.2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">18.5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Passing Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">511 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">246</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Total offense plays </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">75 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">51 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Gain Per Play </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6.8 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4.8 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumbles: Number-Lost</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Penalties: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">9-90 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">8-47 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PUNTS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-41 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-185</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">41.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">46.2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Punt </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">21.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">44.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Inside 20 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 50+ Yards </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Fair catch </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>KICKOFFS-YARDS</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">6-366 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-306 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">61.0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">61.2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Net Yards Per Kickoff </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">33.2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">35.4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchbacks </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-9-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4.5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0.0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-129-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-142-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Average Per Return </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">25.8 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">28.4 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0-0-0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Miscellaneous Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Possession Time</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">34:07 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">25:53</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 1st Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 9:49 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 5:11 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 2nd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 8:02 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 6:58 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 3rd Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 8:04 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 6:56 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 4th Quarter </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 8:12 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> 6:48 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Third-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">10 of 18 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5 of 13 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Fourth-Down Conversions</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 of 2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 of 2 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Red-Zone Scores-Chances</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">5-5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Touchdowns </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Field goals </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-5 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-5 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sacks By: Number-Yards</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-17 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-17 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>PAT Kicks</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">2-2 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">3-3 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Field Goals</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4-4 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1-1 </span></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Points off turnovers</b> </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">0 </span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">9</span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you can see, PSU clearly dominated the stats, more than doubling the total yardage of the Knights, winning time of possession by 9 minutes, and better third down conversion percentages. What kept the Knights in the game was the 9 points off turnovers, and the two INTs. Both teams exchanged fumbles. <br />
<br />
Neither team did well in the first half, and the Knights had under 100 yards total in the first half, with most of their production and points coming after the switch to Holman.<br />
<br />
<b>INTANGIBLES:</b><br />
<br />
The crowd of 53,304 was heavily in favor of the Nittany Lions--I heard by as much as 7-1 or more. <br />
<br />
James Franklin is 1-0 as coach at Penn State, 25-15 overall.<br />
<br />
Penn State won the toss and deferred.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTE9nx6digj9HIZore0oO5Zt2kLa51kPxG6FHh7hC9jNwWqy88m5XImByagUkb68PT9TA-pXiWEYHbsC0j7Bu-pCBw6cb4OT3vg230-4l8gP810iyFCgUpKB9AE7UsGDWFIWmLASWzX1S/s1600/LeeCorso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTE9nx6digj9HIZore0oO5Zt2kLa51kPxG6FHh7hC9jNwWqy88m5XImByagUkb68PT9TA-pXiWEYHbsC0j7Bu-pCBw6cb4OT3vg230-4l8gP810iyFCgUpKB9AE7UsGDWFIWmLASWzX1S/s1600/LeeCorso.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm not so fast, you know!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>THE BIG (TEN) PICTURE:</b><br />
<br />
Rutgers came from behind to defeat Washington State 41-38.<br />
<br />
Indiana defeated Indiana State 28-10.<br />
<br />
Purdue overwhelmed Western Michigan 43-34.<br />
<br />
THEM managed to win and avoid pulling a second Appalachian State, defeating the Mountaineers 52-14. So take that!<br />
<br />
The Buckeyes were down to the midshipmen 7-6 at the half, but managed to pull away with a 34-17 win.<br />
<br />
Illinois beat Youngstown State 28-17.<br />
<br />
The Hawkeyes beat Northern Hawkeyes 31-23.<br />
<br />
The Maryland Twerps dominated James Madison (and a couple of other old presidents) 52-7.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile the Cornhuskers stormed the beaches of Florida Atlantic 55-7.<br />
<br />
The Spartans spanked Jacksonville State 45-7.<br />
<br />
Minnesota beat Eastern Illinois 42-20.<br />
<br />
The Wildcats lost to Cal 31-24.<br />
<br />
Wisconsin, not wanting Northwestern to be the only loser, fell apart against LSU, losing 28-24 after a 17 point rally by the Tigers.<br />
<br />
<b>SHEDDING TEARS:</b><br />
<br />
1. South Carolina--#9 taken to the woodshed by the Texas Aggies, even without Johnny Football. <br />
2. Delaware--lost to Pitt 62-0. Maybe Pitt can schedule Rhode Island and Alaska too!<br />
3. Vanderbilt--lost 37-7 to Temple. I do feel bad. Just not THAT bad.<br />
4. Clemson--bitten by the Bulldogs 45-21.<br />
5. Okie State--Cowpokes come up 6 short against #1 F$U.<br />
<br />
<b>LOOKING AHEAD:</b><br />
<br />
The Akron Zips come to Beaver Stadium next week for a NOON kick-off. The Zips pasted Howard 41-0 this past weekend.<br />
<br />
The Lions opened around an 18 point favorite but that line has already dropped a few points depending on which betting service you look at, but I imagine will stay somewhere just north of a two score margin.<br />
<br />
The Zips were ranked preseason by <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/05/29/akron-zips-terry-bowden-2014-countdown-preview-roster-schedule-football-four/9679313/" target="_blank">USA Today</a> at #94.<br />
<br />
Did you know that Terry Bowden is their coach? I did not know that! Unfortunately for him, he ain't in Auburn anymore.<br />
<br />
This should be another good day for Hack, and perhaps a chance for his back-up to get some reps.<br />
<br />
<b><i>GO STATE! BEAT ZIPS!</i></b>psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-37064973424144148442014-08-29T22:58:00.001-04:002014-08-29T22:58:52.816-04:00Dublin or NothingWith the college football season already started, and Penn State's first game of the James Franklin Era literally hours away from kick-off, I realized that I have not officially prognosticated in public.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMSflsQ5cWelZJ44RomumGscwGzYmDs55tUWpzBcRx4Vr6LEOkviJdOzpkFoOGdncNDAcRt6495kywHQjkb1tnY3DnPV87FfHA2ZxR_7TO27ohlzU-OUiysFB5i1Ed-DpTHs74K79rpzc/s1600/Prediction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMSflsQ5cWelZJ44RomumGscwGzYmDs55tUWpzBcRx4Vr6LEOkviJdOzpkFoOGdncNDAcRt6495kywHQjkb1tnY3DnPV87FfHA2ZxR_7TO27ohlzU-OUiysFB5i1Ed-DpTHs74K79rpzc/s1600/Prediction.jpg" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My emotions swing from 5-7 to 11-1. There was that one moment when I toyed with the idea of predicting a 12-0 season (which flashed through my mind when I read that Braxton Miller was out for the season), but I am officially going to settle on 10-2.<br />
<br />
Don't ask me why. Don't ask me which two games I think we will lose. <br />
<br />
There is no more merit in my forecast than any weatherman out there right now.<br />
<br />
But with kick-off nearing in Dublin at Croke Park, I will predict a victory for the blue and white over George O'Leary's Golden Knights.<br />
<br />
And here are my reasons, in no particular order.<br />
<br />
1. Lee Corso picked UCF to wax Penn State.<br />
2. No Bortles.<br />
3. James Franklin.<br />
4. Christian Hackenberg.<br />
5. Come on people, it's UCF. Sure they went 12-1 last season, but this ain't Florida State. I think people are underestimating how important Bortles was to the offense, and are over-estimating what kind of defense the Knights will have this year.<br />
6. James Franklin<br />
7. <a href="http://cfn.scout.com/2/557925.html" target="_blank">Clucko the Chicken</a> picks Penn State.<br />
8. Five of six Harrisburg writers <a href="https://bwi.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=36&mid=174314347&sid=890&tid=17&style=14314347" target="_blank">pick UCF</a><br />
9. James Franklin Seriously. This man is a dynamo. And he brings with him a complete staff that he has already worked with and developed chemistry with. THIS IS CRUCIAL. This is not Bill O'Brien parachuting into a war zone with a rag tag team of old friends assembled at the last minute. This is a well oiled machine that managed to post back to back 9 win seasons at Vanderbilt, a school that had not had a 9 win season <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanderbilt_Commodores_football" target="_blank">since 1915</a>.<br />
10. George O'Leary, undefeated ND head coach, who will be toasted to no end at every pub in the country and pickled in free drinks by the time kick-off rolls around.<br />
11. Because <b><i>WE ARE . . .</i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i>PENN STATE!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PozRgaOSrfM" width="560"></iframe>psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-51459215813517849432014-08-23T21:31:00.000-04:002014-08-23T21:35:16.119-04:00No TAILGREATING Allowed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT-w_fuceoCF60VS14uE9HaKEstoiD98dFOv1yGXQ1yOED_uIhEJF9KRm_1pmlkT3LiuyJLFwz9DLliwMYJ5GjUElLMiFhBiZLeREVCiPYXz30QLyQ2aL5iQumXs_CTgQbkDPG_D8TZwT/s1600/DoNotTailGreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT-w_fuceoCF60VS14uE9HaKEstoiD98dFOv1yGXQ1yOED_uIhEJF9KRm_1pmlkT3LiuyJLFwz9DLliwMYJ5GjUElLMiFhBiZLeREVCiPYXz30QLyQ2aL5iQumXs_CTgQbkDPG_D8TZwT/s1600/DoNotTailGreat.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Apparently, Penn State Athletics has decided not to continue the tradition of TAILGREAT at the Bryce Jordan Center. This was a pre-game pep rally of sorts featuring the Blue Band and cheerleaders at the BJC before each home game.
According to <a href="http://www.wjactv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/penn-state-athletics-cancel-blue-bands-tailgreat-3548.shtml" target="_blank">WJAC</a>:
<br />
<blockquote>
"We [were] notified that the Tailgreat would be no more due to some budgetary concerns," Blue Band director Richard Bundy said.
It was the plug being pulled on Penn State Blue Band's Tailgreat show, a free pep rally before every home game.
"I think it was an event that was rather unique in the way it was presented so we are working on trying to see how that will affect our game day activities for the Blue Band," Bundy said.</blockquote>
I think the BOT notified the Blue Band by a note delivered by a messenger in the dark of night.
<br />
<blockquote>
A statement from Penn State Assistant Athletic Director for Football Communications Jeff Nelson said Tailgreat wasn't giving the Blue Band enough exposure. "We did not feel that Tailgreat was accomplishing the level of interaction among our more than 100,000 fans and exposure for the Blue Band that is deserved," Nelson said.</blockquote>
<a href="http://onwardstate.com/2014/08/19/athletic-dept-cancels-blue-bands-tailgreat-show/" target="_blank">Onward State</a> provides more specific speculation on the costs . . .
<br />
<blockquote>
A Blue Band source tells us that the reason for this cut given by the Athletic Department was primarily financial. Tailgreat costs approximately $70,000 to put on each year, most of which goes to BJC staffing and rental, and the Athletic Department decided that this cost was too great. This comes just days after the <strong><a href="http://onwardstate.com/2014/08/18/all-student-athletes-to-receive-ipads-for-academic-aid/" target="_blank" title="All Student-Athletes to Receive iPads for Academic Aid">Athletic Department purchased more than 800 iPads</a></strong> for student athletes, which, even conservatively at $300 each (much less than <strong>retail</strong>), still runs more than three times what Tailgreat cost.
The source also indicated that the Athletic Department says it’s working on a “new event” for the Blue Band to participate in during the pregame hours.</blockquote>
Opponents of cancelling the tradition cite the ability of band parents to see their son or daughter perform when they might not be able to afford the cost of a Penn State football ticket. Others liked being able to hear the band's halftime show, which they might not be able to do as well or as clearly inside the stadium.
<br />
<br />
What I found interesting in the whole bit was the allegation that the price tag was a problem. Granted, $70,000 looks like a huge figure (and considering what we are now paying our head coach, the sanction costs, and those darn iPads it is certainly not a negligible amount) but that works out to $10,000 or less per game depending on whether there are 7 or 8 home games in a season.<br />
<br />
And weren't there corporate sponsors at one time???<br />
<br />
A little googling found me <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=-bERJBDeB_4C&pg=PA169&lpg=PA169&dq=AT%26T+tailgreat+penn+state&source=bl&ots=ZNJE8hGz9Y&sig=L6DWjYDYVy6_RL3hD8ffbFa5Cnk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=NDf5U779CpezyASV-4LIAQ&ved=0CFoQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=AT%26T%20tailgreat%20penn%20state&f=false" target="_blank">this excerpt</a> from a book about the Blue Band, <em>A Century of Pride and Precision, </em>where on page 169 it talks about this "new tradition" in 1996. The book notes that the event was a joint project sponsored by AT and T, Wal-Mart, the Alumni Association, and the Nittany Lion Club. The original TailGreat charged an admission fee that was dropped in it's second year to promote better attendance.<br />
<br />
I would think Penn State, even in this sanction-era, should be able to find a half-dozen or so sponsors to pony up $8000-$10,000 to keep the show going if they wanted to. Which makes me wonder if they don't want to.<br />
<br />
I have to be honest here. I've never been to a TAILGREAT. Talked about going to it. Thought about going to it. Had it on my Penn State Bucket List, so to speak. Alas, I will never have that chance, barring a change of heart by the athletic department.<br />
<br />
Maybe attendance and interest has waned in recent years. Maybe they will come up with a new tradition that is even better. Maybe no one will even notice.<br />
<br />
Have you ever been to a TailGreat? How do you feel about losing this gameday event?psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342227411584334082.post-51020101940370140812014-08-22T22:36:00.001-04:002014-08-22T22:36:52.589-04:00The Game Will Love You BackMaybe THIS is why I'm really looking forward to this season!<br />
<br />
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<br />psudoc90http://www.blogger.com/profile/17878450280761521236noreply@blogger.com0