A Recent Conversation ...

I had a recent e-mail conversation with a friend who is also a huge Penn State fan. We talked about the future of Penn State. I was so impressed with my words, that I wanted to share them with you:

I think Penn State is still the dominating team in the region (northeast), but they really didn't have a good gameplan when they entered the Big 10 - Teams like Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State were opened up to PA recruiting, and began taking away top recruits. Unfortunately, PSU wasn't able to do the same - one theory (I came up with) is that JoePa continued his "traditional" recruiting style - staying local, and not really focusing on Ohio, and Michigan areas (and Illinois).

A new coach needs to bring in a new recruiting philosophy, with high school scouts all over the country.I think this coming year is Joe's last - his contract is up, and at this point, I think the University will convince him to be some sort of "consultant." My big fear is that JoePa will have too much clout in naming his replacement ... and I really, really hope Jay-Pa is gone.

I heard the Cowher rumor, and I'd love him there - he'd bring fire, intensity, and most importantly, recruiting clout to the school. I also wouldn't mind Schiano (another rumored replacement) - I like his wide-open offense, and he has been able to keep local Jersey kids in the state - he'd be a great fit at Penn State. If PSU wants to stay "in the family," I'd be OK with Al Golden at this point. The guy is smash mouth, and has given a boost to a Temple program on the verge of collapse just a few years ago. Sure, they play in the MAC now, but remember, just a few seasons ago, Temple was getting beat by Division 2 schools. Golden has been able to secure some decent talent, and has given the school some stability and swagger. I think he may be a little young and green to take over at PSU, but I'd be willing to give him a shot.

Merciful End!

Penn State ended its 2007 up-and-down season on a high note last night, beating a very average Texas A&M squad 24-17 in the Alamo Bowl … basically a home game for the Aggies. The Nits looked sluggish early, digging a 14-0 hole. However, the defense stepped up and allowed only 3 more points the rest of the night.

Anthony Morelli was his usually inconsistent self, completing less than half of his passes, and throwing yet another horrible interception. I probably speak form most of the Penn State alumni when I say THANK GOODNESS THE MORELLI ERA IS OVER!
Clark, who will most likely be the QB next season, came in and gave the offense some pep last night, and Rodney Kinlaw may have given himself an opportunity to, at the very least, get a tryout from an NFL team next season with his fine rushing performance.

This team isn’t losing many players, and the younger guys looked pretty good, which means this team could once again give Michigan and Ohio State a run for their money in the Big 10 race next season.

By the way, I get the feeling that next season is JoePa’s last as the head coach of Penn State. On top of that, I also get this strange feeling that “Big Red” may become the head coach after Paterno … they focused the camera on him often last night … stay tuned!

Time to Turn the Page

Penn State lost to Michigan State this weekend, and it didn’t come as a surprise to me - Joepa’s boys seem to always have a difficult time with the Spartans. However, having a 24-7 lead in the second half should’ve been enough to win it. Unfortunately, Penn State blew it, and it came down to two areas, defense, and quarterback play. I know that Michigan State has a good offense, but Penn State is supposed to have a good defense, too, right?

Well, a few weeks ago, against the Butt-Guys, the Nittany Lions were manhandled on the defensive side of the ball. Against Temple last week, even though PSU got a shutout, Temple did move the ball rather easily. This week was more of the same. Somebody HAS to step up – I don’t’ think Posluvsney would’ve let this happen if he was on the team.

On the offensive side of the ball, the play-calling in the second half was questionable at best … especially on that last real drive. Penn State moves the ball to the red zone with ease – there is plenty of time left. Why not run the ball? Instead, you put the game in the hands of a shaky quarterback … and the result was predictable. Morelli threw 4 awful passes, and PSU lost.

Now, they get to focus on a pre-New Year’s Day bowl, and football without Morelli … finally!

Battle of Pennsylvania Decided!

OK, maybe it wasn’t the greatest college football game of all time, but Paterno’s boys invaded Philadelphia, and handled an overmatched Temple Owls team rather easily. Truth is, Temple could’ve put up more of a fight early on, had they been able to hold onto some footballs and eliminate mistakes. Al Golden has really turned their program around.

For Penn State, Anthony Morelli’s graduation can’t come soon enough. The man with a strong arm and a bird-brain, made some more idiotic decisions in this victory, fumbling on the 1-yard-line, holding onto footballs far too long, and throwing an awful pick in the third quarter. Folks, this game could’ve been a blowout, but Morelli made sure it wasn’t.

Penn State wraps up their regular season next week against a team with similar skills in Michigan State. This won’t be easy, and with the way PSU plays on the road, it might be better to just hand the ball off the entire game instead of letting “the Schnozzoo” lose the game for ya.

Go State!

Win number 7!

Penn State won its last “home game” of the season this past Saturday, edging the Boilermakers, 26-19. The Nits started off slow yet again, allowing Purdue to score on the opening kickoff. Thankfully, Joe’s boys persisted and were able to overpower Purdue on the ground. One thing that continues to bother me, though – how can we justify not having a special teams coach? We miss lots of field goals, muff punts and kickoffs, and we give up lots of yards on kicks and punts.

Thankfully, the pathetic special teams play didn’t cost our team on Saturday, but it could’ve and it will, eventually. The turning point of the contest was when Purdue fumbled the ball on PSU’s one-yard line, leading at that point, 10-3. If Purdue went up 17-3 at that point, I don’t think we would’ve won. But hey, sometimes you need sparks like this.

Penn State’s next opponent is the Temple Owls, coached by Penn State alum, Al Golden. The game is being held in Philly, and may be Temple’s only sell-out of the season … thanks to all the Penn State fans purchasing the tickets …

Go State!

Screw the Butt-Guys!

Ugh … what an absolute manhandling by Ohio State this weekend. To think, I actually thought we had a chance to be competitive against those Butt-Guys. Unfortunately, Tressel’s boys proved to be much better than the Nits in just about every facet of the game. I’m pretty sure Ohio State could’ve ran the ball on our defensive line all day … instead, they chose to pass as well … with great results. The only way Penn State could’ve competed was if they had Tom Brady at the helm … which they didn’t. Morelli was ok, I guess, but that wasn’t even close to good enough. I guess we might need to start hoping for a bowl game against Rutgers … at least it might be a little interesting.


Next up – Purdue … Go State!

Badger Bludgeoning!

Sometimes, in times of very difficult situations, teams tend to circle the wagons and go out and play for themselves …. This is exactly what JoePa’s boys did against Wisconsin on Saturday. After an entire week of having to answer questions regarding morals and ethics, and whether or not Penn State football is in the business of bringing in thugs in order to win, the team went out and played some smash-mouthed football, focusing its aggression on the suddenly average Wisconsin Badgers, whipping them 38-7, in probably the most decisive and best-played Penn State football game in at least a couple of years.

The offense looked potent. The defense looked rabid. It seemed like nothing that the Nits did could go wrong. This is the type of intensity that they really could’ve used against Illinois and Michigan. Sadly, this team struggles on the road. If only there was a way for PSU’s athletic director to make every game a home-game …. Let’s hope the Lions can break the jinx against Indiana next week. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers have a very mobile quarterback, and this tends to give the Nits fits. Still, we “should” win this game, right?

Go Lions!