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Season reflections..(and other random thoughts)..

Way to ring in the new year. But seriously, I'm not all that upset about the Rose Bowl because as Mike put it in his latest post "It is what it is," something like this was a very possible outcome. We were the best team in a weak conference and we needed to play mistake-free football to beat the next best team (OSU) and that same consistency was needed tonight. It was never there.

I think back to the post game presser for the Coastal Carolina game, their (hilariously hickish, but nice guy) coach mentioned that a lot of his players were sort of in awe of the atmosphere in SC and maybe taken off their game a bit. He also said that it was a good gauge from themselves personally, because the cake-walk Penn State had that day was due to the difference in talent level. The loss, while most likely a scrimmage for PSU, gave the CC players something to think about.

I kind of feel the same way about the Rose Bowl. In order to be the best you gotta beat the best. It sucks that this was the way the seniors had to go out, but most of them played with a lot of heart and didn't give up until the final whistle. For the younger players, this was their chance to see how much more they need to study film/technique, and push themselves on the practice field and in the weight room. Hopefully the coaches learned a lot as well too. For example, keeping the team focused when their shooting themselves in the foot and developing a defense that doesn't involve huge band-aids in the secondary. I feel that these were the main differences tonight since PSU marched down the field on SC before the second quarter collapse. Hey how bout the staff/administration ponying up and scheduling higher visibility OOC games?

Given that the Dark Years were only 4 years ago, what's been accomplished since then is tremendous. Like it or not, success in sports in cyclical and I still believe Penn State is striving for its apex. Recruiting has been improving, and many other lingering problems (road wins, offensive production) have turned around for the better.

In close, despite the bitter taste of defeat, I'll think about how much fun 2008 was and I'll look forward to continued success in 2009.

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I'm thinking now

about the loss in 1985 to Oklahoma, prior to beating Miami in 1986. Hopefully history can repeat itself . . .

by Joe 96alum on Jan 1, 2009 10:50 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Here, this will help ease your mind:

First, picture Clark tearing apart “the greatest defense of all time” by scoring 24 points in the Rose Bowl.

Then, imagine all the games last year with Anthony “two-left-feet” Morelli at the helm.

Feel better?

by smashtheguitar on Jan 1, 2009 11:05 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Oddly enough

Yea, I’m not all that bitter about this loss. After all, what the hell has the rest of the Big Ten done this bowl season?

The Big Ten is at it’s lowest possible ebb. That isn’t to say that PSU isn’t worthy of playing some of the best teams in the nation, but it is what it is. I’d rather put up 24 against the Holy Legion of Heavenly Olympian Gods of Southern California and lose than sit at home watching someone else lose the Rose Bowl.

At least we performed better than the previous Big Ten teams vs. USC.

by cjapsu on Jan 1, 2009 11:23 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Yeah... good one, CJ... funny stuff!

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

by TheMightyErik on Jan 2, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

All in all...

not too shabby. This team overachieved…and while that’s no consolation for losing the Rose Bowl, its impressive considering that our overall talent, judging by average stars per team, is probably the lowest in the top 10.

by Artiefufkin10 on Jan 1, 2009 11:38 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Count me among...

those who, though stung by the loss, consider the season and overall success. But for a couple of really bone headed mistakes in the first half, the Rose Bowl would have had a much different complexion. But enough of the would-a ,could-a’s. This team had a pretty good campaign in 2008. How many of us would have picked a 2 loss season in with a BCS bowl bid in July?

We go into 2009 with no questions at the coaching or QB spot, a pretty damn decent recruiting class, and we get Sean Lee back. The schedule next year easily has Big 10 Championship written on it.

I too hope the team and coaching staff learns from this year and especially from yesterday, but when all said and done, I am proud for what the team did in 2008 and I look forward to 2009.

WE ARE!!!

by ljdevine on Jan 2, 2009 11:15 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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