Penn State 35, Michigan 10: Kneel Before Zug
by Run Up The Score on Oct 25, 2009 12:12 PM EDT
in Football
Email
PrintYour eyes weren't deceiving you -- Michigan's first offensive drive against Penn State looked a lot like their first quarter performance against the Lions last year in Happy Valley. Tate Forcier and Brandon Minor led a steady, precise 70 yard touchdown drive against little resistance from the Nittany Lions. There was good reason for concern, but the afternoon quickly turned into complete domination by Penn State. It was not just a solid road win against a pretty good team. The Lions came together and produced their best showing of the season, one week after their last-best performance of 2009.
Wish you could play Iowa next week? Me too, although nothing appears to be stopping that freight train anymore. And for the record, you haven't lived until you've perused the BHGP comments from last night's liveblog and this morning's afterglow. Hard not to root for those people.
Back to Penn State and Michigan. You know it's a good game when the reporters from the other side use terms like "scared" and "panicked". Daryll Clark threw four touchdowns -- three of them to tiny white possession receiver Graham Zug. After Michigan's opening scoring drive, they racked up a grand total of three points and 180 yards over the final 56 minutes of the game.
What flipped Penn State's switch? A little confidence from the top.
So on Friday night at the team hotel, Paterno provided a pick-me-up to his players.
"He said, 'I've been telling you guys how good I think you are. It's time you tell me how good you are, and go out and play that way,'" Penn State quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno said. "It was a great moment [Friday] night. When they left the snack last night, they were all pumped up."
The younger Paterno walked up to senior quarterback Daryll Clark after the meeting.
"He goes, 'Damn, I'm ready now,'" Jay said.
Joe Paterno's attitude adjustment continued in the moments before the game:
Paterno continued to emphasize his point in the stadium tunnel moments before kickoff.
"Both teams come out of the same tunnel, and we were waiting for Michigan to go down [first]," Clark said. "They're going rah-rah and making a lot of noise, running down the tunnel. We looked over and Joe and he's jumping up and down, talking about, 'Yeah, yeah.'
"I'm looking at him and I'm like, 'OK, it's time to play some football.'"
And so it went for Penn State, a week that began with questions about the remnants of the losing streak against Michigan, and a game that began with a cold, cutting Michigan touchdown drive ended with the Lions repeatedly dropping the hammer on a helpless Wolverine team. Penn State, with its wholly flawed national resume and the clunker against Iowa now officially in the background, established itself as a BCS contender and appears to be peaking at the right time.
92 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Definately
Deus nobiscum, quis contra?
by chocochuck02 on Oct 25, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
The quotes about Joe are just priceless
Keep ’em coming, Jay.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Oct 25, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions
Awesome
I love love LOVE beating Michigan. Badly. In their house.
I love watching Hullstache crush “the best QB in the Big Ten”. I love watching Minor RAGE turn into Minor WHIMPER. I love the resurgence of Zug. Yea, verily, he hath risen from the grave.
Most of all, I love how our team reacted to Michigan’s opening drive. The offense came out and immediately put up 6. The defense locked it down. All on the road, when our biggest concern was turtling.
DAMMIT I want the Iowa game back. We’re rolling.
Luring recruits with my new "Posting HD" scheme since '08.
I love the fresh aura (aroma?) of this program....
In years past when we started off bad (like a loss from Iowa or UM or Illinois), it just seemed like we’d never regroup and the team wouldn’t improve throughout the year. Last year we we’re good from the get-go…this year we’ve improved steadily in each game…..AWESOME!
I love the whining match of Rich Rod and his assistants on the sideline when they had 12 on the field. What a bunch of crybabies. What makes Rich Rod think Gerg can run a D? Their coverage was a DISASTER. If there’s any team that needed BBDS, it was them.
As for Iowa, I really can’t hate that team. They are doing everything right and if they win out, we have to pull for them to play in the MNC. B10’s top teams need respect.
Agree
We haven’t really had a season like this this decade. It’s either been great from the beginning and awesome throughout (2005/2008), complete crap (2000/2001/2003/2004) or mediocrity/losing most of the big games (2002/2006/2007). Ever since that second half of the Illinois game, this has been a really fun team to watch.
2005
I know we all have happy, fuzzy nostalgic memories of that season, but I dunno if it was great from the start. I seem to remember a so-so non-con schedule followed by a fateful day on the shore of Lake Michigan where we needed a fourth-and-game conversion. Then we started rolling and by the end the of the season we were demolishing the likes of Purdue and Wisconsin.
2005 was a great team, i don’t want to take anything away from that glorious season, but let’s remember the ridiculous, movie-script of a journey it took that season.
by ChrisHarrell's_stache05 on Oct 25, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I recall someone, class of ‘70 calling saying "I love Paterno, but if he doesn’t put in that Morelli kid he needs to go" after the third game of the year. Funny how that worked out.
Often the most special seasons are the ones you don’t see coming. Did anybody see the 2005 season coming?
Blogging about D.C. Baseball since April '04. Penn State alum. Also partial to the Washington Capitals, New York Yankees and Yale football.
2005 movie
Now THAT would be a great sports movie. Start off with some history, Paterno’s glory years, then the crash of the Dark Years, but most importantly 2004, Paterno canceling practice to read Hamlet to his team, who get fired up and dominate the rest of a God-awful season. Only to get no respect the next year, but finally put the dark years behind us (pretty much on that 4th and long at NW) and return to glory in a thrilling season.
by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 26, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
have you gone back and watched that series again on youtube?
it is still as glorious as i remembered when i re-watched it a couple months ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy323D8Go3o, in case you’re interested
We decide when you hear the snap count...
I have rewatched that
Gives me chills every time. I know it’s been said countless times, but if there was one spot where you could officially mark the end of the dark years, it’s that drive.
I <3 MRob 4eva
Arrogance is alive and well..
From Maize n Brew:
Was Penn State a vastly better and talented team? Well in terms of their offense vs our back seven, yes. Everywhere else? Eh, not really.
Didn’t he notice the vaunted Michigan offense did basically nothing after the first drive?
Deus nobiscum, quis contra?
Whatever
Let them have their delusions. Outside of that first 4 minutes of football, we completely owned them on both sides.
Luring recruits with my new "Posting HD" scheme since '08.
Oh, come on, guys.
If it wasn’t for Penn State’s great QBing, timely running, suffocating defense, and oslid coaching, Michigan would have been right there in it. Penn State was lucky to squeak by with a >3 score win.
/delusional
ya know
if bowman hadn’t read forciers eyes and made that epic pick, and ogbu and sukay(maybe?) came up with those strips…michigan would have PWNED US!
We decide when you hear the snap count...
If only Michigan didn't hire two Big East coaches
Their obviously superior talent would have beat us.
Obviously.
i hope every one noticed
the absolute CLINIC that quarless gave on how to properly block at the line AND down field. if he is not taken in the first round in the next draft…i will be shocked.
We decide when you hear the snap count...
1st round talent, 7th round attitude
He definitely has 1st round talent, but I can’t help but think that all of his discretions off the field will push him into the 2-4 round range.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
Could go both ways
he’s been behaved lately, and JoePa is talking very highly of his attitude (no small point). You could point at his past problems or point to his recent success as a sign of maturity. I’m not saying one is right or wrong, but it might unfair to overlook the apparent turnaround.
BSD
Arrogance....
Maize n Brew seems to think that if they continued doing what they did on the first possession they would have done better. Well guess what? Unlike Gerg’s plan, our D adjusted. Credit UM for coming out swinging, our D hadn’t seen those formations, but once they dug in and played smart, it was over.
I also enjoyed this:
Boy does Daryll Clark lock on to receivers. When they’re wide open against our secondary it works just fine, but the few times we did manage to actually, you know, cover he looked downright mediocre trying to go through a progression. I mean, he’s clearly not Anthony Morelli, but if Ohio State manages to lock down in coverage I think it’ll be a long day for Mr. Clark.
What? Was he watching the same game? When you have enough time to take a nap and everyone of your options is open, you can drink a beer, eat a hot dog and hit the receiver of your choice. Why force a throw if you got the time?
I suppose their new perception of a QB is someone who gets flushed out of the pocket and throws on the run?
In all fairness
Penn State barely won by 25.
by tuscaloosalion on Oct 25, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
The stashe has been there before?
Deus nobiscum, quis contra?
by chocochuck02 on Oct 25, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Was giving some female Wolverine the patented Hullstache ride.
by MainLion on Oct 25, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
The Stache sensed danger in the crowd
"In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
by IcersGuy on Oct 25, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Recs for all of you
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Oct 25, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
the first michigan drive was an anomoly in this game
they were running the no-huddle, clearly using a scripted series…of course they have an advantage. unfortunately (for them) you can’t do that for more than 6 minutes.
We decide when you hear the snap count...
You watch..
Next week, DickRod is going to try to script the whole game.
Deus nobiscum, quis contra?
by chocochuck02 on Oct 25, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
i wonder how difficult it is to draw up all those plays
on tater tots etch-a-sketch
We decide when you hear the snap count...
This now adds a second game
to my list of games (that stick out in my head, at least) where us fans should not start FREAKING OUT because the opponent scores on their opening drive. It’s the first drive of a very long game, so chill.
(The other game on the list is the 2005 Illinois game. The Illini drove down the field fairly easily on their way to a FG – that caused a few of my friends to worry about the defense. I think we all remember how that one turned out.)
"In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
after that first drive, some how i maintained logical
and i told myself to hold judgment until i see out offense play their first drive. needless to say, i saved myself a lot of potentially-lost sanity.
We decide when you hear the snap count...
fortunately I had a beer...
and proclaimed that I might be doing a lot of drinking that afternoon. And I did, but for good reasons.
by Artiefufkin10 on Oct 25, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
To illustrate this point, go to the first thread of our game, read the part from that first drive
You would think we were already down by 500 pts. Everybody was freaking out. I admit I was nervous as all hell before the game, but the defense has to adjust to every kind of offense they play, which is why that first drive of theirs was so successful (I think I said something to that effect in the thread). It would be nice to completely dominate every team on their first drive, but without having played a scrimmage against said team (especially one with multiple threats like scUM), you have nothing but game film to practice on, so it takes a drive or so for the defense to adapt, and look what happened: we dominated the rest of the game.
And to further illustrate that point look at our first drive: I believe we were nearly flawless in execution against their D, and we scored in under 2 minutes, while it took them 4min to score on the first possession, which set the tone of the rest of the game, even though their defense stopped us a few times.
Moral of the story: RELAX
I'm pretty sure the world would stop turning if that happened.
And Rambler’s head would explode.
Deus nobiscum, quis contra?
by chocochuck02 on Oct 25, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Take that FWIW
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Oct 25, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
That would be AWESOME!
But you’re freaking kidding yourself if you believe it could ever happen.
Although I really wish we could have a rematch of that game at this point in the season when we’re really executing beautifully and finally bringing the talent together as a team.
Haha, I kinda agree with you but...
you gotta love the irony of Penn State fans (myself included) thinking the country should respect Iowa in the polls….while believing we’re better than them and would beat them in a rematch.
We weren't when we played them
and maybe their D is still too dominant for our O-line still, but with our defense playing great, and with everyone relatively healthy there, plus Clark continuing to be successful, you can’t say that it wouldn’t be a better, closer outcome, even if we did lose, it would still be a really exciting game, rematch or not.
by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 26, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
counter-arguement
i believe that loss is the reason Clark has been playing so inspired. as he tends to do, he took all the blame and re-focused himself.
not to mention that it’s probably easier to play effectively and consistently once the whole “trying to stay undefeated” bubble is burst. you lose the pressure that comes with trying to stay perfect.
We decide when you hear the snap count...
Barely
A couple of good breaks, and Michigan totally would have won 11 in a row
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Oct 25, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Never predict a streak. EVER.
We have two wins against a struggling and a young scUM team. Just like you don’t predict a win until the clock strikes 0 (or -2 seconds in Ann Arbor), don’t say it’s a streak until we’re looking at 10 straight years of wins against Michigan. And while technically 2 wins in a row is considered a streak (like in baseball), I’m never going to say “We Own scUM!” until the record books say it.
Yes, but you can say "Another year, another thrashing of Michigan"
Scoreboard, bitches.
by NoLimitLion1 on Oct 25, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm..
PWNchigan?
Deus nobiscum, quis contra?
by chocochuck02 on Oct 25, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
A few quick thoughts:
1. Zug is zugtastic! This WR corps leaves nothing to worry about.
2. Quarless is finally playing like we hoped – excellent blocking and a well-deserved big TD
3. Bowman is a beast. He almost makes you forget abot Lee
4. It’s really hard not to like the Hullstache
5. Clark has IT
"The sea was angry that day, my friends." G. Costanza
Oh no...
5. Clark has IT
Are there antibiotics we can get him for this? I mean, we’ve all seen what having “IT” does to a SUPASTAR QB in Tater Force. I just hope “IT” gets out of Clark’s system before jNW.
"In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Is "IT".......
the relentless propensity to stare down his receivers enroute to a 25 point blow out at the “Big House”.
Cuz if so…please sir, I’d like some more.
by Artiefufkin10 on Oct 25, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Did anyone notice that at halftime John Saunders and Jesse Palmer
kept referring to Graham Zug as “Zoog?”
That's the best choice
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Oct 25, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I was reading some of the MGoBlog comments:
Some good ones:
on a positive note – on my offline dynasty in NCAA 10, Sukay wanted to transfer to Michigan and he is a beast
somewhere, Threet is laughing
I give up. I’m turning the game off and watching porn. At least that way I know I’ll win.
by GreatScawt on Oct 25, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
There was a few “I am beginning to question the RichRod experiment” posts.
Gold
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Oct 25, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Again?
Gee, it seemed like yesterday he was leading scUM back to GLORIOUS SUPREMACY OF BIG TEN WITH OMG FORCIER AND GERG!
People are crazy.
Rich Rod will be just fine there in time. A couple wins over ranked teams will make it all disappear and despite my extreme hatred of everything in that dreadful state, I think it’ll happen sooner rather than later.
Maybe, but I'm starting to wonder if he'll get enough time
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Oct 25, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
If he isn't in contention for a big11 title when tOSU rolls around next year
I think hes toast.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
That would be a sad day for all of us
He’s done so much so well so far, I’d hate to see him fail.
But even funnier will be if scUM tries to abandon the spread if he is fired now that they’ve finally got the players that fit his system, it will be the 2009 season all over again! The schadenfreude will be EPIC.
by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 26, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
if they manage to beat tOSU this year though
he’s probably safe for at least another 3
We decide when you hear the snap count...
As far as the offensive game plan...
This was one of the best play-selection/calling I’ve seen in a Penn State away game since ’94.
I was impressed with the timeliness, the gutsiness, etc. I’m usually railing on JayPa, but that was my favorite thing about this game.
Screen pass to moye
Was working all day. Clearly they saw something in the film and exposed it. Also loved the bootleg on a third and one. Great day for Jaylen
by speedomike on Oct 25, 2009 5:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i think that maybe half of the pass calls (or all)
had that as a check. whoever was the corner was playing like 10 yds off. it basically became an efficient 5yd “running” play. where was this against iowa…and would it have even been effective?
We decide when you hear the snap count...
Exactly
this is usually what other teams do to us, and it was great to see easy yards like this coming every once in a while. I credit Clark for checking to this play after reading the coverage. I don’t remember what coverage Iowa were giving us…but as long as the D mixes it up or plays a game out there jumping on and off the line, it’s tough to exploit.
Did anyone watch Penn state football story?
The opening montage made me want to punch a hole in the wall
by speedomike on Oct 25, 2009 5:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
too bad the right foot is cut off...
because that would be perfect for the Clarksman II.
(oh…and uh…get rid of the man purse).
by Artiefufkin10 on Oct 25, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone else notice that Clark has switched celebration moves this season?
He’s going with the Salute primarily, with a fist-pump finishing move. Still effective, still cool.
by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 26, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
That was a phenomenal win
Despite what the Michigan writers might want to whine about, it was domination. Plus, it’s always fun to watch them melt down.
I find it interesting, for no good reason, that our next 3 opponents are the same. I’m more confident right now in your guys that in Iowa, but I’m hoping we both keep winning.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Oct 25, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions
I wonder if Matt Millen is still in love with "It"
Lucky gun, fake fifth, 8XY bitch
Daryll Clark, The Penn State Football Story Is...
Obs from "the big house"
What a great game to go to, especially for someone experiencing their first away game. Scorekeepers Friday night was awesome, we were up on that stage leading a couple chants. Tailgated at the highschool near a few other PSU fans as well as some very friendly UM fans. Overall I thought they were very good hosts, my friend walked around with an “Ann Arbor is a Whore” t-shirt all weekend and no one said much of anything about it. Michigan Stadium was unimpressive in my eyes, it sits a lot of people but it really is just a hole in the ground, sound goes right out of the place and you could easily hold a conversation anywhere during game time, good luck trying that at Beaver Stadium, they made an ‘M’ in the student section but it looked like physically challenged heart. Their band also was unimpressive and the stadium didn’t have much atmosphere, even on homecoming. Our drum major is way more cool, theirs just jumped around, ours does flips, good luck matching up with that.
As for the actual game, Michigan looked down right confused out there a few times. That whole series of plays leading up to the safety was one big mistake after another. There was another drive in which they got right up to the goal line and then really messed up several plays in a row and ended up with nothing I think. When the pressure was on they could not perform. Props to the offense for keeping their rhythm for the whole game, they were really impressive. Just a good all around game.
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SHOP THE BLACK SHOE DIARIES STORE
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
