Joe Paterno Presser Highlights: Northwestern

by Adam Bittner on Nov 2, 2010 6:26 PM EDT in Link Dumps

Between the quarterback situation and win No. 400, certainly a lot of media fodder for the press conference today. Here's what Coach had to say. [Transcript]

On the quarterback situation: "So, I think we let them compete and at the end of the week, and decide who is going to start. I would imagine that maybe we'll probably have to re-think as far as only playing one kid; maybe that we would want to play both, since they are both young kids to try to get them some experience."
Chaz Powell has "a ways to go" and needs to concentrate more.
Neither Eric Latimore nor Jack Crawford have practiced yet.
Believes the team is getting better and is playing with more enthusiasm.
On win No. 400: "Well, I try not to get involved in that. I don't...you know, I don't go home and think about what we've done. I go home and worry about what we've got to get done."

Robert Bolden is completely healthy, and was held out of Saturday's win over Michigan only as a precaution.

Has seen progress in Bolden's play week-to-week.

On Pat Fitzgerald: "So I've known him; I haven't known him personally until he became the coach at Northwestern, but I've known what kind of a competitor he is. I think he's done a heck of a job with Northwestern. I think when you're around him, you're impressed with him. He's very, very self effacing but very confident and you can sense it in him. I think he does a great job on motivating his kids. And I don't know whether their offense is any different in some other places, but they execute well, are disciplined and they don't beat themselves."

Believes Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa has developed into one of the better quarterbacks "in the country." Says Penn State did look at Persa when he was coming out of Allentown, but for one reason or another, never did more than look.

On Matt McGloin: "I think McGloin is a competitor. He probably turned down a couple of schools with scholarships to come here. He's all been kind of a live wire. I liked him. I think he's got ability. How far he goes will depend on whether he can stay healthy and whether we can start to get a football team that's going to stay intact physically and starts to be able to do some little things a little better than we may have done in a couple of ball games, make a couple more plays than we have not made."

Called the situation at Notre Dame a "tragedy" and noted how difficult it can be some times to keep track of everyone involved in a practice. Also noted that Penn State doesn't allow its video people up in lifts when the wind is more than 30 MPH.

More on 400: "But every once in awhile, you wonder whether somebody couldn't do a better job for the people that I'm responsible for. But you know, I've not ever gotten to the point where I have felt, "hey, I'm going to get out of this thing." But it's going to come. I mean, that's why I don't get excited about 400 if it happens because, geez, you hang around long enough (chuckling), all right? How many years I been the head coach, 40? You know, you've got to win a couple of games in that time."

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Also noted that Penn State doesn’t allow its video people up in lifts when the wind is more than 30 MPH.

My personal opinion is that Kelly is lucky he hasn’t gotten a lot of flak for that mess.

"Iowa is like a flat Pennsylvania."
Beat Northwestern.

by ReadingRambler on Nov 2, 2010 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

I think he should be fired

It’s obvious he ain’t turning the ship around. Get rid of him while you have cause so you don’t have to eat the contract.

Adam
Black Shoe Diaries, SB Nation Pittsburgh
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by Adam Bittner on Nov 2, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree...sad situation

Hire Mike Pettine Jr!!!!!!!!

by SweepTheLeg on Nov 2, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Sad situation - but the situation aside, I don't think ND should get rid of Kelly

They are having an OK season all things considered. They are 4-5 with some “good” losses; 28-24 to scUM, in OT to MSU, and a loss to Standford. We are only 1.5 games away from the same record.
Additionally, they are installing a completely new offense (I don’t know if their defense changed); they are using pro-style players recruited recently to play a spread offense. Give him time, I think Kelly will work it out.

by emccomb1 on Nov 3, 2010 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Fire Paterno?

Are u freaking nuts? This man made Penn St football what it is, he has the ability to still recruit kids that can play and he makes them into better football players and better yet great citizens. This man should be allowed to coach at Penn St until he wants to leave no matter what his record is at any given time!

by Deleplank on Nov 5, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Whitlock is the only writer I have seen piping up about this.

by hbeach08 on Nov 2, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I read that article.

He made a good case Kelly being fired.

by J Breezy on Nov 2, 2010 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Outside the Lines did a piece on that today. Many of the guest on the show said that Kelly should take some blame for it.

by Ben16 on Nov 2, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Hells yeah.....

He should take some blame AND what in hell is going on with Chaz Powell??

"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." The Government is like the Mob, you can check out, but never leave.

by DerryPharmer on Nov 2, 2010 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Notice JoePa said

“Penn State” doesn’t allow . . .

I know it’s fashionable to pile on Kelly, but one would think that the athletic dept./university would have had policies in place for this kind of thing long ago. The guy is a football coach, not a safety expert or department manager.

Joe Paterno Apologist

by Joe 96alum on Nov 2, 2010 7:13 PM EDT reply actions

The Whitlock article mentioned how Tressel...

…told the media practice was being moved inside due to high winds. Specifically mentioned the kids in the lift and its being dangerous. And that was a couple of days BEFORE the ND incident.

Article also mentioned how PSU and I believe another school (possibly tOSU) had a policy where those guys were grounded at 28 MPH winds.

by J Breezy on Nov 2, 2010 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

So is Newsome officially QB#3?

Would love to see that guy on the field somewhere, anywhere.

"God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy"

by NJ lion on Nov 2, 2010 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

Best quote of the article, IMO

Q. Were you surprised to learn that McGloin was the first former walk on quarterback ever to start for you and why is it especially tough for a walk on to become a starter at that position?
COACH PATERNO: Was I surprised? Is he? I never never asked. Never occurred to me. Nobody ever told me. Thank you. (Laughter).

Classic Joe!

My mantra worked.

by Paige2PSU on Nov 2, 2010 8:06 PM EDT reply actions

Injuries.

There were no questions about Troutman or Devon Smith. Troutman was definitely hurt, though he came back temporarily, and I think Smith was banged up as well. Anyone heard anything?

Dear team, thanks for accomplishing nothing.

by Illegal Formation on Nov 2, 2010 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

"kids were a little bumped up"

by Tailgate Shogun on Nov 2, 2010 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't argue with that diagnosis.

Dear team, thanks for accomplishing nothing.

by Illegal Formation on Nov 2, 2010 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Troutman was cramps

And I think I saw a tweet (puddy tat?) that he had returned later in the game, but I can’t visually confirm that me own self. Did u see him back?

I’m Sargeant Schultz regarding Dayvon.

The offensive line was inspired by McGloin.

by jtothep on Nov 2, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he came back in, then went out again, but I was running on Miller Lite fumes at that point.

I’m not sure, but I don’t think Smith returned after that long catch

Dear team, thanks for accomplishing nothing.

by Illegal Formation on Nov 2, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Troutman's injury on the field looked like a cramo.

he pulled his toes back and all. I think it’s a non issue.

I didn’t see Smith et hurt.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Vince Lombardi

by PaJoe on Nov 3, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Unrelated comment.

I’m watching some highlights of the game, and it looks like Nate Cadogan was at tight end towards the end. He’s a big man for a TE.

Dear team, thanks for accomplishing nothing.

by Illegal Formation on Nov 2, 2010 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

I think someone mentioned earlier

that coaches were thinking having an OL serve as a blocking TE every once in a while.

"We have the plainest uniforms you can make. We know who we are. We are Penn State, and that's something special."

by dwf5095 on Nov 2, 2010 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

He is now in on goal lines situations and is used as a blocking TE

I did notice Haplea is improving his blocking too but Nate did a very good job when he was in.

eff it, I'm going derp

by BMAN13 on Nov 3, 2010 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I posted this at BWI, but it might be a bit much for them, so...

…to keep it from going to waste, I thought I’d bring it over here. I think it makes sense in the context of Joe saying McGloin is competing for the QB job now. Here’s most of my BWI post:

A successful running game sets up a simpler, more successful passing game for your quarterback – especially all those play actions McGloin ran in the first half against the Wolverines. So here’s our running game (just the top two running backs will be used for all these metrics) in Bolden’s starts:

YSU: Royster, 11 carries for 40 yards; Green, 6 carries for 32 yards
Bama: Royster, 9 carries for 32 yards; Redd, 5 carries for 26 yards
Kent: Royster, 11 carries for 38 yards; Green, 11 carries for 59 yards
Temple: Royster, 26 carries for 187 yards; Green, 11 carries for 15 yards
Iowa: Royster, 10 carries for 56 yards; Redd, 2 carries for 19 yards
Illinois: Royster, 11 carries for 35 yards; Redd, 4 carries for 13 yards
Minnesota (with Bolden): Royster, 5 carries for 17 yards; Green, 2 carries for 6 yards

Now McGloin:

Minnesota (with McGloin): Royster, 5 carries for 45 yards; Redd, 8 carries for 70 yards
Michigan: Royster, 29 carries for 150 yards; Redd, 6 carries for 24 yards

By the numbers, when Bolden was in, PSU averaged 70 yards per game in 5 full games, 26 yards (3.3 ypc) against Minnesota, and 202 yards (5.45 ypc) against Temple. When McGloin was in, PSU had 174 yards (4.97 ypc) against Michigan and 115 yards (8.85 ypc) against Minnesota. Clearly the running game McGloin a lot more help against Minn than it did for Bolden. In the rest of the games, Bolden had less run support in the tough games, but more in the Temple game. For that reason I will compare the Temple and Michigan performances, as well as Minnesota.

Even before the running game got going, Bolden was shredding Minnesota before he got hurt. 11/13 for 130 yards and 1 TD. He also did okay when he had a running game against Temple (which almost certainly has a better secondary than Michigan – doesn’t that sound crazy?). 18/28 for 223 yards 0 TD 0 INTs.

McGloin was serviceable against Minnesota, but let’s not pretend like he was anywhere near as accurate as Bolden. 6/13 for 76 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. 42 yards were off the first pass that caught Minnesota’s defense expecting a run with the backup QB in. No one’s happier than me that we won that game and that McGloin put points on the board. This is merely a reality check.

Now to the theory some are promoting that McGloin has proven himself to be the QB we should have had all along, or at least, that he’s the leader we need for the rest of this season. McGloin blew away our expectations, put points on the board against Michigan, and won our hearts forever. But keep in mind that he had a running game to keep Michigan’s defense on its heels, something Bolden only had in the Temple game. Against Michigan, McGloin was 17/28 for 250 yards and 1 TD (he also had a Pat Devlin style QB sneak TD that doesn’t really tell you much about a QB except that he can take a snap and close his eyes).

Against Temple, Bolden was 18/28. Against Michigan, McGloin was 17/28. 223 vs 250 yards. 0 TD vs 1 TD. McGloin put up slightly better stats against a worse secondary.

Although fun, I don’t think pure speculation should play a role in choosing Saturday’s starting quarterback. Would Bolden have made mistakes and lost to Michigan? Would Bolden have had a coming out party and hung 5 TD passes on them? Did the running game work better because the players love McGloin’s awesome leadership? These things are all impossible to demonstrate so we can talk in circles forever. The only thing for sure is that Bolden got knocked on his back a lot doing his best to represent PSU. He also made some (but not many) rookie mistakes in NIGHT ROAD GAMES AGAINST ALABAMA AND IOWA. Then he got his bell rung at Minnesota. McGloin put up so-so stats in relief against Minnesota and then numbers against Mich that are comparable to Bolden’s numbers against Temple.

IMO starting McGloin is an error for other reasons besides it being “unfair” to Bolden. It’s a mistake because it sends some bad messages to the team. It tells the team that the coaches don’t have faith in Bolden, don’t think he’s “got it” and think they made a mistake to start him all season. What other message could it send when the last thing Bolden did was go 11/13 for 130 yards and 1 TD in one and a half quarters on the road?

by Charlie Yordy on Nov 2, 2010 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Trust the coaches

Whoever starts is the one who should be starting.

by SarcasmJam on Nov 3, 2010 6:49 AM EDT reply actions

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by Ko Ni on Nov 3, 2010 7:25 AM EDT reply actions

399

Northwestern was approaching . Everyone was looking forward to it and was
preparing for it . me too . so i will glad to share with you some spam.

Actually, I think I found a new sig in there: Quality is our Dignity; Service is our Lift. Good to know they accept the paypals.

Bacon is almost as great as being a Penn Stater

by NittanyTide on Nov 3, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

i think that should be an answer on an english test

quality : dignity :: service : lift

the students would def think the prof was high and or drunk when putting it together

The Theory of Evolution states that only the strong survive. Maybe so, maybe so. But the Theory of Competition states that, just because they're the strong, doesn't mean they can't get their asses kicked.

by jman07 on Nov 3, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions