Penn State Defense Grades Against Alabama
by BSD on Sep 13, 2010 10:00 AM EDT
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It's hard to argue giving anyone on the defense a passing grade. All night long it seemed like Alabama did anything they wanted to do. But let's go through the grades and talk about some of the positions and players.
Defensive Line
If there's one part of the defense where I thought Penn State might have success, it was on the defensive line. But that was not the case. Alabama's offensive line pushed them around and created huge holes for Trent Richardson to run through.
Devon Still had a tough time staying on his feet in the early going as Alabama was cut blocking him on just about every play taking him out of the action. He got better at staying on his feet as the game went on and became more of a force. He was credited with a sack which I honestly can't remember after watching the game twice. There were a few plays where he created pressure that forced Richardson to bounce his run outside and go down for a loss or little gain. The key for him is staying on his feet.
I was not pleased with the play of the defensive ends. Jack Crawford is too hesitant and not aggressive enough. He runs into his blocker and can't get away. Twice he tried to mix it up with an outside passrush or an inside spin move and got taken completely out of the play which allowed Alabama to make a big run. On one play McElroy got flushed from the pocket and Crawford took after in pursuit, but he never closed on him. He just kind of shadowed the quarterback allowing Greg McElroy to hold it an extra second and scan the field. Luckliy McElroy couldn't find anything and threw it away, but Crawford has to go into destroy mode on that play. This isn't basketball. Hit the guy. For two years I've been hearing that Jack "The Ripper" is a "monster". Well, so far I'm not seeing it, and I'm starting to wonder if I ever will. Time to live up to the hype, Mr. Crawford.
Eric Latimore was a complete non-factor getting pushed outside if Alabama wanted to run inside, and sealed inside when Alabama wanted to run outside. He plays too upright. Pete Massaro and Sean Stanley played better than the starters at least beating their guys once in a while. If it were up to me, they would get the start next week.
Grade: D
Linebackers
I thought Tom Bradley explained it best after the game. The linebackers were catching the ball carrier instead of running through him. It seemed like Michael Mauti and Chris Colasanti were just standing their ground and waiting for Trent Richardson to come to them, and once he got there he pushed them for another three or four yards. Colasanti needs to hit guys in the belt buckle and not in the shoulders.
I thought Nate Stupar looked like the fastest linebacker on the blitz. He was bringing good pressure from the outside, but McElroy is such a good quarterback he just dumped it off to the hot route in the vacated area every time for a big gain. He was also exploiting all of the linebackers in pass coverage with perfect throws right over their heads and in front of the safeties.
Bani Gbadyu is still his same old self taking bad angles and over running the play, but at least he's doing it like a 230 lb. bat out of hell.
Overall these guys were just outmuscled and showed poor technique. Last week I said they looked good as individuals but just weren't playing well as a unit. This week they just plain out stunk. And sadly, we might have lost the best guy for a long time when Gerald Hodges got injured on the opening kickoff. He was walking around in a boot and crutches during the second half.
Grade: D
Secondary
Alabama didn't challenge the cornerbacks often, but when they did I felt they did a pretty good job. The Tide chose instead to attack the safeties, and our guys looked like they were standing in mud too often. I had flashbacks to the 2009 Rose Bowl and USC wide receivers torching Anthony Scirrotto and Mark Rubin all over again. But at least this time they never gave up the really big play.
The most disturbing thing to me about the secondary is that they haven't forced a turnover yet this season. They haven't even been close. They need to start jumping some routes and trying to create some interceptions to set up the offense for some easy scores. They can't go on letting guys make the catch in front of them and hanging on to the ball carrier for dear life until help arrives to make the tackle.
Grade: C
Special Teams
Nothing much to complain about here. Anthony Fera shanking three of his four punts. Each one went under 40 yards. Though Stephfon Green didn't break any long kick returns, I liked the pace of the blocking in front of him. Much better than last year where the kick return blockers lined up at the 15 yard line and treaded water until the runner was up their backs.
Collin Wagner hit his one field goal attempt.
Grade: B (Fera gets a D)
Defensive Coaching
I'm really concerned about the disregard for fundamental tackling we saw last night. The defense, and particularly the front seven, did not come prepared to play.
When Richardson started running them over, it looked to me like Bradley countered with some run blitzes to get his linebackers running forward instead of waiting for Richardson to come to them. So once Alabama realized this they went to the passing game, and McElroy masterfully hit his hot routes in the areas vacated by the blitzes.
At this point, what do you do as a defensive coach? Do you sit back and let Richardson run your guys over? Or do you try to apply pressure and give up big plays? I don't know the answer, and neither did Tom Bradley. When your players are getting beat up and not tackling, there's only so much you can do as a coach in the course of the game.
That said, we didn't let anything deter us from sitting back in the same old Cover-3 defense. It's bad enough we sit our safeties back there like traffic cones, but can't we mix it up once in a while? For all the innovation and creativity we've seen in the offense in recent years, we still sit back in Cover-3 on every passing down. Every time McElroy broke the huddle on a passing play last night, he walked up under center knowing he was going to be facing a Cover-3 defense. I don't understand why they don't at least try to disguise it or give the quarterback something to think about. Why we handicap ourselves in this way is beyond me.
Grade: C-
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I agree...
I thought we were a little to lenient on these guys last week (a win can mask some of the deficiencies), but we are showing some really poor fundamentals at positions that are typically strengths year in and out (LB, DL).
Totally agree on the lack of turnovers. Its incredible that we can’t force a fumble or at least tip a pass.
Also I’m tired of BBDS. Its one thing to let the other guys get their yards, but we do basically nothing to punish the open receiver after the catch.
Very upset about Hodges too. I wonder if we play Fortt? Not convinced that Bani is the guy.
I think the Hodges injury really hurt them when they went to nickel
Going into the game, I would have assumed the nickel LB’s to be Mauti and Hodges. I believe they wound up replacing Hodges with Stupar and he had no chance of keeping up with those receivers on the crossing routes (or making the play after the catch for that matter).
I think you are dead on
The tackling was poor in the first half against YSU and it showed up again against ‘Bama. I’ll give Richardson his credit, but the D-line was allowing huge holes and the LBs rarely were square when they filled the holes. And even when they were Richardson just bowled them over.
Hodges hurts a lot, I really like him.
Eh
I’ve been a little more rosey about the defense. I just think we were totally and completely unprepared to handle that kind of a talent at RB. We have enormous athelticism and talent in the front 7 and guys were just bounching off of him. Poor tackling maybe, but we’ll find out as the season progresses just how much of that was b/c Richardson is ridiculous.
The CB’s played well and the safeties played poorly b/c they were trying to stop the run. The DE’s weren’t very good, that was the most disappointing thing for me.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
Call it sour grapes,
but I’m not sold on Richardson. Penn St has stopped good RBs in the past. If Richardson turns out to be Ingram or better, I’ll concede. Until then, I attribute his success to the front seven’s failure to be physical.
"Until somebody knocks you on your rear end, and pardon me ladies, but unless somebody knocks you on your rear end, you're never going to learn." - Joe Paterno
by Illegal Formation on Sep 13, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Do you remember the difference between OSU 2007/2008
In 2007, Beanie Wells ran all over us for. The complaints were the same: we couldn’t match up physically with the Buckeyes.
In 2008, we completely dominated that same back, in his house. I don’t think he even had 60 yards on the night.
My point is that PSU has struggled with NFL-caliber backs, but they’ve also shown the ability to shut them down. This defense is probably a year away from being able to put up an OSU 2008 performance against an elite back.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps,
but that front 7 is loaded with talent and has some of the best coaching in the country. Maybe it’s a matter of unrealized potential, but either way they played badly on Sat.
"Until somebody knocks you on your rear end, and pardon me ladies, but unless somebody knocks you on your rear end, you're never going to learn." - Joe Paterno
by Illegal Formation on Sep 13, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
what front 7 is loaded with talent?
our current one? I disagree
I don’t wanna get too down on our guys, but I don’t think our front seven is that good yet. Ogbu is the only one producing right now. Still is young and should grow into the role. I think our LB situation is a mess. Hodges going down broke my heart, he was the most exciting player out there in week one.
Thought Hill had one of his best games. Agree with what you said.
I’m not that impressed with the front seven. Potential, yes. Definitely missed Hodges.
Agreed
The defensive ends are very average. Crawford might be an animal in the weight room, but he needs to start producing on the field. Did Latimore even play on Saturday night? Colasanti doesn’t look aggressive enough to me. Bani and Stupar are too undisciplined.
They're not that good yet,
but it seems like the talent is there. I trust Vanderlinden when he says the LB pool is deep. I’ll admit that DE seems like a problem.
"Until somebody knocks you on your rear end, and pardon me ladies, but unless somebody knocks you on your rear end, you're never going to learn." - Joe Paterno
by Illegal Formation on Sep 13, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't completely agree w/ the Ollie comment
He is playing better than the rest, but not great. I only re-watched the first quarter from Saturday, but it seemed to me that when he got some depth he was knocked 2-3 yards down the line opening a big gap behind him (on the stretch type plays). Then, when he got depth straight ahead (1-1.5 yds) he was put on his stomach by their guard.
Have you ever seen a DE get off the ball as slowly as Crawford?
by PSUinBOSSton on Sep 13, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
he's not an explosive pass rusher, for sure
I like what I’ve seen from Stanley, he stood out against Y-state too.
we’re gonna see a lot of guys get minutes this year at LB, Dline, RB, Oline.
Seriously? Really?
Perhaps you should view a few of last years games with Richardson. He never goes down on first contact. Never.
I'm sold on him. Fabulous runner, hope he stays healthy.
People are nuts that don’t believe what they saw on Saturday. They must be too young to remember our own Enis having a similar style. I haven’t seen a runner like Richardson in quite a few years, anywhere in the college landscape.
similar to Enis, hmm?
Somebody better check Richardson’s closet for a suit, then. We all know how buddy buddy the agents can be with the Bama players ;-)
by The JuggerNitt on Sep 14, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Julio Jones was held to 4 catches.
It’s always hard to tell on TV, but it looked like he was frequently matched up with Lynn. D’Anton Lynn is a beast.
"Until somebody knocks you on your rear end, and pardon me ladies, but unless somebody knocks you on your rear end, you're never going to learn." - Joe Paterno
by Illegal Formation on Sep 13, 2010 10:24 AM EDT reply actions
Definitely
All game I kept thinking “man at least we’re shutting down Jones”
That may be the best WR we face all year based on the preseason hype, and Lynn took him out of the game.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
Richardson
Whether the linebackers are catching or driving through the man, when you’re making contact 7 yards downfield the difference is moot.
I’ve been pretty vocal here that the defense should be a greater concern of ours. Honestly, how many very good offenses over the past 5 years has PSU shut down? OSU in ‘05 (Not sure you can count OSU in ’08). I love bradley and LJS but we always have matchup challenges against physical teams.
I was at the game and it was pretty clear that Bama did minimal gameplanning on either side of the ball. The difference wasn’t SEC speed, it was strength.
by InScoresOfOtherGames on Sep 13, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions
They were making contact within 2 yards of the line
over 75% of Richardson’s yards were after contact, that was the stat the announcers gave during the game.
PSU's Defense...
is the usually the aggressor. Saturday they were not and it showed. The defense did not play all that great, but had the offense executed better in the red zone…… After Bama forced the INT and had the ball on about the 3, the defense needed to make a stop. Instead Richardson ran for about 70 yards in three plays. That hurt.
The defense misses playermakers like Lee and to a lesser extent Hull.
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 13, 2010 10:30 AM EDT reply actions
LB's and Safeties
Colasanti and Gbadyu are pretty much a waste at this point. They have had 4 years to prove themselves and well there is a reason they never really saw much time. The lack of proper form tackling is really disturbing, and the pursuit angles as well. It was hard watching guys not hit someone in the mouth, but instead just get run over, or whiff.
Onto Sukay and Astorino. I’m sorry but this experiment needs to be ended ASAP. Sukay is perpetually out of position on just about every crossing route and or deep ball. I understand Astorino works hard, but he’s not a starting safety. One of the pass plays where he made a tackle, he had a chance to try to break up the pass, instead he tried to lay the lumber and the WR still came down with it. I miss the 05 ballhawk Scirrotto Hero.
agreed
… Sukay looked lost out there.
by RudyWasOffsides on Sep 13, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Not a sukay fan here
The only time I ever say his name is usually something along the lines of “G-dammit sukay.”
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
hypothetically, whod you rather have back there
sukay, snookie or sookie stackhouse?
This can also be used for a kill, screw, marry game.
Robert Bolden - "LePoise in Cleats"
With her Vamp and Wearwolf friends....
Sookie in a heartbeat. Strength speed and psychic ability.
I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?
Kill Snookie, Marry Sookie, and… Shit. There’s no way you can win this game.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
sure there is
F Sookie, kill Snookie, and marry Sukay. Players and former players must have some inside track to season tickets for them and their family, right? This can be like that “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” movie.
by The JuggerNitt on Sep 14, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Wasn’t Sukay completely out of position on the touchdown pass that went over Gbadyu? I seem to remember him coming up and being out of position.
Yeah, I remember being confused because if we were playing with the safety deep, I had no clue how their guy got behind our LB and safety.
The only thing I was thinking was that
they had some sort of wrinkle where if the TE went deep, the LB would stay with him and Sukay would press up. In theory, that would keep you from running off the safety with the TE and then coming across the middle with a WR on the LB. Either way, someone screwed up because their big old TE should not have been behind anyone in that situation.
He bit on a play action.
Problem was, there was no play action. McElroy just dropped back.
by PSUinBOSSton on Sep 13, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Awesome comment
Actually made me laugh when I read it. Well done.
Safeties
Assuming these figures from gopsusports.com are correct, below are our safeties’ stats since ’04:
Year – Player – Solo – Assist – Int
’10 – Sukay – 3 – 6 – 0
’10 – Astorino -3 – 5 – 0
’09 – Sukay – 21 – 20 – 2
’09 – Astorino – 37 – 25 – 1
’08 – Rubin – 30 – 30 – 2
’08 – Astorino – 29 – 10 – 2
’08 – Scirrotto – 36 – 25 – 2
’07 – Scirrotto – 28 – 37 – 3
’07 – Rubin – 17 – 15 – 0
’06 – Johnson/McCready/Scirrotto – no stats on gopsu
’05 – Lowry – 48 – 31 – 4
’05 – Harrell – 50 – 38 – 1
’04 – Lowry – 21 – 6 – 2
’04 – Guman – 30 – 13 – 0
Yeah, but
Mark Rubin beat that swimmer guy in a race.
by PSUinBOSSton on Sep 13, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Base defense
I dont’ know about anyone else, but I cringed every time Alabama came out in their spread formation or their empty backfield look. Saban seemed to know what defense we were running (just like BSD mentioned about McElroy) and knew that our linebackers/safeties couldn’t match up with his receivers/running backs. I don’t remember seeing too many times when PSU brought in additional defensive backs to match up. I know our linebackers are usually a strength, but I don’t know if we can expect them to match up with that kind of speed. (I have a feeling that’s going to be the exact same thing OSU does to us) Without sufficient pressure up front, McElroy had all day to make decisions. I know it’s a problem when you bring in additional db’s because then you’re more exposed to the run, but just seemed like our base defense wasn’t working.
After the game, Saban said they knew from watching tape that if they went with an empty backfield PSU would not bring pressure.
The defense is too predictable. We revamped the offense in 2005. Time to do the same with the defense. I just want to know of this stubborness to change on defense is coming from Joe or Scrap.
by BSD on Sep 13, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Before we overhaul the D...
lets get the basics like tackling down, first.
But in the long run, I agree. This defense is limited against talented offenses.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow…I hadn’t heard that. Kind of puts that into perspective when the opposing coach does such a great job of game planning that he knows what we’re going to do before we do it. And I’m sure if you rewatched the game, PSU probably didn’t bring any pressure with an empty backfield.
And again, that concerns me that OSU is going to do the same thing. I think our defensive style has worked for so long because the majority of the Big Ten isn’t fast enough or good enough to consistently spread us out. At least not with the type of athletes Bama and OSU have. So I completely agree that something needs to be updated and changed. Can’t keep doing the same thing and hope for different results.
They didn't
I rewatched the game yesterday. When Alabama went with an empty backfield PSU usually just rushed the front four. When that didn’t work they started rushing just three guys.
I wonder if they’re in love with this strategy from the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. It’s the same thing they didn’t to Testaverde and he threw five interceptions. They’re hoping the QB makes mistakes. It might work for a gun slinger like Testaverde, but for a game manager like McElroy it was disasterous.
Agree...
they won the 87 Fiesta Bowl because they used Miami’s own hubris against them.
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 13, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Pressure
Testeverde was also sacked a good bit in that game if I remember correctly which helped get in his head. McElroy needed to end up on his ass early and often. When the LB’s couldn’t get there we should have either inserted a faster LB (normally Hodges but with his injury Kahri Fortt) or brought a corner or safety. Didn’t bring one DB the whole night though. Disgusting!
I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?
We got there with the blitz
in the Miami game too….gotta mix it up.
I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?
And this is why Pryor doesn't concern me nearly as much as McElroy or Stanzi.
"Now you put a Pamper on him and send him back out here." - Ray Isom, 1987 Fiesta Bowl
by ReadingRambler on Sep 13, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Not sure about revamping.
A 4-man rush should be able to generate pressure much of the time. If it can’t, you’re probably in trouble either way.
"Until somebody knocks you on your rear end, and pardon me ladies, but unless somebody knocks you on your rear end, you're never going to learn." - Joe Paterno
by Illegal Formation on Sep 13, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Scrap doesn't game plan
like Sandusky did. Your 86 piece reminded me how Sandusky would constantly change his base D and blitz package depending on who we played. The other thing I ALWAYS bitch about is our GD cover three. We have the corners to mix in man-to-man, Cover 2, Nickel, Dime whatever. Did anyone notice on the incompletion from Bolden where the corner on Moye was in his face and basically didn’t let him get off the line? We can do this with both Morris and Lynn. Why don’t we? The other thing changing up the secondary coverage does is allow for different blitz packages. Bradley is killing our D by playing this don’t give up the deep ball D. Penn State was too conservative on Saturday….but it wasn’t the O. We had nothing to lose on the road but played a Vanilla scheme that ensured defeat.
I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?
You need good safeties to play press coverage.
With the hero in the box on every play, we won’t get it done.
by PSUinBOSSton on Sep 13, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Powell...
is it time to move him back to defense again? Not because of his fumble, but because I think we’re OK on offense at WR (moye, brown, zug, kersey, smith, and maybe Drake comes back).
Perhaps he can play both ways from here on out and help out at safety? Could it be much worse than the current situation?
Is he a good tackler?
Or better than whomever else we have back there now? He might be more athletic than a guy like Astorino, but if he’s a worse tackler, what are we really gaining with that trade?
If Drake didn't get hurt yes
but without the Drake….we really don’t have a WR like Powell (i.e. burner with the ability to break tackles)
I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?
I don't know
… I’d move him back to the secondary, personally. I’d let him return kicks, since he showed some talent for that last week, but I don’t think we need him to play WR. The passing attack should absolutely be based around the tall guys… Moye, Brown, and Brackett (and Zug if he agrees to catch wide open balls like he did all last season). We’ve got Devon Smith for speed (who our coaches have fallen deeply, deeply in friggin’ love with). Throw in Kersey and the Drake (when he returns)… we just don’t have a need to throw Chaz in that mix.
I dunno...
I’m grasping at straws.
We had the same safetys last season and they seem to be regressing this year.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Interesting
If Powell can tackle, I say move him.
Powell and Newsome for safeties – coming 2011? Anyone with me?
They need to move him to the bench
Aside from special teams, I remeber two plays of his this year. One is a dropped pass against YSU and the second is a fumble.
Don't forget
The B&W game where McGloin/Newsome hit him right int he chest with an errant pass and he wasn’t even close to hanging on to it. During the game I said “see, that’s why he was moved to DB” his move back to WR is a little wierd IMO.
In the old days of PSU having limited talent, we put our fastest guys on offense, but we’re loaded with speed on offense now a days. Guys like Kersey deserve a bigger shot than Chaz at this point.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
I'm starting to see a trend here in this defense
Sure, we can hold up with mid to good talent teams, say Iowa, LSU, Tenn, Oregon St. etc. But over the past several years Ohio State, USC, Alabama even Notre Dave in 06 have completely exploited the same parts of the defense. To me, it doesn’t matter if Ronnie Lott is playing safety sitting back and letting the teams see the same defense over and over again is going to lead to a loss when the other team has better talent. I have to say this had alot to do with why we havent seen a Penn State upset in over a decade.
"That's why you don't play! 'Cuz you're no good!" -Joe Paterno
We've had several upsets over OSU
2001, 2005, 2008. Those were great games and I don’t believe we were favored in any of them.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you
although I did say before the game the same thing about us being due for an upset. I guess those OSU games, while technically we were dogs, it felt like we had a great shot at winning those games (maybe not 01). But games like Saturday ,or OSU this year or in 07, or USC in the rose bowl, or Notre Dame/Ohio State in 06. Games where we are pretty overmatched on paper, penn state is due to win a game like that.
You’re correct, those games are upsets, but they dont feel the same way because I think we were as good or better than those OSU teams you mentioned. We seemed to be nominal underdogs. Beating Alabama/Ohio State this year would be, to me, much more significant because i dont think we have the same type of talent or maturity yet to really compete with those teams.
Robert Bolden - "LePoise in Cleats"
Penn State = What you see is what you get
Has it ever been any different under Paterno?
Not saying I’m happy about Saturday’s results, but if we had done the little things right (tackling, blocking, no turnovers), your likely seeing a different score from last saturday.
Whenever we win an upset…or I guess I should say…whenever we beat OSU…. Every little thing has basically gone right in those games. No turnovers and solid execution even if it lacks flare. The players show 100% discipline.
We weren’t going to beat Bama by over matching them with talent. We weren’t going to beat USC based on talent. Those victories could only come with execution.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
You're correct on several fronts.
Generally, I agree. But it’s becoming more and more clear that the standard PSU Cover 2 can’t hang against an actual team. Both USC out executed and out coached on the defensive side of the ball.
On the opposite side of the coin, I thought that save several execution problems, the offense had a game plan that we could have won with. I didn’t see anything out of our defense that leads me to believe we could have ended that game with more points than Alabama. They scored pretty much whenever they wanted.
I also am not a huge fan of Richard Nixon. Also, I need 5 or 6 for the Temple game.
Beat Kent State.
I completely agree
Paterno game plans so that if everything goes right, we have a chance to win late in those games (games where we’re obviously “outmanned”). 2005 and 2008 OSU are the picture perfect Paterno games (of late). They had more talent, we executed better; the result was we had a chance to win late in the 4th and we did.
Against USC, Green’s fumble and our inability to convert on 3rd and short after Royster went out doomed us. Remember we ended the game on the goal line down by 14 — take away one critical mistake during the game and we’d have been in the game late in the 4th.
ND 2006 and Alabama 2010 are the same games, young defense, brand new QB, and you get blown out on the road.
If we had executed on offense, it would have been at least 24-9 potentially 24-17. We could have been right where Paterno wanted us: with the ball and within a TD in the 4th quarter (just like OSU 2008).
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
going into the game I kept telling myself
“so long as we don’t have a repeat of ND 2006 I’ll feel good about this game”. I’m not really sure where I stand yet, as I feel like the games were pretty similar (essentially that thoroughly dominated feeling), though I feel better about some aspects, and worse about others.
by The JuggerNitt on Sep 14, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
going into the game I kept telling myself
“so long as we don’t have a repeat of ND 2006 I’ll feel good about this game”. I’m not really sure where I stand yet, as I feel like the games were pretty similar (essentially that thoroughly dominated feeling), though I feel better about some aspects, and worse about others.
by The JuggerNitt on Sep 14, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
cover 3 only works if...
you don’t give up passes over your head (TD over Sukay in the endzone) and your deep guys come up and make sure/punishing tackles on underneath and crossing routes. Our DBs do neither. I can’t remember the last time we had a big hit from Astorino/Sukay and they are not sure tacklers. Instead, they are continually taking bad angles and chasing crossing receivers. the intermediate to deep in route works against us every time. its no good to keep people in front of you if its 15 yards down the field.
that said, I think our corners have good talent and played pretty well, especially Lynn.
+1
I think when you commit to cover 3, you have to commit to laying the wood on those receivers using your safetys and LBs.
Whenever Bama had a big pass play, there were 3-4 PSU jerseys around the guy when he made the catch and none were in a position to make a play.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
i saw the same thing.
though maybe McElroy is better than most in finding the gaps in the zone. still someone needs to make a hit or break up the play at least some of the time.
yep...
watch some clips of the OSU-Miami game. UM’s receivers made some catches, but there was always a DB ready to make the hit and they knocked the ball out a number of times.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
"Somebody needs to make a play"
should be what these guys are preaching.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Re: Our Youth
Ummm, I believe most of us came into this game from nearly the same space: we are young, they are good; it’s gonna be a physical game, outcome hinging on turnovers. Some of our best guys haven’t played much football yet. Devon Still has never seen that kind of professional cut blocking. Do we think Sam McGuffie prepared Michael Mauti, in his few 2008 snaps, for tackling the likes of Richardson? For that matter, have LJ, Scrap and Vandy seen many teams employ as many offensive looks as Alabama did? Alabama’s better, top to bottom.
But we competed.
We stopped them on 7 out of 10 3rd down attempts and held them to less than us in Time of Possession (30:33 to 29:27) D’Anton Lynn was great against both pass and run and finished with 9 tackles, Jordan Hill and Pete Massaro had good games. This team, even on Defense, is still too inexperienced to overcome 4 turnovers against Alabama, even when Nick Saban throws us a surprisingly kind bone by punting on 4&1 from our 33. Raise your hand if you don’t think every one of our young defensive players learned more Sat night than they had in any single game previously.
The challenge in front of them now is to build on it, and get good enough to beat them next year.
Our defense can still grow to become excellent.
by jtothep on Sep 13, 2010 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 8 recs
The hope is that...
the team saw what it is like to play at that level and builds on it.
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 13, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Sorry to see your signature change,
but I like where your head’s at.
"Until somebody knocks you on your rear end, and pardon me ladies, but unless somebody knocks you on your rear end, you're never going to learn." - Joe Paterno
by Illegal Formation on Sep 13, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Thank you, jtot.
"Now you put a Pamper on him and send him back out here." - Ray Isom, 1987 Fiesta Bowl
by ReadingRambler on Sep 13, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
And also,
When Joe is admitting he was outcoached (Along with they “kicked the crap out of us”), we often find improvement afterwards. The fact is that nothing motivates Joe Paterno like being outcoached.
"Now you put a Pamper on him and send him back out here." - Ray Isom, 1987 Fiesta Bowl
by ReadingRambler on Sep 13, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Disagree about the scheme
No scheme works if your defensive line ends each running play ~5 yards off the ball. The quick linemen that PSU recruits on both sides of the ball helps us win most games, but when we match up with teams that have comparable speed but a significant size advantage (Bama, OSU, Iowa) we get pushed off the ball. I believe our back 7 is fine.
While we all love LJ, how many of these d linemen have gone on to successful NFL careers? Northwestern has more to show in terms of producing comparable NFL D linemen.
by InScoresOfOtherGames on Sep 13, 2010 11:25 AM EDT reply actions
I don't really get your point.
PSU has put plenty of DL in the NFL. What happens to them after that is totally up to the player as to whether they have a successful career. PSU is not some sort of NFL factory/training camp.
We consistently have a top DL in the B10 and that strength alone helps us win a lot of games. I think the arguments here are how the back 7 are being used and if thats effective.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Crawford to me is the new Justin King
I feel like I am going to here how much talent he has for 4 years and just never see it. I would prefer to see Stanley in the game over him at this point as I think he is more complete.
"Wherever you go, Penn State will go with you. You are now a part of her. Her image will be cast in your image. Your reputation will become her reputation."
He was held an awful lot.
If you go back and watch the game, check out how many times the tackle has one army across his upper chest with a fistful of jersey.
I will say, I have not been impressed yet this season either
but he was practically dragged down on a lot of plays.
I couldn't see the holds from my position in nosebleed north.
Doesn’t surprise me, though.
For the glory
Fera wasn't a D
More like a C+. For all the shanking, he had a net of 36 due to no returnable punts. He also didn’t have any kicks blocked. Folks were enamored with Boone, but he often outkicked the coverage with insufficient hang time and took forever to get the ball off his foot. Fera was getting air under the ball with a quick release.
There is room for improvement—less shanking—but Fera’s kicking style should help us in the long run even if he’s not hitting many 50+ yarders.
agree. Really only one bad punt, the 29 yarder.
It seemed he was supposed to kick away from Jones too. Would like that net at about 39 but had the 29 yarder been 39, he would have had it.
Our LBs will get there
I’m not worried about the LBs as a group. They will mature. There is simply too much talent for them not to get better this season. DL is another story. Lattimore and Jack had plenty of playing time last year and have not made improvement. I mean Lattimore was completely neutralized. At least Stanley has a better motor and pursues down the line better.
Mossaro was penciled in a starter before he tore up his knee.
He is looking better all the time, yes Stanley has nice agressiveness, just needs to wrap when he tackles.
With the way we rotate in DL
It’s probably more for depth. And you can never have enough pass rushers.
Put aside the Linebacker U hype for a second
Bani and Colasanti are two guys who have struggled to see playing time their entire careers. They are truly unknowns going into this season. I don’t want to fall into the trap of thinking they are eventually going to be awesome just because we’re Linebacker U, baby!
by BSD on Sep 13, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's a tough call
On one hand all 3 of our LB’s last year made NFL rosters. That means their backups should still have been prety good, just not NFL-roster-good. But how big of a drop off is there? Well, pretty big one apparently.
I think the notion was we’d be good at LB simply b/c we’d be more athletic and healthy. Maybe we are more athletic, but Lee and Hull (and eventually Bowman) all spoiled us on fundamental football. I believe very much Hull and or Lee would have wrapped up Richardson in that game.
I just can’t remember a RB running over our LB since before 2005, and more then likely we’re spoiled by Poz, Connor, and Lee.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
Last part is probably true, but it wasn’t like Hull didn’t take a ton of heat in this space during his time at PSU. And Bowman was often criticized after big games for poor performance (last year vs. OSU especially). I know we remember fondly, and all of our starting LBs have been very good on the average, but how many running games did we face like this since 2005?
Right
Hull was on the fence for a lot of people. Some thought he was good, some thought he wasn’t. But I don’t think anyone thought he was great.
Colasanti couldn’t beat out the guy that people couldn’t make up their mind on which makes me think what we see is what we get. This is his fourth year in the program. He’s not going to get any better than what we saw on Saturday IMO.
Same goes for Bani. It’s his fifth year in the program, and he looks like the same old Bani. Tons of speed but out of control. If it were up to me, our linebackers would be Hodges, Mauti, and Stupar. I’d like to see Yancich get a shot to see what he can do in Hodges’s absense.
Agree
I think that you’re dead on with Colasanti and Bani. They are who we think they are. If you haven’t started or played a lot for 4 or 5 years it’s because you either had really amazing people in front of you, or you just weren’t good enough. Granted, there have been some great guys in front of them, but if they were that good, I think they would have played. For all the talk about poor schemes and prep, the D coaches do seem to get guys in if they show they have talent. So if either of these guys was something great, they’d find ways for them to play (i.e. Mauti). So just because now they have moved up the depth chart because of other guys leaving, doesn’t mean they have gotten any better.
True, but...
I don’t know if it was late third or sometime in the 4th. The game was finally back down at our end of the field where we could watch without the use of the Jumbotron. The one person on the defense who was animated and trying to get his guys to make a play was Bani Gbadyu. To me, that is a Penn State linebacker.
by PSUflyfisherman on Sep 13, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Our problems summarized in two words.
White. Safeties.
We’ll never win a game against a team with a solid downfield passing attack with two white dudes playing safety.
It’s not 1972 any more.
by Tailgate Shogun on Sep 13, 2010 12:26 PM EDT reply actions
It's like my buddy said to me at the game, after watching T Rich just run over people
in the first half… “You guys need more players that look like slaves…just look at them (referring to Bama)”
He’s right.
sounds like you need some new friends.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
obviously it was said in jest, but there is some truth to that statement
our players look completely different that Bama players.
Bama looked yoked
PSU looked soft
Take this shit elsewhere
I’ve got zero tolerance for this flavor of ignorance.
Our defense can still grow to become excellent.
are people actually serious with this stuff?
If Sukay and/or astorino need to sit its because they are not playing good football, it has nothing to do with skin color. Comments like these have no place here or anywhere else. If you want to discuss football, then do it by discussing how poorly they’ve played. not sure how that correlates to anything else but bad play.
I havent said anything up to this point about this ridiculous race stuff because i thought and still do, honestly it is a crackpot idea. But this stuff is getting offensive and embarrasing to me, not only as a Penn State fan but as a human being. Im sorry your friend feels that way and im not trying to single you out, but this comment was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. That line of thinking is wayward and silly, and id hope next time you think twice about hitting the post button.
Robert Bolden - "LePoise in Cleats"
Sadly, yes.
When people like Bobby Bowden and tWWL still bring up ‘Southern Speed’ on a regular basis, yes we still have to deal with this crap.
So the fact
that a disproportionate number of the top football recruits (especially skill positions) come from the southeast is racist?
Er, Mr. Payne. Sir. You know every second that you could let us out early would really increase our chances of survival.
It's like our sergeant told us before one trip into the jungle.
Men!
Fifty of you are leaving on a mission. Twenty-five of you ain't coming back.
by otisnixon'sparty on Sep 13, 2010 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I want to make it clear
I am not a Penn State fan, however I merely wanted to get a different perspective. I also do not think ill of any one here, nor did I intend to look for a reason to comment. I posted what I did because individuals said things I could not ignore.
Er, Mr. Payne. Sir. You know every second that you could let us out early would really increase our chances of survival.
It's like our sergeant told us before one trip into the jungle.
Men!
Fifty of you are leaving on a mission. Twenty-five of you ain't coming back.
by otisnixon'sparty on Sep 13, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
I don’t know if all you say is true, but even if it is the fact that you would post it is extremely enlightening as to your beliefs.
Er, Mr. Payne. Sir. You know every second that you could let us out early would really increase our chances of survival.
It's like our sergeant told us before one trip into the jungle.
Men!
Fifty of you are leaving on a mission. Twenty-five of you ain't coming back.
by otisnixon'sparty on Sep 13, 2010 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions
We do have black guys that play Safety
How come they are relegated to 2nd string if they’re so much more better?
Because Joe hates the Irish like Devlin. Or something.
"Now you put a Pamper on him and send him back out here." - Ray Isom, 1987 Fiesta Bowl
by ReadingRambler on Sep 13, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
But mainly Sukay
He’s always the icing on a cake of bitterness whenever the D gives up a huge play.
Your brother or cousin or whatever RUTS needs to put a stop to this.
Or maybe Tyler Sash can knock on your door, introduce himself, and hand you a blood chit that says, “Hello. This is an All-American. Please give him aid and help him to the nearest center for white skill players.”
"Now you put a Pamper on him and send him back out here." - Ray Isom, 1987 Fiesta Bowl
by ReadingRambler on Sep 13, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Pick up your game Shogun
Comments like these wipe out thousands of your good ones.
Our defense can still grow to become excellent.
Agreed
No more talk about race on here. It doesn’t matter what the color of their skin is. Either they can play or they can’t. Leave it at that.
I have to appologize for my snarkiness today. I have stayed out of the racial debate though I have found it disgusting that people look at the color under the uniform. I left FOS 2 yrs ago because of the way people spoke about players and coaches. Today I felt a few of the threads have fallen into the same type of commentary. I have no problem with someone thinking one player is better than another or trying to diagnose coaching errors. I don’t like comments about a player being trash, rude personal attacks on players or coaches. I imagine most of these people have never played anything competitive over 12 or 13 yrs old and definitely don’t have kids that have. There are respectful ways of addressing the issues here but I feel that respect has been thrown out the door today. I have come to expect more from BSD than the sniping that has gone on today. I have called out a couple posters and I appologize again for that but the level of discussion today has not been to BSD standards
by BMAN13 on Sep 13, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I get tired of this same crap after every single loss.
Mike, I’m not trying to pick on any posters, I won’t even name any. But it sure seems like there are some who only pop up to bask in negativity and I can see how that would annoy someone.
"Now you put a Pamper on him and send him back out here." - Ray Isom, 1987 Fiesta Bowl
by ReadingRambler on Sep 13, 2010 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
THIS
I was a long-time lurker on FOS and the negativity just drove me away. Occasionally I pop by for recruiting info, but the thread topics never change.
I came to BSD for a breath of fresh air. To talk about real Penn State football and not the ticky-tack issues that are continuously recycled over there. I’m aware of what kind of program PSU runs and I’m not in any kind of position with the expertise to tell the players, the coaches, Tim Curley or Joe Paterno how to do their job.
You win some and you lose some. Fortunately for Penn State, JoePa wins a lot more than he loses.
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 13, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I hear ya
Unfortunately, it’s easier and more satisfying to complain and point out problems with the program than it is to accentuate the positive things and be optimistic. It’s just human nature.
What I don’t like around here is all of the personal attacks I see lately. I see users attacking each other. Every visiting fan that comes in here gets automatically labeled as a troll. Users are personally attacking players and coaches. It’s pretty sad, but as BSD gets bigger it’s harder and harder to manage.
I'm not sure what you mean by visiting fan.
Do you mean PSU fans or fans of other teams. Because the only visiting fan I’ve seen labeled was some guy from Oklahoma who was trolling.
Tom Bradley's fortune cookie says: "Best defense is good offense."
Beat Kent State.
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Fans from other schools
When Alabama fans started coming in here warning us about Richardson, a lot of people were quick to label them as trolls.
That was just one guy IIRC.
Not that it matters much, I see your point.
Tom Bradley's fortune cookie says: "Best defense is good offense."
Beat Kent State.
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, swiggy you got called both a troll and a d!ckhead.
I was probably one of those quick to label some Alabama fans as trolls, but that’s because I have a history and experience with them that no one else does on here. I applauded the nice ones and called out the ones I thought were obnoxious.
For the glory
Didn't mean to touch a nerve here
Just don’t think that Sukay or Astorino (for whatever reason) would start at safety for any other top 10 team. Yet mysteriously they start for us, despite routinely making mistakes in coverage against mildly above average passing attacks.
By the way, check the two teams playing the title game at the end of the year, and see if any of the dudes playing DB look like I do. Here’s a hint: They won’t. Not saying race makes someone better or worse… just making an observation kids.
by Tailgate Shogun on Sep 14, 2010 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions
You made your point, but it’s an ignorant one.
There is probably some truth to the fact that Astorino and Sukay would not start on any top 10 team, but you can’t tie that to the color of their skin. When you say Penn State shouldn’t play white safeties, you are advocating discriminationwhich is why people get sensitive about it. If you say “Whites need not apply”, where do we go from there? No more white linebackers? Just let Poz, Lee, and Connor go play for Ohio State I guess. Hmmm…I wonder if the black kid can kick it further than Collin Wagner.
I suggest in the future you change your message and just say Penn State needs to recruit more athletic safeties. I don’t think anyone can argue with that. Just keep skin color out of the conversation, because frankly this disgusts me that I have to address this here.
by BSD on Sep 14, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
i'll send this debate in another direction
Paterno needs to quit playing italian american favorites.
Astorino is his boy…so is Colasanti…so was Scirotto…the list goes on and on. And some were quite capable. All americans even. (think Benfatti early 90’s) But some have no business being multi year starters
This is one of the few things I’m looking forward to when Joe retires.
(throw hands up in the air)
The car has officially spun out of control. We’re heading toward the dtich. Have at it, boys.
have you ever noticed how JoePa also only ever plays players who wear white pants?
What’s with that?
by The JuggerNitt on Sep 14, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
How comes we never have players with dreadlocks?
Why is Joe so afraid of other cultures?
Tom Bradley's fortune cookie says: "Best defense is good offense."
Beat Kent State.
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
he's not afraid of other cultures, I know you were joking anyway
but he has his favorites, he almost openly admits as much in his comments to the media
I was just stirring a little s(p)it here is all
Your point is accurate and well said.
Penn State can and should play athletic safeties. Meaning, not these two.
All this conversation and no ’that’s racist .gif’? We’re slipping here.
by Tailgate Shogun on Sep 14, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
meah
I’m ahead of the curve on optimism, apparently. They were writing articles in southern papers about how this might be the best Alabama offense of all time. It’s a bold claim but not that unreasonable, and Bama looked the part this week. Our defense is brand new, we’re not going to have the most incredible fundamentals or the ability to throw in four different packages to confuse the offense—we’re too young for that. We waited for the offense to make mistakes, they made none. No need to totally throw out the plan that basically gave us a free pass in the polls this year despite losing last year’s Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Year and three linebackers that are on NFL rosters because we gave up 24 to #1 Alabama.
They’ll get better, Bolden is going to be special, and giving up 24 to the best team in the country will mean PSU has a pretty good chance of beating the best team in the country in the future.
Hear hear
I think (and hope) that the defense we see by the end of the year will be much better/different than the one we are seeing now. Hopefully enough so that we have a seasoned, experienced unit ready for 2011.
24
Neither Texas nor Florida held ’bama to 24 last year.
I was disappointed with the line, but it’s just one game. In 2 games, we’ve played arguably the least and most talented teams we’ll face this year – too early for judgment.
"Until somebody knocks you on your rear end, and pardon me ladies, but unless somebody knocks you on your rear end, you're never going to learn." - Joe Paterno
by Illegal Formation on Sep 13, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING: F-
Penn State was boys playing against men out there…. from where i was sitting, Alabama was running through us, around us, and over us and there wasn’t we were doing to stop it… They were obviously better trained physically than we were. I think a lot of our guys, a lot of the time were in the right place, but just weren’t physically strong enough to handle the Alabama offense.
Numerous times, i heard, “there he goes again” or “it takes your whole team to tackle one guy?” from Alabama fans… They were all great people, but it was obvious where we were compared to them. It wasn’t even close. A friend of mine said going into the game that we couldn’t start out in a 14-0 hole and thats exactly what we did. When Bama scored that first TD by just running through 5 arm tackles and diving into the endzone, it was over. Penn State had a few high points, but it was over.
When it comes down to it, like i said, we were in the right position, but we were boys playing men strength wise. If this isn’t a wake up call to JT and the strength staff, than i don’t know what is. Penn State players were just bouncing off Trent Richardson and Julio jones (sp?). They’re obviously on another level than we are and i hope we do something in the weight room to wake up and smell the roses…..
I’m glad we played this game though as a wake up call…. at least it wasn’t YSU, syracuse, kent state, temple and then iowa because their D ends smacking Bolden in the face would have been….
Also i’m glad James Madison beat Va Tech :)
For the Glory of Old State
I didn't read the post, just the title, but
I agree 100% that our lack of S&C shows against the big boys.
The big boys...
I want Penn State to be the big boys…. seems like we’ve been the big fish in the little pond and the small fish in the big pond…. i don’t like that…
For the Glory of Old State
Good observation, PSU Lion29.
I thought the same thing watching the game. As a Bama guy we were under achievers in that area about 3 years ago. We played Florida and were simply out muscled so the guys stepped up and started the “4th Quarter Program”. But it meant workouts and conditioning all through summer too. Everyone does it and it shows.
On another note, I think you guys are being a little hard on your D. You guys just played the second game of the year against the best offense that this school has ever put on a field. You guys played with heart and your fans were great. I believe you guys will surprise a few folks a little later in the year.
Kind Regards
D'Anton Lynn was willing to hit people
The rest of the defense, not so much. IMO, a very disappointing performance. The C- is kind. I like our corners, but I’m not very enthusiastic about anyone else on D at this point. And man, I miss safeties like Mark Robinson and Ray Isom.
I wish i could correct the grammatical mistakes i made when i was writing that :(
For the Glory of Old State
I've been ready for the Bradley era to be over for years
The BBDS defense will win you all of your games against inferior opponents, some of your games against equal opponents, and none of your games against superior opponents.
The era does not need to be over......
but he needs to change….with the “BigBoyz” you cannot afford to sit back and wait for them to attack you…WE must attack them. Otherwise it’s U$C Bowl 2nd quarter all the time before adjusting.
by DerryPharmer on Sep 13, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, let's can the guy who gets us a top 20 defense year in and year out.
No one is satisfied with the same sitting back in the cover 3 over and over again, but what you’re saying is just the usual “Fire so and so” sentiment we get after every loss.
"Now you put a Pamper on him and send him back out here." - Ray Isom, 1987 Fiesta Bowl
by ReadingRambler on Sep 13, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
TOTALLY AGREE...
im sick of this in big games…why cant we have schemes like say kirby smart? why dont you hear about PSU being able to confuse a QB or OL??? this plain vanilla stuff works against the crappy part of the big 10 but does not work (with exception 05 OSU) against the very good teams in and out of conference.
my problem with the BBDS defense
isn’t with that defense in general; I think it gives us the best chance, overall, to win. The problem I see is that we are VERY predictable with it. Run it 80-90% of the time, that’s fine, but mix in some more man and corner blitzes just to spice things up and keep them on their toes.
It seems when we face a capable, methodical offense, they know every play exactly where the defense is going to be, and they execute on that with their passes carving us up.
by The JuggerNitt on Sep 14, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
2 days later and I'm thinking
giving up 24 points is a score against which one can win. There were problems, but the D did what they needed to do.
It’s the 3 on the other side of the ball that did us in. The only way we were ever going to win this game was if we could explot the green-ness of their D and win a shootout.
For the record
I predicted Alabama would score 24 points. I also predicted PSU would score 14, and if they could have finished off some of those drives who knows.
Overall I’d say the game went the way I predicted on Friday. I figured Alabama would break it open early and PSU would settle down but never really get close again.
Me too
With a little bit agreement with jesse. as well. I watched Saban’s postgame presser, and it’s clear he wants to be more diverse on offense. Aside from the kind punt, I’d say his not running up the score was more a reflection of his trying different things than of deference to JoePa. I think it was pretty clear they could have done pretty much whatever they wanted if they had gone Richardson all day. It remains to our credit that we thwarted their diversity attempts, even if it feels like it was their ‘practice.’
I’ll be most curious, between now and next year’s game, to watch the improvement levels. Bama’s gonna get better. They are professionally coached and are looking every bit like a professionally talented team. With the gap between us exposed on Sat, we’ll have to go farther in our getting better to make it closer next year. Luckily, we’ll have quite a number of quality tests from our Big Ten brethren this year, to show us how far we’re coming.
Our defense can still grow to become excellent.
The discussion about next year
Is a very interesting one. We have a long way to go, but we should be able to get there. The key is we know we have an excellent QB who should progress a great deal by this time next season. We should be better on defense as well. Alabama will lose some of their passing attack incluidng the QB, but we have to assume they’re going to be every bit as good there.
That’s why I absolutely love this series, and I welcome a sobering loss this early for the sake of guaging our team and their progress. If only we could schedule them indefinitely in this slot, I think both fan bases would welcome it.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
My concern with "next year"
Pretty much everyone comes back on defense except Ogbu, Bani, and Colasanti, so no worries there.
On offense we’ll have Bolden, Redd, Moye, and Brown and plenty of other weapons to work with. But what about the offensive line? We have to replace Wiz, Klopacz, and Eliades. And we’ll be left with Barham and Troutman/Pannel which right now doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies.
I hope the coaches are pushing guys like Gress, Shrive, Howle, Graham, Ricketts, and Stankiewitch hard. They need to get playing time this year, because next year they are going to be the guys that will make or break the season.
I agree, re-next year
It would be one thing if we had three or four sophomores in this starting bunch, but these are all upperclassmen
speaking of predictions
Mike, are we doing a delusional thread for Kent State? The sky is the limit to how delusional I can get for this weekend.
Robert Bolden - "LePoise in Cleats"
Alabama easily could have scored 40
They dominated that much iMO. Perhaps that they didn’t is a credit to the D’s performance in some way but I think it has more to do with our style of D and a lack of finishing drives on account of penalties by ‘Bama. We’ll look better against less talented B10 opponents and they will improve over the season by Sukay and Astorino have been there long enough to play better.
It had more to do with the PSU offense actually holding onto the ball for 31 minutes.
I think the fact PSU moved the ball kept Alabama from taking too many chances.
Certainly meaning no disrespect here....
but how many times did Bama pass the ball in the second half? Out of respect to Penn State and Joe Pa’, Saban called of the dogs after the first half. They ran the ball practicaly the entire second half. The no back sets were a huge success early. Penn State is a classy program and we know we have to travel to Happy Valley next year, with a new starting QB.
Alabama threw 9 of their 24 passes in the third quarter.
They didn’t call off the dogs till the 4th and even then they only had the ball 6 minutes. After the onside kick, Alabama ran three plays, then called timeout to go for it on 4th and inches but got a substitution penalty that moved it to 4th and 6. They punted and both teams substituted after that. Alabama got the ball up 24-3 with 3:47 left. No they didn’t pass, but Alabama didn’t call off the dogs till then and never really substituted the starting defense out. Hightower made one of the last tackles of the game on Redd. Not sure what you are trying to say, but no Alabama wasn’t hanging 40 on PSU. They didn’t have the ball enough. You must have watched a different game.
its possible, though i dont think its likely
that Bama could have scored 40. I mean penn state easily could have scored 20 if they didnt turn it over in the red zone. the idea of what could have happened is futile. I am just very impressed with how Penn State was able to generate their offense between the 20s. I am very disappointed in the outcome once we got past the 20, but we moved the ball well and with relative ease (note i said relative ease, not that i think it was easy or that we trounced their D) between 20s. That gives me hope that if we can eliminate the mistakes and finish off drives, we are going to be just fine.
Robert Bolden - "LePoise in Cleats"
I think it is too early to write the D off
With two games there is no way to know if the team we just faced was the equivalent of 2001 Miami or not. Probably not, but you just can’t know.
by PSUflyfisherman on Sep 13, 2010 7:50 PM EDT reply actions
Thoughts
—I’m sad to see Hodges is hurt. Anybody know how long he’s out?
—The 2 things PSU needed to do their best at, 1. Limit Turnovers. 2. Tackle. they failed on both big time.
—Richardson looks like one of the strongest backs I’ve seen in some time, and the LB’s spent most of the night riding on his back.
—I thought Devon Smith looked good when he got in space.
—That catch by Moye along the sideline against double coverage was sick.
—The drop by Zug with nobody within 15yds of him was heartbreaking.
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