Five Things BSD Will Be Watching at the BW Game

by BSD on Apr 17, 2008 9:34 PM EDT in Football

Here are the top five things BSD will be keeping an eye on this weekend.

1. The Spread HD - What the hell is it? Will we see a wide open spread option running attack mixed with a downfield passing game? Or will it be more of the same old run between the tackles and throw safe seven yard outs.

2. Clark vs. Devlin - Who gets the most snaps? Who works with the first team? Who looks crisper in the passing game? Who runs the option better?

3. Stephfon Green - We all know what Evan Royster is capable of. I'm dying to see what Green can do. If he takes a pitch and turns the corner for a sixty yard touchdown run you can pretty much guarantee we'll have a full blown running back controversy come September.

4. Linebacker U - Who will line up at first team linebacker? Will it be Sales, Colasanti, and Gbadyu? Or will Hull or Stupar work their way in there?

5. Derek Moye - He's wearing #6 in case you didn't know. And he's probably going to be our best receiver in 2009 after Williams, Butler, and Norwood are gone. So I hope he looks like a credible threat tomorrow.

What are you looking for?

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Comments

spread HD

The 'spread HD' is simply having two runningbacks in the backfield... one of the runningbacks takes the place of the fullback. In this case, we'll see Royster and Green both in the backfield at the sametime. THAT's the 'spread HD'.

by OwenMeany on Apr 18, 2008 8:20 AM EDT reply actions

B/W

I'm not letting myself get fooled by the Blue White again like I did two years ago when Morelli looked incredible.

But, in general I'd like to see how Devlin and Clark look throwing the ball. I'm also interested in seeing what all this Stephon Green hype is about. Agree on Moye too.

Get up State.

by speedomike02 on Apr 18, 2008 8:47 AM EDT reply actions

Stephon Green...

I don't think there will be a controversy, at least there shouldn't be. Look at Arkansas, Auburn, and I am sure there are other examples of two backs splitting time in recent college football for an example of how a coaching staff can get this to work. As long as the staff doesn't take the lazy way out and prepare a gameplan that really doesn't use the skills of both, there will be ample PT for both.

by carolinaeasy on Apr 18, 2008 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

Nice weather

and good drink special.

Also, I hope that there a good turn out for the baseball game Saturday. Last time I checked there were still some good seats left.

For the Glory National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994,

by jesse. on Apr 18, 2008 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

B/W

I disagree with the comment about Morelli looking incredible. I thought he looked good, until they got inside the red zone. My recollection is that the team Morelli was quarterbacking (blue?) got stuffed at the 1 yard line at least twice.

I thought it was interesting that year long problems showed up in the Blue-White game. That is, the OLine sucked and Morelli could not get it done in the clutch. Occasionally, there are some things that show up.

Second, there are plenty of carries for the RB's. Royster has not showed a lot durability and 20-25 carries a game are plenty. Green could get 10-15 per game if the OLine is as good as it should be. Can you imagine Royster getting 35-40 carries? Me neither.

So, I do not believe there needs to be an RB controversy.

by kjac100 on Apr 18, 2008 9:18 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe not incredible

Yeah, probably too strong of a word. But he looked really good and I had my hopes way too high. Even the red zone thing I figured could be worked out.

Get up State.

by speedomike02 on Apr 18, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

O Line?

I thought the O line did a good job last year. Royster did not gain all of those yards on his own. And Morelli held the ball too long.

by CDRS on Apr 20, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Moye........

and who else in 09 ? Not looking too far ahead, just being negative negative negative to point out that once again we might be in a situation where we have a good QB (Devlin) and no receivers......but I guess that is the way we play football in PA. See the Steelers and the Eagles minus Ward and TO. Both teams have very good QB's and neither has a stable of above average receivers.

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Apr 18, 2008 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

Just sayin.

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Apr 18, 2008 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Nobody in Atlanta

should have anything to say about the Steelers. Just sayin. :)

For the Glory National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994,

by jesse. on Apr 18, 2008 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

'09 Wideouts

Hopefully the Price kid can get it done next year. And hopefully we can land a nice WR recruiting class that can make an impact like in '05 even though only one of them was recruited really.

Too many hopefully's in that post for my liking though.

Angelo

by nittanyroar on Apr 18, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey........

I'm from Erie pal :) I've been on the season ticket list since 97 waiting for seats :) Looks like I'll never get them so if you know anyone selling their seat license let me know :)

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Apr 18, 2008 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

what about DWill?

I want to see what they are going to do to get the ball in DWill's hands.

End arounds? Option plays? How about this concept...let him throw the ball. He was a quarterback in high school...I'm pretty sure he knows how to throw, especially to a wide open receiver. And if they're not open, he can always run with it.

Also want to see Brett Brackett. We have all these great athletic receivers, but they are all under 6 foot basically. It'll be nice to have such a huge target at wide out.

by Stately NOVA Lion @ Black Shoe Diaries on Apr 18, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

DWill to throw

I was saying that last year when they ran the end around with him. They actually did try it once later in the season but it didn't work out, can't remember why though. I still would like to see them try it again though.

Angelo

by nittanyroar on Apr 18, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

DWill throwing

I think you're talking about the Michigan State game. Butler was wide open but Williams missed him. The other time I remember DWill throwing was @ ND two years ago and he got blasted.

Get up State.

by speedomike02 on Apr 18, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, MSU was the game

I remember now, they set that play up nicely.

When he got lit up at ND though that play was shit. They had him run to the short side (the left in this case) of the field and throw across his body. He had to stop turn and set his feet, that's why he got blasted. I don't think it was an end around either. Either way just a bad play call.

Angelo

by nittanyroar on Apr 18, 2008 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Stately NOVA Lion

Looks like you got your wish...a punch of Brackett and a pinch of DWill throwing. Hopefully they can execute like that when it counts.

Angelo

by nittanyroar on Apr 19, 2008 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Mauti

Looking to see what he looks like at safety. Hoping it's just to get him on the field and not a move that is set in stone.

by phil18989 on Apr 18, 2008 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

Mauti

I totally agree with you. I want to see what he brings a safety. I obviously like Moye. But what I found really interesting is the 2nd string LBs are Colesanti, Dailey, and Stupar. All freshmen. We'll see how they do though

by WPIALkid22 on Apr 18, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Beachum

I've heard some reports that Beachum is not only a brusier, but has surprised a few people with his speed. It would be nice to have that insurance in the event that Royster's durability comes into question.

Also, I want to see TD back at corner.

by Spats on Apr 18, 2008 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Durability

I would take the games he came out of with a grain of salt. I'm pretty sure the coaching staff was trying to protect him last year because he's the future, and Kinlaw was playing awesome. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt unless he can't stay in the game this year.

JoePa is my hero.

by psuphiman80 on Apr 18, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Linebackers

Everyone wants to see the Spread HD, but I'm more anxious to see Colasanti and Hull. These guys both will need to step it up and fill in some big shoes.

by Bstoner52 on Apr 18, 2008 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

Update

Hey Mike,

I just heard that SB is updating it's blogs...I am assuming that means this site as well...do we get to have those nifty avatars by our names now...that would be sweet (dibs on Peter Griffen from family guy)

by Lion Alum on Apr 18, 2008 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

I would like to see....

anything positive. The offseason has brought nothing but negativity so something good would be nice for a change :) I don't even care what it is, Moye catching a nice endzone fade, Hull making some solid tackles, Green breaking a long run, anything. Actually, I do want to see the HD offense utilize the MIDDLE of the field!!!

by Screen Name 20 on Apr 18, 2008 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

haha

Good luck...we haven't used the middle of the field since...ummmmmmmmmmm....have we ever? Why do we even recruit and use TE's, we should just put another tackle out there to block for the third and four fullback dive that seems to take up a third of the playbook.

by PSUfanSTUCKinSECland on Apr 18, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Moye out

Hate to say it, put I don't think you'll see #6 on the field tomorrow. He hurt his hamstring

by WPIALkid22 on Apr 18, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

Great foreshadowing...

3. Stephfon Green - We all know what Evan Royster is capable of. I'm dying to see what Green can do. If he takes a pitch and turns the corner for a sixty yard touchdown run you can pretty much guarantee we'll have a full blown running back controversy come September.

...how does 57 yards sound?

Overall, I thought the team looked very good. QB is no longer a concern of mine. Either Clark or Devlin, we will be fine.

I think PSU is alot deeper than all of us are giving them credit. The D-line and LB's are extremely deep, RB is deep, QB is good for the next couple years.

Pat Devlin in '08

by Nick7 on Apr 19, 2008 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

Great players

I think Maybin had the best day as far as defense. He was in on 3 "sacks" today. Astorino had a good game too; he was burnt on one play in the student section end zone, but aside from that, he was in on a lot of plays giving up short yardage. Szcerba had a surprisingly good day too, it was funny though cause I think he ran the same 7 yard out route the whole game.

by WPIALkid22 on Apr 19, 2008 6:52 PM EDT reply actions