Some quick notes about yesterday's win:
- On the year, PSU has outscored opponents 28-0 in the first quarter.
- Mike Hull's fumble return for a TD was the first for a PSU player since NaVorro Bowman's return versus Illinois State in 2009. PSU scored 13 points off of the four turnovers they forced this week, improved off of the 3 scored off of four turnovers versus UVA.
- Allen Robinson now leads the Big Ten in receptions (24, 8.0 rpg) and receiving yards (107.3 ypg), and is 10th nationally in both categories. He is tied for first in the conference in touchdown grabs, with four.
- Matt McGloin's ninth career 200-yard passing game puts him in a three-way tie with Todd Blackledge and Wally Richardson at seventh all-time for PSU.
- Michael Mauti is third in the B1G for tackles (33 on the season, 12 versus Navy). He also registered his first sack of the season when the pressure he applied resulted in an intentional grounding call on Navy on fourth down.
There is sure to be more press, positive and negative, and much more editorializing in the coming week about this week's Nittany Lion victory over the Midshipmen, but, in the meantime, here are some quick hits around the web about this first win in the new era of Penn State football:
Tom Dienart's had a positive quick reaction to the victory:
The Nittany Lions are alive. I wasn’t sure how Penn State could continue to summon grit and effort after two gut-wrenching losses. But the players and staff showed today they will fight each week in getting Bill O’Brien’s first win in State College to end a four-game losing streak dating to last year.
The AP wire story, while mentioning the positives on the Penn State side, nontheless couldn't neglect to mention how poorly Navy played.
"It's uncharacteristic of us. We didn't play well. I didn't coach well," said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. "We've got to play mentally perfect to have a chance against a team like Penn State. We didn't come close, not even close."
ESPN's new Penn State blog, Nittany Nation (now, where have I heard that name before?), spoke to the players about how this game just felt special:
Once [Stephon Morris] boarded one of the blue buses at Toftrees, a place surrounded by green firs and blue skies, he knew. He turned toward his teammates, and something just seemed different. They were relaxed, focused and confident. This wasn't like the bus rides with Virginia and Ohio.
"That bus ride, it was just special," the cornerback said, smiling. "Coming off the bus, it was just like a whole new air, and you'd never thought we were an 0-2 team. It felt different."
According to ESPN's instant analysis, the game was over when
McGloin connected with Allen Robinson on a 45-yard touchdown strike in the first quarter. McGloin threw the pass about 20 yards, but Robinson faked a defender, cut inside and sprinted another 25 yards for the score. That put Penn State ahead 14-0 and set the tone with PSU's passing game. Navy never recovered.
Over at Victory Bell Rings, McGloin was named the offensive player of the game, and they awarded the entire front seven on defense the defensive honors for O'Brien's first victory.
Onward State had its own analysis, and was impressed by what the team brought to the table versus Navy:
The Nittany Lions put everything together in a dominant 34-7 victory over the Navy Midshipmen. They scored early. They scored often. They scored in unconventional ways including tipped passes and a seventy four yard fumble recovery by reserve linebacker Mike Hull. Following the victory and singing of the alma mater along with fans and the Blue Band, O’Brien and his players passed offf credit and the importance of the win to each other.
Lastly, Nittany Lion's Den summed up the feelings of many who celebrate this victory:
It's obvious there is a special bond between this coach and his players. Adversity can build that--and no team has been through more than this one.
Quick Hits: WR Allen Robinson earned a helmet sticker from ESPN...both the Philly and Pittsburgh sbnation blogs provided quick analysis...Some Penn State fans in Texas were excited about the victory, but will stick by this team no matter what...PennLive does its quick analysis...The official recap from gopsusports goes in depth on some of the key plays in the victory.
ICYMI on BSD: Devon's evening-of summation of the victory, and bscaff's morning-after take.
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