Black Shoe Diaries - All PostsDOMINATE THE STATEhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47529/blackshoediaries_fave.png2024-03-19T08:04:00-04:00http://www.blackshoediaries.com/rss/current/2024-03-19T08:04:00-04:002024-03-19T08:04:00-04:00Player I’m Most Excited For This Spring: TE Tyler Warren
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<img alt="Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl - Ole Miss v Penn State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ePdhtaxPeUKY1mUDuRE7kz2AXBU=/701x117:3135x1740/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73217368/1895375698.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Double Fours.</p> <p id="8Mp5vG"><em>Now that Penn State’s spring practice has begun, the BSD staff sat down and discussed some players we are most excited to hear about and eventually see in action this spring. Read our previous stories on </em><a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/11/24096582/player-im-most-excited-for-this-spring-wr-julian-fleming-penn-state-football-bsd"><em>Julian Fleming</em></a>, <a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/13/24097332/penn-state-nittany-lions-football-tony-rojas-linebacker-spring-2024">Tony Rojas</a>, and <a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/15/24101404/penn-state-nittany-lions-football-nick-singleton-spring-ball-andy-kotelnicki-running-backs-cfb">Nicholas Singleton</a>.</p>
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<p id="DIHFng">Coming out of Atlee High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia, Tyler Warren originally committed to <a href="https://www.gobblercountry.com/">Virginia Tech</a> before signing with the good guys in July of 2019. He was a quarterback in high school, but given his 6’5’’ frame, and potential to put on serious weight, Warren was recruited to Penn State to play tight end. He entered Penn State in the same recruiting class as NFL hopeful Theo Johnson.</p>
<p id="FtoOMm">After playing in just two games during COVID, the versatile Warren saw action in 13 games in 2021, scoring two touchdowns in the Wildcat, and catching a short touchdown pass against Michigan. 2022 saw his role continue to expand, as he started three games, setting up the game-winning touchdown in the season opener against Purdue, and grabbing a 38-yard touchdown against Minnesota. Despite a handful of clutch plays, Warren’s playing time was split among the aforementioned Johnson, and future NFL tight end Brenton Strange.</p>
<p id="t9bsOW">Last season, Warren showed his true potential, even while splitting time with Johnson. He earned Third-Team All-Big Ten from the coaches, and Honorable Mention from the media, starting 12 of 13 games and recording 422 yards along with seven receiving touchdowns (Johnson also had seven receiving touchdowns, and Khalil Dinkins had two, giving Penn State the most touchdowns by a tight end in 2023).</p>
<p id="QjIJOI">While I am certainly excited to see Warren on the field in the fall, it is his leadership off the field that I am looking forward to hearing about in the spring. Warren has the ability to help younger players like Dinkins, Jerry Cross, Andrew Rappleyea (a certain BSD writer’s favorite), and newcomer Luke Reynolds grow in the weight room and on the playing field. We already know James Franklin believes he is a lead-by-example kind of player. Warren strikes me as a team-first guy (and the tight ends have needed to be) and he is also focused on his post-football life, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors for the last three years. </p>
<p id="5bm0tI">Here’s to the unquestioned leader of the tight end room this spring.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/19/24098493/penn-state-football-most-excited-for-this-spring-te-tyler-warren-bsdLndoBSD2024-03-18T20:22:11-04:002024-03-18T20:22:11-04:00Penn State Basketball Players Favour Aire and Bragi Gudmundsson Enter Transfer Portal
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Penn State at Ohio State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mlZpGDFN9LnYt1057lMO5vNBE1E=/0x0:4950x3300/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216711/usa_today_22335856.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A pair of reserves have entered the portal. </p> <p id="sUA80n">With the college basketball transfer portal window officially opening today, it was expected that there would be a mass exodus of players from all across Division I. In some instances, players who have been lighting it up for smaller programs enter the portal to seek a shot on a bigger stage. In other instances, players who aren’t seeing much playing time at larger programs, seek a step or two down in level of competition, where they might fare better. With the news that both redshirt freshman forward Favour Aire and freshman guard Bragi Gudmundsson have entered the portal, it appears that such is the latter case. </p>
<p id="8OOGxS">Aire previously had transferred from Miami (FL) and spent the early part of the season coming back from a hand injury suffered during the pre-season. He did eventually see action in 12 games, providing a few minutes off the bench for Qudus Wahab to catch his breath, and averaged 0.6 points, one rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game. He saw the most action against Michigan State on Valentine’s Day, logging two points and four rebounds in 19 minutes of action. </p>
<p id="6OzCy5">Gudmundsson was a late, and also the only addition to the 2023 recruiting class, after Carey Booth, Logan Imes, and Braeden Shrewsberry all got out of their original letters of intent and followed Micah Shrewsberry to Notre Dame. Originally from Iceland, not much was expected from him this past season, but it was one of those situations where Mike Rhoades simply needed to fill out one last scholarship spot on the roster after tirelessly building most of his team from the portal. If Bragi panned out to be a guy who could spell a few minutes off the bench, then great. If not, then worst-case scenario he would likely portal out at the end of the season. Bragi ended up playing only 12 minutes this season, contributing six points and two rebounds in total. </p>
<p id="zu5X2n">As you all know from last offseason, the portal taketh away, but it also very much giveth. Expect to see more portal coverage here on BSD as Rhoades and staff identify targets and perhaps another current player or two explores their options. </p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/18/24105303/penn-state-basketball-favour-aire-bragi-gudmundsson-enter-transfer-portalTim Aydin2024-03-18T09:48:00-04:002024-03-18T09:48:00-04:00Penn State Spring Position Preview: Defensive End
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<img alt="Iowa v Penn State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rbKu0wZIcQLt7GYM8yvxyTZYct8=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215001/1703444325.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Things are looking promising despite losing two First-Team All-B1G performers.</p> <p id="HOJUdw"><em>Football is back! Well, sorta. As Penn State begins full preparation for the 2024 season during the spring session, we’ll be breaking down each position group as we count down towards the Blue-White Game. </em></p>
<p id="2WVH0H">Up first, a position group that loses two First-Team All-Big Ten performers, but gains a new star and brings back several players who seem ready to break through with a bigger role. </p>
<h2 id="Y0UQwR"><strong>DEFENSIVE END</strong></h2>
<h3 id="O4vaEG"><strong>The Starters </strong></h3>
<p id="40qWXK"><strong>Dani Dennis-Sutton (Jr.)</strong><br><br><strong>Abdul Carter (Jr.)</strong></p>
<p id="pEnQro">Dennis-Sutton would have been a full-time starter anywhere in the nation outside of Penn State in 2023. However, the former five-star prospect saw plenty of action, including two starts when Chop Robinson was sidelined with an injury in the middle of the season. He showed what he could do in one of those games, as he finished with six tackles against Indiana and the biggest play of his career thus far — a crucial strip-sack in the final moments that rolled out of the end zone for a safety to seal the game and avoid a near-upset. Dennis-Sutton should reasonably double his sack total of 3.5 from a year ago, as the defense will look to him to come up with big plays when needed, much like we saw from him against Indiana. </p>
<p id="yHRKqW">It’s safe to pencil in Carter as the starter opposite Dennis-Sutton. You just don’t move a star all-conference linebacker to have him spend extended time on the sidelines. Carter will need to adjust to the new techniques of the position change, but his abilities as a pass rusher are apparent. He has the speed, power and insticts to be a handful for even the best offensive linemen in the Big Ten. The main question will be how far into the season will it take for Carter to feel at home in his new position. If it’s by the end of Septmber, Carter could be a first-team All-Big Ten selection in consecutive seasons at two different poitions. </p>
<h3 id="lr7hZI"><strong>Key Reserves</strong></h3>
<p id="QdrULz"><strong>Amin Zanover (Sr.)</strong></p>
<p id="sBxZim"><strong>Zuriah Fisher (R-Sr.)</strong></p>
<p id="iyomhD"><strong>Jameial Lyons (So.)</strong></p>
<p id="2p3QRZ"><strong>Smith Vilbert (R-Sr.+)</strong></p>
<p id="eb64hb">You can count on Vanover and Fisher to be regulars on the field as part of the two-man rotation. Both have proven to be well-balanced players who can get to the quarterback as well as defending the run. Vanover especially brings more heat than his 1.5 sacks suggest, as that number should climb in 2024. Fisher had a solid bounce-back season after missing most of 2022 with an injury, and should develop into more of a playmaker with increased snaps this fall. </p>
<p id="viTIEH">Lyons was one of the more pleasant surprises of 2023 in term of development, turning heads with his explosiveness off the edge in practice that led to some playing time as a true freshman. At 6-5, 242 lbs., he has the size and physiciality to devlop into an elite defeisive end if he continues to progress in year two. Lyons is one of the more intriguing players on the team this spring, as another big offseason could see him propel up the depth chart. </p>
<p id="HzoRrC">Vilbert is the enigma of the group. He’s battled injuries and other issue that have kept him off the field. The sixth-year player has only played in one game since 2022 and has just one career start under his belt. That one start, however, was a three-sack performance against Arkansas in the Outback Bowl, setting a program record in the process. He could be the player who had just that one shining moment, or he could finally put everything together and see his dreams of making it to the NFL come true by this time next year. Only time will tell. </p>
<h3 id="hzCjbh"><strong>In The Mix </strong></h3>
<p id="0k41xn"><strong>Jordan Mayer (R-Fr.)</strong></p>
<p id="POBTL0"><strong>Mason Robinson (R-Fr.)</strong></p>
<p id="O2S5ey"><strong>Joseph Mupoyi (R-Fr.)</strong></p>
<p id="CA4pp4"><strong>Jaylen Harvey (Fr.)</strong></p>
<p id="MyBjfK">This group isn’t likely to see much action in 2024, but things could always change with injuries or anyone proves they are too good to keep off the field. Mayer joins via the transfer portal from Wisconsin, returning to his home state after just one season in Madison where he did not see playing time as a true freshman. Mupoyi has been busy bulking up since entering the program at just over 200 lbs. Robinson, a former Northwestern commit with a long offer sheet that included Georgia, enters his second season and seeks his first snaps. Harvey, who was high on <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a>’s wish list, will begin his career at defenive end, but could eventually move to defensive tackle as he enters the program already at 266 lbs. </p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/18/24103038/penn-state-nittany-lions-football-defensive-end-position-preview-2024-abdul-carterJared Slanina2024-03-18T08:13:00-04:002024-03-18T08:13:00-04:00MMQB - Which New B1G Team’s Stadium Would You Most Like to Visit?
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<img alt="Washington State v Washington" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rcq3xpSCrKGItVKoNToj1zziLRw=/0x0:5339x3559/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214803/1817074099.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Add a few more destinations to your bucket list</p> <p id="lqaAIW">This fall, four new teams will be joining the Big Ten: the UCLA Bruins, the USC Trojans, the <a href="https://www.addictedtoquack.com">Oregon Ducks</a>, and the <a href="https://www.uwdawgpound.com">Washington Huskies</a>. While these new teams will take time to assimilate into the Big Ten - and honestly, they may never fully accomplish this, after all there are many that still view Penn State as an outsider despite being contiguous, let alone on the other side of the country - they are immediately being added to everyone’s schedules. </p>
<p id="GSqcez">Just this fall, Penn State will travel to play at USC, and will eventually visit all of the new teams.</p>
<p id="H71E7U">With that in mind, MMQB asks - <strong>which new B1G team’s stadium would you most like to visit?</strong></p>
<p id="VtYckU">For many of you, there’s been a long-standing lifelong goal of visiting every B1G stadium, so this just adds four more locations. For others, who can only make it to a game here or there, this may require a bit more consideration. Pageantry, traditions, quality of the team, location all play a part in this sort of decision. </p>
<p id="TwwcDm">While the Coliseum (USC) has a ton of tradition, and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/rose-bowl">Rose Bowl</a> (UCLA) has, well, the Rose Bowl, I’ve heard that neither are really located in the best areas. Autzen Stadium (Oregon) has a quality team and a passionate fan base, but travel to get there can be a bit arduous (says the Penn State fan, unironically).</p>
<p id="qEDL6Z">For me, I’d most like to visit Husky Stadium (Washington). Coming off a national championship game appearance, the team is (or at least very recently has been) good. Located right in Seattle, travel is a breeze (Seattle traffic notwithstanding). And situated right on Union Bay, next to Lake Washington, with the Cascade Mountains in the distance, the surrounding area is beautiful. </p>
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<p id="rRFYcy">So yeah, if I had to pick just one new location to visit, it’d be Husky Stadium. But what about you? Where would you most like to visit?</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/18/24104660/mmqb-which-new-b1g-teams-stadium-would-you-most-like-to-visit-bsd-penn-state-nittany-lions-footballChris Lucia2024-03-18T07:11:00-04:002024-03-18T07:11:00-04:005 Questions for Penn State Football Heading Into Spring
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<img alt="Indiana v Penn State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aENRjJQloNY_5PJtbTq1GX2C8LY=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214689/1767865939.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Looking into the questions that will need answered by fall. </p> <p id="5ilGaH"><strong>Will the wide receiver room be improved in 2024?</strong></p>
<p id="MpB0AN">They<em> should</em>, be I won’t hold it against you if you have little faith after seeing no progress (and arguably regression) throughout the 2023 from this group. </p>
<p id="dCugLV">KeAndre Lambert-Smith is back and has proven he can put together big games. But he was asked to do too much in 2023, and defenses were able to focus too much on him, leading to a noticeable decline in production towards the end of the season. Julian Flemming is in blue and white after four years in Columbus. He brings with him a reputation for his strong work ethic and leadership abilities. While he never broke out as a downfield threat, he is sure-handed and knows how to get open — something that should come in handy with Drew Allar’s skill set. Tre Wallace has shown he can be a valuable asset, but has had trouble staying on the field. </p>
<p id="OPI56C">There are also players with talent who need to find consistency, like Omari Evans and Kaden Saunders. </p>
<p id="Fx976Z">There are reasons for optimism, but too many “ifs” to answer as anything but a big, fat maybe. </p>
<p id="LkGMus"><strong>Can the defense continue to play at an elite level post-Manny Diaz?</strong></p>
<p id="MI29DI">Maybe that’s an unreasonable expectation considering just how great the defense was under Diaz the last two seasons. They regularly shut down an offense and remove any hope of them moving the ball that I would stare at the box score in disbelief after nearly every performance. However, the standard has been set and new defensive coordinator Tom Allen will not be shy about his desire to maintain one of the nation’s top defenses moving forward. </p>
<p id="LD6m7w">The big question mark will be at cornerback, as Penn State must replace its top three players from a year ago. They are also losing two hugely talented defensive ends who should be standouts in the NFL before too long. But there is plenty of talent returning, especially at safety, linebacker and defensive tackle with some key players waiting in the wings. They may not match the standard from a year ago, but expectations for the defense should be very high once again. </p>
<p id="D5YaC0"><strong>Can Drew Allar take a leap in 2024?</strong></p>
<p id="wH4h1R">There are so many ways to look at Allar’s first year as QB1. Throwing 25 touchdowns to just two inteceptions suggests he’s one of the nation’s elite quarterbacks. His average of 202 passing yards and lack of downfield plays suggest otherwise. </p>
<p id="rEAvWb">There’s no doubt that new offensive coordinator’s Andy Kotelnicki’s most important job will be getting Allar more comfortable with the offense. Part of this will hinge on improved play by the receivers. All too often, and especially against the best teams on the schedule, Allar’s options were limited to forcing something into coverage or just throwing the ball away. </p>
<p id="G0iy5U">He has the tools to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten this year and a very high draft pick, and has proven to do many things well. Now he will need to take that big step of creating more big plays with his arm and playing at a high level against the top defenses on the schedule. </p>
<p id="VXkDdy"><strong>What should we expect from Abdul Carter at defensive end?</strong></p>
<p id="mru6Ym">We got to know Carter as the freakishly athletic, hard-hitting playmaker at outside linebacker the last two seasons. Now he’ll be a full-time edge rusher in his third, and potentially last, season in Happy Valley. Carter should be starting opposite Dani Dennis-Sutton to create perhaps the Big Ten’s most dangerous tandem at defensive end. </p>
<p id="XjggFE">While Carter will be missed at linebacker, I’ll trust the coaches that he is capable of making the switch to become a difference-maker on the edge, as well as players like Keon Wylie and Kaveion Keys ready to play at a high level at linebacker to allow Carter to make the switch. </p>
<p id="XquBIW"><strong>Who will be the most difficult player to replace?</strong> </p>
<p id="C2WZGn">Let’s go with one on offense and defense. </p>
<p id="lTTa07">Olu Fashanu was everything you could want in a left tackle, and did not allow a single sack in his entire Penn State career. That’s wildly impressive when you consider how many current and future NFL players he faced against. While there is healthy competition between a number of capable tackles who will be taking his place, replacing that type of guarenteed protection will be far from simple. </p>
<p id="T0d9lf">I nearly went with Chop Robinson on defense as teams were forced to game-plan against him, but the defensive end room should still be a fearsome unit despite losing two standouts from a year ago. I’ll go with cornerback Johnny Dixon for the same reason I went with Fashanu — you didn’t have to worry about much with him on the field. He was a shut down corner with remarkable coverage and ball-tracking skills. Quarterbacks couldn’t get a good look at his man, and if they tried throwing his way there was a strong chance Dixon would be the one to get the ball in his hands. He was also an extremely physical presence who excelled against the run and was extremely effective in blitz packages, finishing with 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons. </p>
<p id="HwHeVL">Penn State has potential at the cornerback spot as they attempt to replace their top three players from 2023. That potential will need to quickly produce for the defense to remain at such a high level this fall. </p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/18/24091365/penn-state-nittany-lions-football-5-questions-spring-practice-2024-abdul-carter-drew-allarJared Slanina2024-03-15T11:20:24-04:002024-03-15T11:20:24-04:00Winter/Spring Sports Update: Lacrosse Wins Big
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<figcaption>Penn State Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>Lacrosse earns second Top 10 win, women’s hockey falls in NCAA Tournament </p> <p id="cB37nS"><strong>Men’s Lacrosse</strong></p>
<p id="oC9dme">The lacrosse team earned its fourth straight win, downing No. 8 Cornell 20-9 last Saturday. <a href="https://gopsusports.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/roster/matt-traynor/13869">Matt Traynor</a> scored seven goals on his way to <a href="https://gopsusports.com/news/2024/3/12/mens-lacrosse-earns-three-big-ten-weekly-award-honors.aspx">Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week</a> honors. Teammates <a href="https://gopsusports.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/roster/sam-sweeney/13867">Sam Sweeney</a> (Defensive Player of the Week) and <a href="https://gopsusports.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/roster/jack-fracyon/13848">Jack Fracyon</a> (Specialist of the Week) also won Big Ten weekly awards for their efforts against the Big Red.</p>
<p id="8ZVOtN"><em>Upcoming Game: </em>Saturday vs. Marquette (2pm)</p>
<p id="jDMQPT"><strong>Women’s Hockey</strong></p>
<p id="t2p0FG">The women’s hockey team fell 1-0 to St. Lawrence in the first round of the NCAA tournament last night. Goaltender <a href="https://gopsusports.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey/roster/katie-desa/14364">Katie DeSa</a> did all she could, recording a career-high 43 saves, but the Nittany Lions could not find the back of the net. Despite the loss, it was another great season for Jeff Kampersal’s squad.</p>
<p id="eVpMzt"><strong>Men’s Volleyball</strong></p>
<p id="W72tsH">The men’s volleyball team dropped a five-set heartbreaker to UCLA at Rec Hall following its California road trip. <a href="https://gopsusports.com/sports/mens-volleyball/roster/john-kerr/13937">John Kerr</a> had 19 kills and two of Penn State’s nine aces to lead the way for the Nittany Lions, but the team fell short in the final set. After a long week off, Penn State returns to the court this weekend for a home and home with St. Francis. </p>
<p id="76N3wj"><em>Upcoming Games: </em>Saturday at St. Francis (5pm), Sunday vs. St. Francis (3pm)</p>
<p id="LyQU51"><strong>Women’s Basketball</strong></p>
<p id="YNi3hm">The Lady Lions will await their bubble fate on Sunday following last Friday’s blowout loss to Iowa in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> quarterfinals. <a href="https://gopsusports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/leilani-kapinus/12837">Leilani Kapinus</a> led Penn State with 19 points, and the defense mostly held Caitlin Clark in check, but Iowa outmatched Penn State on the glass and made 19 more free throws. </p>
<p id="TImQwG">Penn State will find out whether or not it will be in the NCAA Tournament when the Selection Show airs Sunday at 7pm. Most projections, most notably <a href="https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/30423107/ncaa-women-bracketology-2024-women-college-basketball-projections">ESPN</a>, have the Nittany Lions as one of the first teams out, but no one will know for sure until the bracket is revealed.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/15/24101857/penn-state-nittany-lions-mens-womens-basketball-hockey-lacrosse-volleyballColin_Murphy2024-03-15T08:10:00-04:002024-03-15T08:10:00-04:00Player I’m Most Excited For This Spring: RB Nick Singleton
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<img alt="109th Rose Bowl" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rRnfLx9d7lf0vJpLhJm0zLHu7X0=/0x0:2907x1938/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73209057/1245952634.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Run the damn ball, Andy.</p> <p id="RmeJUi">Running backs are back.</p>
<p id="l2p4ik">After much discussion in 2023 about a running back’s place in the world, the 2024 NFL offseason has proven that they, indeed, hold a lot of value. Running back vibes are at an all-time high.</p>
<p id="CdtqFC">In college football, an elite running back can change a game much faster than in the NFL. Fresher legs, wackier schemes, and less all-around talent can make one individually talented player carry an entire offense or defense. I think Nick Singleton can be that guy for Penn State in 2024.</p>
<p id="cN74qX">I remember exactly when I knew Singleton was special. In the Beaver Stadium press box on September 10, 2022, I watched him evade a backfield tackle and outrun Ohio University’s entire defense for a 44-yard touchdown. Not since Lamont Wade’s 100-yard kick-return touchdown against Illinois in 2020 (I’m kinda joking, but also not really) have I seen such turn-on-the-jets speed in person.</p>
<p id="DsZMjI">A sophomore slump from Singleton should not let you convince yourself that your eyes are lying to you. He’s explosive, he’s quick, and he’s due for a bounce-back season.</p>
<p id="JLfVnp">It’s no secret that the Nittany Lions’ offense was bad last year. A lack of a true vertical threat and lackluster play-action stifled the exciting run defense we saw in 2022. Singleton and his backfield counterpart, Kaytron Allen, failed to use terrific true freshman campaigns as springboards for noteworthy follow-up years. Neither of them had bad seasons, but it felt like the post-Rose Bowl hype died out.</p>
<p id="7wrXcN">Now that Andy Kotelnicki has the offensive reigns, I’m tantalized by how the offense could look next year. He has more weapons to work with than Mike Yurcich did and much fresher ideas than Penn State’s ex-OC.</p>
<p id="9l2nRj">Imagine this, but with Nick Singleton:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">a little Kansas offense mouthwash for your TL <a href="https://t.co/np6xtD86hx">pic.twitter.com/np6xtD86hx</a></p>— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nate_Tice/status/1767596306015686818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a>
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<p id="KqzaTb">It’s easy to be excited again about a player we all were excited about before. It feels like Singleton is being overlooked after a lackadaisical sophomore season, and I’m ready for a resurgence.</p>
<p id="iRfXBZ">With an upgraded wide receiver room, defenses will have no choice but to cheat off the line and favor the passing attack. This was a luxury they got very used to while watching Penn State’s film last year, and the ground game suffered. With a (theoretically) more balanced offense, Singleton will have more room to shine.</p>
<p id="RXMWLU">Next year’s schedule screams “Run the freaking football,” too. With former Pac-12 teams like USC and Washington on the schedule, the opportunities for ground-and-pound and explosive run plays grow. Just look at the previous two Rose Bowls that Penn State played in.</p>
<p id="jUZFyl">I don’t think the West Virginia game will even be over before we welcome back the Nick Singleton we all once knew and loved.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/15/24101404/penn-state-nittany-lions-football-nick-singleton-spring-ball-andy-kotelnicki-running-backs-cfbryanparsons2024-03-14T23:56:54-04:002024-03-14T23:56:54-04:00Indiana 61, Penn State 59: Leal Sinks Lions
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Second Round-Penn State vs Indiana" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cdt3sQ3PQJvWcA-rkIe8JaL0itk=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73208589/usa_today_22778583.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State shot a miserable 27% from the floor</p> <p id="4WaFhs">Penn State’s 2023-24 season came to a close with a 61-59 loss to Indiana in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> second round. A late offensive rebound and putback by the Hoosiers’ Anthony Leal was the final dagger. Penn State was looking to be the first team to make the Big Ten quarterfinal three straight years as a double-digit seed but came up short.</p>
<p id="2KNDON">The Lions hung around all night despite being completely outmatched in the paint and fielding the worst shooting performance of the season. Indiana started off with a quick 10-2 lead, immediately establishing its dominance in the paint. </p>
<p id="tdVn8q">Penn State woke up a little bit with threes from D’Marco Dunn and Nick Kern to tie the game at 10, but it was one step forward, two steps back for the offense for most of the first half. The Lions made 10 free throws in the half and recorded 8 offensive rebounds to keep pace. Despite a clunker of a half from the offense, Penn State only trailed by 5 at halftime.</p>
<p id="y6L7Ek">The Lions appeared to take charge of the game early in the second half, opening with a 13-2 run capped by Zach Hicks’ second 4-point play of the night. But as quickly as Penn State seized the momentum, Indiana seemed to take it away just as fast, responding with a 7-0 run to take a 43-42 lead. </p>
<p id="WbqaAX">Some Big Ten refball took center stage in the last 10 minutes, with the teams combining for two field goals over a 7:37 stretch until Kel’El Ware’s dunk put the Hoosiers ahead 59-57 with 1:45 to play. Ace Baldwin answered with a basket of his own to tie the game at 59, and Penn State came up with two defensive stands in the final minute to give the offense a chance to win the game. Baldwin missed two shots before Leal’s game-winning putback. Puff Johnson had a good look for a game-winning three in the final seconds, but it clanked off the rim.</p>
<h2 id="1QWjFz"><strong>Players of the Game</strong></h2>
<p id="lXW7T4"><strong>Puff Johnson- </strong>16 points, 7-7 free throws, 8 rebounds, 2 steals</p>
<p id="2qSfWb">In a game where pretty much everyone was stuck in the mud offensively, Puff made several key plays despite being plagued with foul trouble in the second half and made all 7 of his free throws. He led the team in free throws made, steals, field goals made, and defensive rebounds in the game.</p>
<h2 id="tm7GvC"><strong>What’s Next</strong></h2>
<p id="UrsqwB">Penn State’s season has come to an end. While there will not be as much turnover as last season, Qudus Wahab and Leo O’Boyle are both out of eligibility. Ace Baldwin and Puff Johnson both have one more year of eligibility if they wish to use it.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2024/3/14/24101382/penn-state-nittany-lions-mens-basketball-indiana-hoosiers-big-ten-tournamentColin_Murphy