Black Shoe Diaries - Penn State (5-4) vs Temple (5-4)DOMINATE THE STATEhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47529/blackshoediaries_fave.png2014-11-17T06:00:03-05:00http://www.blackshoediaries.com/rss/stream/69669082014-11-17T06:00:03-05:002014-11-17T06:00:03-05:00BSD MVP: True Freshmen
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<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Black Shoe Diaries chooses its MVP from the Temple game.</p> <p>Penn State's heralded defense played three true freshmen in the backfield on Saturday: safety <span>Marcus Allen</span>, field cornerback Christian Campbell, and nickle corner <span>Grant Haley</span>. Other than one 75-yard bomb that got behind junior <span>Jordan Lucas</span>, the defensive backfield allowed 16 completions on 37 attempts for 112 yards, 0 TDs, and 4 interceptions. Campbell and Haley each had one of the four picks. Haley took his back for six points (and averaged 24 yards on 3 kickoff returns, too, nearly breaking one).</p>
<p>That's pretty good. And everybody could see it coming. Each of the three stood out on special teams coverage units before starring in the secondary. Specifically, <span>Marcus Allen</span> was a human missile on kickoff, while Campbell and Haley, on punt coverage, held Ohio State's Jalin Marshall (4 for -4 yards), Maryland's William Likely (5 for 8 yards), Indiana's Shane Wynn and J-Shun Harris (3 for -15 yards), and Temple's John Christopher (1 for 3 yards) to 13 returns for...wait for it...minus six yards total. Marshall, Likely, Wynn, and Harris are among the nation's top returners, by the way. James Franklin, by his own admission, began asking his punters "to just kick it as far as you can", instead of looking for a coffin corner, at halftime of the Ohio State game. I thought he was nuts. It turns out the confidence he showed in gunners Campbell and Haley was well placed.</p>
<p>Lest we forget, we have true freshmen playing offense as well. <span>Chris Godwin</span> led Penn State in receiving Saturday, with 31 yards, and owned the only explosive pass play (21 yards). <span>Mike Gesicki</span> went without a reception. But he caused a timeout. In Penn State's opening drive, facing 2nd and Goal, John Donovan split the 6'6" vertical leaping machine out wide, singled up against a height-challenged cornerback. Temple called timeout just before <span>Christian Hackenberg</span> lofted a fade to the back corner.</p>
<h3>Runner Up</h3>
<p>Honorable mention goes to sophomore guard <span>Brian Gaia</span>. Gaia had his best game as a Nittany Lion. He also had his nose pushed over by his right ear in the second quarter. Gaia missed a couple of snaps while the medical staff taped it back into the center of his face. Then he went back on the field, pulled around the edge, and led the way for <span>Akeel Lynch</span> and <span>Bill Belton</span> to carry 37 times for 222 yards and 2 TDs. What else can you say? Gaia's (now) an offensive lineman.</p>
<h3>Quick Hitters</h3>
<p><span>Austin Johnson</span> is murdering people in the trenches.</p>
<p><span>Nyeem Wartman</span> is awesome.</p>
<p>When our tight ends block, like they did on Saturday and against UMass, Penn State runs for over 200 yards.</p>
<p>Akeel Lynch got a lane to the second level, and then made guys miss and broke tackles. That, as Joe Paterno told us 1,000 times, is the difference between a back, and a good back. You're now officially "good", Akeel.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/17/7231031/penn-state-football-mvp-temple-true-freshmen-haley-campbell-allen-godwin-gesickibscaff2014-11-16T12:57:02-05:002014-11-16T12:57:02-05:00Hey, Wha Happen? Penn State 30, Temple 13
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<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State is going bowling for the first time since 2011, and Temple still doesn't have a win against PSU since 1941</p> <p>Penn State is going to a bowl game. I cannot tell you how great it feels to type those eight words. There are plenty of players that were on the roster in 2011 that made the trip to Dallas. But in an honest moment, I am sure they will admit they did not really want to be there. For reasons we all know too well, that team deserved better than ringing in the new year on ESPNU in North Dallas. For guys like <span>Sam Ficken</span>, <span>Mike Hull</span>, and <span>Miles Dieffenbach</span>, they now have the chance to close out their Penn State careers with a holiday trip under much more enjoyable circumstances.</p>
<p>The story of the game was again Bob Shoop's swarming defense, although the cast of characters changed somewhat. Sure, Hull was all over the field (10 tackles), <span>Anthony Zettel</span> (sack) and <span>Austin Johnson</span> (fumble recovery) wreaked havoc on the interior line, but the story was Terry Smith's secondary, and two true freshman cornerbacks. <span>Trevor Williams</span> sat out the game with an undisclosed injury, so <span>Grant Haley</span> and Christian Campbell saw their first significant playing time on defense--and they did not disappoint. Both picked off <span>P.J. Walker</span> passes, with Haley returning his for PSU's second defensive score of the season. Campbell also intercepted Walker, in addition to recording 3 tackles and a pass break up. Senior safety <span>Adrian Amos</span> had an interception, setting up a short field and touchdown late in the 3rd quarter, and fellow senior <span>Jesse Della Valle</span> had a highlight reel pick to cap the day.</p>
<p>For the first time, really all season, the Lions offense was able to not only commit to the run, but eat up chunks of yardage on the ground. <span>Akeel Lynch</span> carried 18 times for 135 yards and a 38 yard touchdown, with <span>Bill Belton</span> contributing 96 more yards on 19 carries and a score. <span>Christian Hackenberg</span> again struggled, despite finding more time to throw than he's had all year. Some credit goes to the Owls secondary, but there were plenty of opportunities for plays to be made that were not.</p>
<h3>Three Completely Unrelated, Probably Useless Thoughts</h3>
<p>1. Sure it was Temple, but an offensive line with <span>Donovan Smith</span> and Miles Dieffenbach on the left side sure is a sight for sore Nittany Lion eyes. There remains plenty to improve upon, but the return of the two anchors of PSU's offensive line has finally put all the parts back into their more appropriate slots. 47 carries for 273 yards is proof enough. Let's just wrap Donovan and Dieff in bubble wrap the rest of the way.</p>
<p>2. I am pretty sure we have run out of adjectives to describe just how good Bob Shoop's defense has been this year. If you want to get technical, they have given up just 7 points in the last 8 quarters of football. What is even more enjoyable is how they're doing it by attacking. They forced turnovers out of the Temple offense yesterday by pressuring the quarterback, and drawing false starts at the slightest hint of a blitz. And with more athletic players in the recruiting pipeline, that will not change anytime soon.</p>
<p>3. Yes, it was Temple, and yes the defense set up some short fields, but it was nice to finally seem some efficiency out of the offense. I am guilty of forgetting this, but PSU had a touchdown on a very nice opening drive wiped out by a holding call. They were able to put the ball in the end zone off of the Amos pick. The steps have been small, but in my never ending quest to find positives, there have been a few on the offensive side of the ball.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/16/7229105/penn-state-temple-football-recap-lynch-belton-haley-hackenbergMatt de Bear2014-11-15T20:10:22-05:002014-11-15T20:10:22-05:00BSD Postgame Show: Temple
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<p>AKA The Jordan Lucas Variety Poop-Fart Hour</p> <p>You guys like Detroit? Dallas? New York City? Well, you're all in luck because Penn State will be taking a Christmas trip to one of these (or other TBD) exotic locations for a bowl this year after <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/15/7226259/f-it-dude-lets-go-bowling-penn-state-30-temple-13-christian-hackenberg-bob-shoop" target="_blank">defeating Temple 30-13</a> this afternoon. Tonight, we talk about the win, the bowl and other odds and ends.</p>
<p>We'll start around 8:30 pm. Listen/watch in the video above, and if you really want, feel free to send us questions on Twitter (to the <a href="https://twitter.com/BSDtweet" target="_blank">@BSDtweet</a> account with the hashtag #poopfart). You can even comment and ask questions. We'd love to hear from you.</p>
<p>Of course, if you don't know where the name comes from, thank <span>Jordan Lucas</span>:</p>
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<p>Asked Lucas how he decided to attack Pohl or stay in coverage: "I didn't want to hesitate. I didn't want to be between the fart & the poop."</p>
— <span>Travis Johnson</span> (@bytravisjohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/bytravisjohnson/status/508362888529317888">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>We'll see you guys soon.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/15/7227253/penn-state-temple-postgame-analysis-hackenberg-pinstripe-dallas-bowlDan VecellioBill DiFilippoNick Polak2014-11-15T15:30:32-05:002014-11-15T15:30:32-05:00F*** IT, DUDE, LET'S GO BOWLING: PSU 30, Temple 13
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<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>For the first time since 2011, Penn State football will be playing in a bowl game. Let's celebrate.</p> <p>Early on, it was troubling. By halftime, it was apparent. And by the middle of the third quarter, we'd all become resigned to the fact that if Penn State was going to win this game and become bowl-eligibile, they'd have to do it in spite of <span>Christian Hackenberg</span>. It was only Hackenberg's struggles that kept this one close, early, that prevented a Nittany Lion team that had dominated yardage and time of possession from having that supremacy reflected on the scoreboard.</p>
<p>But oh, were they up for the challenge.</p>
<p>The defense, save for a blown coverage that accounted for Temple's lone touchdown, was as good as it's been this season--and it's been <i>really, really good this season</i>. Penn State forced five turnovers (six if you include a fourth down stand), all in the second half, each better than the last, one returned to the house and continuing the drive to make Pick Six University a source of pride rather than a running joke at our expense. At halftime, Temple hadn't converted a first down, and by game's end, they'd only managed three of 16. Temple's two other scoring drives both started in Penn State territory, and it was only PJ Walker's elusiveness that kept the Lions from racking up the sacks. The resurgent <span>Trevor Williams</span> was out, but <span>Grant Haley</span> and Christian Campbell both stepped in and intercepted passes en route to replacing him with the utmost cromulence. Bob Shoop's defense is almost unquestionably the best in the Big Ten, has a very real claim to being one of the best in the country, and deserves so much more than an offense that's spent most of this season only making their job tougher. Here's to hoping they'll get a fun matchup--maybe with the triple option of Georgia Tech?--in <i>the bowl game, you guys!</i></p>
<p>The running game, after showing signs of life last week, finally clicked--it certainly helps to have <span>Donovan Smith</span> and <span>Miles Dieffenbach</span> lining up next to one another for the first time this season. When Akeel Lynch and <span>Bill Belton</span> weren't bursting outside for long runs, they were hitting the hole with speed and grinding out the tough yards up the middle. Even the much-maligned wildcat worked when it was called for. Yes, Penn State ran all over UMass, but UMass is terrible. This was by far the best performance from the Penn State backfield this season, and it's a reason for real confidence moving forward--all the way <i>to the bowl game, you guys!</i></p>
<p>And the special teams! They were totally competent! <span>Sam Ficken</span> nailed all three of his field goals that made it over the line--because of course he did--but the one right before half, a 50-yarder, might have tested the faith of even the true believers, and yet it was perfect and straight and right down the middle with plenty of leg to spare. Hopefully the Groza committee was watching. Even the punting was solid--Danny Pasquariello didn't have a great game, but he didn't shank any, either, and his five punts were returned for 3 yards, total. Grant Haley had one nice kick return, and didn't trip over his own feet on any of them. All in all, a group that has cost Penn State wins this year and in the recent past only had one real hiccup this year--a blocked field goal, late, the fourth of the season.</p>
<p>But delighting in Penn State's successes--and celebrating its bowl berth, might be to bury the lede. The comfortable win puts a rosy glow on everything, but let's not forget just how down we were, early, on Hack.</p>
<p>This season has been one of excuses--many legitimate among of them--for Hackenberg's struggles. Today, few of them could apply. The run game was, if not dominant, then at least consistent, steady, and competent. The offensive line, with Smith and Dieffenbach together for the first time all season, gave him plenty of time to throw. There were few indications of miscommunications between Hack and his receivers--his throws just sailed high or wide or behind wide-open targets. This is still a John Donovan offense, but it's not all John Donovan's fault that Christian Hackenberg is still making freshmen mistakes--and new ones that he didn't even make a year ago, when he was under the tutelage of Bill O'Brien and Charlie Fisher.</p>
<p>He's still showing glimpses of his old, and perhaps his future, self--take, for instance, his dart to <span>DaeSean Hamilton</span> that would've gone for a 25-yard touchdown pass if Hamilton could have held on--but those have been few and far between and outweighed by the questionable decisions and bad throws and poor sacks taken. As Donnie Collins <a href="https://twitter.com/psubst/status/533685312417824768">expertly noted,</a> James Franklin's goal just has to be to get through the regular season. With 15 practices between Michigan State <i>and the freaking bowl game, you guys(!)</i>, there will be plenty of time to work with Hackenberg in a calm, controlled setting, and to get him back to where he needs to be moving forward. If Franklin is ever going to be capable of living up to his reputation as an offensive mind, that'll be the time to prove it.</p>
<p>You know what, guys? Screw it. Let's celebrate. We're going bowling.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/15/7226259/f-it-dude-lets-go-bowling-penn-state-30-temple-13-christian-hackenberg-bob-shoopdevon20122014-11-15T14:38:02-05:002014-11-15T14:38:02-05:00Penn State-Temple Fourth Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>/raises four fingers in the air</p>
<p>WE ARE...</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/15/7217951/penn-state-temple-fourth-quarter-open-threadJared Slanina2014-11-15T13:49:16-05:002014-11-15T13:49:16-05:00Sam Ficken Puts Penn State Ahead, Channels His Inner Darius Miles<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://vine.co/v/O5vzp3pdLi6">Sam Ficken Puts Penn State Ahead, Channels His Inner Darius&nbsp;Miles</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Best part of the season so far? (via @ericbsion)</p></p></div>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/15/7226053/sam-ficken-puts-penn-state-ahead-channels-his-inner-darius-milesDan Vecellio2014-11-15T13:45:02-05:002014-11-15T13:45:02-05:00Penn State-Temple Third Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LET'S GO STATE!!</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/15/7217899/penn-state-temple-third-quarter-open-threadJared Slanina2014-11-15T12:50:01-05:002014-11-15T12:50:01-05:00Penn State-Temple Second Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>BEAT TEMPLE!!</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/11/15/7217879/penn-state-temple-second-quarter-open-threadJared Slanina