Black Shoe Diaries - Penn State (3-1) vs Army (1-3)DOMINATE THE STATEhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47529/blackshoediaries_fave.png2015-10-06T07:12:01-04:00http://www.blackshoediaries.com/rss/stream/91779242015-10-06T07:12:01-04:002015-10-06T07:12:01-04:00Army Snap Counts: Depth Not Passing the Test
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<img alt="Maybe the defense was confused by every Army player having the last name "Army."" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lRw6-rE9EFV8BzfjrzaA166ztJg=/0x112:3000x2112/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47338228/GettyImages-491155706.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Maybe the defense was confused by every Army player having the last name "Army." | Justin K. Aller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State's depth is being tested and so far it hasn't been getting the job done.</p> <p>Penn State is a little bit banged up on both sides of the ball, and Saturday was a worrying sign of what that could mean. Obviously Army plays a different style of football than the Nittany Lions are going to be seeing throughout the rest of Big Ten play, but that's of little comfort after a game like that.</p>
<h3>Offense</h3>
<table border="0" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Pos.</b></td>
<td><b>No.</b></td>
<td><b>Class</b></td>
<td><b>Offense</b></td>
<td><b>Snaps</b></td>
<td><b>%Snap</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td><span>Christian Hackenberg</span></td>
<td>53</td>
<td>100%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LT</td>
<td>73</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>Paris Palmer</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>100%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LG</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Derek Dowrey</span></td>
<td>53</td>
<td>100%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RG</td>
<td>72</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Brian Gaia</span></td>
<td>53</td>
<td>100%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RT</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td><span>Brendan Mahon</span></td>
<td>53</td>
<td>100%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>66</td>
<td>RS Senior</td>
<td><span>Angelo Mangiro</span></td>
<td>37</td>
<td>70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Chris Godwin</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>87</td>
<td>RS Senior</td>
<td><span>Kyle Carter</span></td>
<td>36</td>
<td>68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td><span>DaeSean Hamilton</span></td>
<td>35</td>
<td>66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Brent Wilkerson</span></td>
<td>35</td>
<td>66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td><span>Nick Scott</span></td>
<td>31</td>
<td>58%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>88</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Mike Gesicki</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>58%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Saeed Blacknall</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>36%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Wendy Laurent</span></td>
<td>16</td>
<td>30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td><span>Mark Allen</span></td>
<td>11</td>
<td>21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Johnathan Thomas</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td>Geno Lewis</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>15%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>Brandon Polk</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>DeAndre Thompkins</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>86</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Albert Hall</span></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The main development in this game was the injury to senior center Angelo Mangiro, who went down with an apparent leg injury in the third quarter and did not return. He was replaced by Wendy Laurent, with mixed results. Hackenberg was sacked multiple times in the second half, and though Laurent wasn't directly responsible for them, it's fair to wonder whether or not line communication with Mangiro out of the game had something to do with them.</p>
<p><span>Akeel Lynch</span> and Saquon Barkley did not play after suffering injuries last week against San Diego State. Mark Allen started the game, but the bulk of the carries went to Nick Scott, who had a good touchdown run in the first quarter. We also saw the debut of redshirt freshman Johnathan Thomas in this game.</p>
<p>The tight ends were used heavily in this game with the passing game struggling. There was even an instance of a four tight end set, where walk-on Albert Hall (who until this point was only playing on the field goal unit) was put in the game on a 3rd-and-2. Hackenberg was again inaccurate throwing short passes and the receivers had instances of drops and falls while running their patterns that contributed to the offensive's ineffectiveness. Saeed Blacknall is definitively seeing more playing time than Geno Lewis at this point.</p>
<h3>Defense</h3>
<table border="0" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Pos.</b></td>
<td><b>No.</b></td>
<td><b>Class</b></td>
<td><b>Defense</b></td>
<td><b>Snaps</b></td>
<td><b>%Snap</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Troy Apke</td>
<td>57</td>
<td>100%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MLB</td>
<td>40</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Jason Cabinda</td>
<td>54</td>
<td>95%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S/CB</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Jordan Lucas</span></td>
<td>46</td>
<td>81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Troy Reeder</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>72%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Trevor Williams</span></td>
<td>41</td>
<td>72%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>95</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Carl Nassib</span></td>
<td>36</td>
<td>63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>90</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td><span>Garrett Sickels</span></td>
<td>36</td>
<td>63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>98</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Anthony Zettel</span></td>
<td>36</td>
<td>63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>99</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Austin Johnson</span></td>
<td>36</td>
<td>63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Grant Haley</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>John Reid</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td><span>Von Walker</span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td>53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>Manny Bowen</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>46%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td><span>Curtis Cothran</span></td>
<td>21</td>
<td>37%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Torrence Brown</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>37%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>91</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td>Tarow Barney</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>35%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LB</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>Jake Cooper</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>28%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td><span>Parker Cothren</span></td>
<td>15</td>
<td>26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Malik Golden</span></td>
<td>12</td>
<td>21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>93</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Antoine White</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Christian Campbell</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MLB</td>
<td>38</td>
<td>RS Senior</td>
<td><span>Ben Kline</span></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>5%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Brandon Bell</span> did not play after getting banged up last week, and Von Walker started in his place. He split snaps with freshman Manny Bowen at Bell's spot. Troy Reeder may have been injured late in this game, Jake Cooper was in his place on Army's final drive of the game with the score 20-14. And Jason Cabinda left the field briefly with an injury, being replaced by Ben Kline in his first appearance of the season.</p>
<p>Penn State is back to a full "first unit" vs. "second unit" strategy on the defensive line, and the second unit struggled against the triple option. Both Army touchdowns occurred with the second unit defensive line on the field, with A.J. Schurr's 56-yard touchdown run coming on the first play of that drive after the first unit left the field. The triple option is obviously a different animal from typical offenses, but it is a concerning trend to have seen them allow long drives when they've been on the field together. It should be noted that defensive end <span>Evan Schwan</span> missed this game after getting injured on the first series last week.</p>
<p>In the secondary, Jordan Lucas did not appear to be fully healthy and did not play after getting run over by Schurr on the long touchdown run. Troy Apke was the only defensive player in on every snap. Malik Golden saw limited action with the triple option essentially negating the need for the nickel package throughout the game. At corner, we've seen a consistent rotation develop with Trevor Williams, Grant Haley, and John Reid more or less splitting playing time. It is encouraging to see young guys like Haley and Reid hold their own there with Williams and Lucas both set to graduate.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/6/9455231/army-snap-counts-depth-not-passing-the-test-penn-state-nittany-lions-james-franklinDan_Smith2015-10-04T13:01:38-04:002015-10-04T13:01:38-04:00Post-Game Link Dump: Army West Point
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EvYU9f6UaHxQUIPVSTNxxaSF7rM=/0x0:4399x2933/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47330918/usa-today-8839454.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Yay, we won. Great.</p> <p>Let's start things off this morning with a look over at what PennLive had to say following this one. James Franklin isn't an angry guy, but <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2015/10/penn_state_football_army_west.html#incart_social_feature">things got a little heated</a> when he felt like Penn State's win was being analyzed like a loss. On a more fun note though, there was a photo gallery in that article too, and PennLive always does a great job with those. CJ Doon tries to get to the bottom of why Penn State's passing attack <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2015/10/penn_state_passing_attack_fail.html#incart_river">struggled so much</a>. On a similar note, <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2015/10/penn_state_still_hasnt_establi.html#incart_river">what is Penn State's offensive identity</a>? PennLive also gives their <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2015/10/the_penn_state_report_card_jam_3.html#incart_river">report card grades</a> following the win over Army. Finally, one of the bright spots in the passing game was Mike Gesicki's touchdown, which also served as <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2015/10/penn_state_tight_end_mike_gesi_1.html#incart_river">an awesome birthday present</a> for über-athletic tight end.</p>
<p>Over on ESPN, we find that Penn State sits at <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/124710/big-ten-week-five-power-rankings-ohio-state-still-on-top-northwestern-on-the-rise">#10 in their Big Ten power rankings</a>. We also have their <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/124642/penn-state-offense-struggles-capitalizes-off-turnovers-in-win-over-army">game recap</a>, in which Josh Moyer highlights Penn State's inability to make Army pay for their turnovers.</p>
<p>BWI <a href="https://bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1809944">breaks down the Lions' win</a>. They also put together a difficult-to-load, but cool <a href="https://bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1810002">gif page </a>of the biggest plays from the game. <a href="https://bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1809937">The defense knew</a> they would have to be the ones to step up and win this one, and they did just that. Finally, BWI has a <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://bwi.n.rivals.com/news/bwi-photos-penn-state-20-army-14">photo gallery </a>from this one, as well.</p>
<p>Lions247 delved into this one too, They start by looking at some of the <a href="http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/OverUnder-Revisited-Penn-State-holds-off-Army-39951538">key stats </a>from this one. They also compiled some of the <a href="http://pennstate.247sports.com/Bolt/What-They-Said-Army-39930191">best quotes from the players</a> following the narrow victory. Jeff Rice discusses many things, including Franklin's philosophy that <a href="http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/Nittany-Lions-continue-to-rely-on-conservative-offense-39964245">he doesn't care <i>how</i> his team wins</a>, just that they do win. Lions247 also breaks down the <a href="http://pennstate.247sports.com/Bolt/Five-things-we-learned-Army-edition-39929399">five things they felt could be learned</a> from the NIttany Lions' performance on Saturday.</p>
<p>Scout handed out their own <a href="http://www.scout.com/college/penn-state/story/1594911-penn-state-army-report-card">report card grades</a>.</p>
<p>As for us, per usual, we have our <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/3/9446345/penn-state-vs-army-final-score-with-3-things-to-know-from-the-nittany-lions-win">3 takeaways</a>, <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/3/9446301/fire-john-donovan-penn-state-20-army-14-james-franklin-christian-hackenberg">full-on-Devon Edwards-burn-it-down recap</a> and our <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/4/9447263/recap-penn-state-20-army-west-point-14">hey, wha happen</a>.</p>
<p>Time to shift attention towards Indiana.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/4/9449477/penn-state-army-post-game-linksNick Polak2015-10-04T12:01:58-04:002015-10-04T12:01:58-04:00Hey, Wha Happen: Penn State 20, Army West Point 14
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S11YMVes1pP1zcvGcnS6PCA3vhk=/0x0:3588x2392/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47330620/usa-today-8839018.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Penn State notched their fourth win of the season on Saturday, but plenty of issues remain heading into the Big 10 season.</p> <p>The intent of this post is usually to try and recap the big plays, turning points and other important moments from the previous day's game. Then, on some occasions, it becomes something of an emotional outlet for for an issue that arises during the game, requiring a few more characters than Twitter allows. Today is the latter.</p>
<p>As far as recaps go, it's really pretty easy. Penn State was gifted a number of short fields off of Army West Point fumbles, but only converted one of those into six points, and another into three. Those were the 10 points the Lions lead by at halftime, when the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwa94MI5Vc8">Blue Band took the field for perhaps the best performance by anyone in a blue and white uniform on the day</a>.</p>
<p>The Black Knights pulled within six points at 13-7, keyed by their only official pass attempt on the day early in the second half. PSU responded with three play, 91-yard drive, set up by the only two downfield throws <span>Christian Hackenberg</span> was allowed to attempt on Saturday (more on that in a bit). The first went for 49 yards to <span>Chris Godwin</span> and the second for 33 yards to <span>Mike Gesicki</span> for six points. Army got the points right back on the following drive, and after a Penn State punt, was driving for what would be a game winning score, thanks to a curious decision not to go for two after the Gesicki score. Fortunately for the home team, Jason Cabinda came up with a big sack on fourth down, essentially ending the game.</p>
<p>With apologies to the fine young men from West Point, this is a game that should not have been in doubt until the final minute. Penn State is bigger, stronger, faster and downright better at every single position on the field. Yes, Army plays exceptionally hard, and runs an offense that makes prepping for them difficult. What continues to boggle the mind though, is an inability, or perhaps worse, a refusal, to make adjustments to an offense that seems to rely exclusively on the prowess of a true freshman running back, who sat this one out with an injury.</p>
<p>Consider for a moment that Penn State has added what many consider one of the best collections of talent at wide receiver in the country over the past few years, with the likes of Chris Godwin, Saeed Blacknall, <span>DaeSean Hamilton</span>, Brandon Polk, and <span>DeAndre Thompkins</span> all playing this season. That does not even include <span>Kyle Carter</span> and Mike Gesicki at tight end.</p>
<p>Take Polk and Thompkins, for example. For the most part, the only touches either has this season are on designed (and somewhat telegraphed) running plays, or punt returns. Through five games, the two have combined for just 22 touches. Eleven of those are on Thompkins punt returns, 10 on designed runs, and just one reception (for no gain to Polk). Both players are burners, yet neither has been given a shot to show off that speed downfield in the passing game.</p>
<p>Gesicki and Carter are not traditional tight ends, yet PSU insists on utilizing them as blockers, rather than creating mismatches with either in the passing game. Through five games, I can remember just one attempt to run either down the seam, and not a single jump ball type scenario in the red zone to either.</p>
<p>Perhaps most concerning is the shell this offense goes in when Barkley is not on the field, or in today's case, out with injury. It was not until his entrance into the Buffalo game that PSU ran away from the Bulls, and after suffering an ankle injury last week against San Diego State, the offense suddenly reverted to its earlier form. Yes, he covers many issues with his natural ability, but the team plays with a certain confidence with him in the backfield. And, for reasons I cannot quite grasp, the play calling is more open with No. 26 on the field.</p>
<p>After yesterday, Penn State has played 18 games with this staff. They have gone through two spring practices, two training camps, 15 bowl game practices and 18 game weeks. You cannot tell me that we cannot keep Christian Hackenberg upright long enough to run a receiver downfield, and see if he can make a play. You cannot tell me that we can't find a way that isn't a gimmicky designed run to get the ball in the hands of playmakers like Thompkins and Polk, and see if they can't create a big play.</p>
<p>Most of all, you cannot tell me that through 19 months under this staff, the only offense we can run is one where a shifty freshman running back has to do it on his own. If that is the case, then we are way past the time where James Franklin needs to take a look at just what the hell his team is trying to do offensively.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/4/9447263/recap-penn-state-20-army-west-point-14Matt de Bear2015-10-03T17:40:07-04:002015-10-03T17:40:07-04:00James Franklin is Mr. Positivity.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WARa8OitqV7YdPMqkIaCP0Ul-bY=/0x0:2596x1731/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47327562/usa-today-8839443.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Everybody love everybody. Come on.</p> <p>In theory, it should be really easy to remain positive after winning a football game as long as players don't get hurt or anything. You won! 1-0 this week! Everything should be great.</p>
<p>But, uh, there were <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/3/9446301/fire-john-donovan-penn-state-20-army-14-james-franklin-christian-hackenberg">some concerns</a> with today's Penn State game. Sure, the Nittany Lions beat Army, but it was a 20-14 win over the worst of the three service academies, a narrow win over a team that has lost to Fordham, UConn, and Wake this season. There was a fair amount of questionable offensive playcalling, the defense got gassed going up against the weird Black Knights attack (which, to be fair, happens to everyone), and there were some really strange decisions, like the call to go for one instead of two when the Nittany Lions had a 12-point lead after Mike Gesicki's touchdown catch at the end of the third quarter.</p>
<p>But god dammit, James Franklin is going to do everything in his power to remain positive, because James Franklin is a positive guy, and he's not going to stop looking at the world through a positive lens now.</p>
<p>After today's game, here's how Franklin kicked off his press conference:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KQkRMPjrqO0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Not too bad, he seemed to generally call things out when he needs to – namely in the kicking game – but he did hammer home the positive message as much as possible. He ended his opening statement with some positive stuff, but it wasn't too over the top.</p>
<p>And then, hoo boy, the last question. I don't know what happened in between, because I sat on my couch today, but Franklin was asked a question which led to him going on a 91-second long rant about how he doesn't pay attention to point spreads, how he went to Atlantic City once when he was 24 and hasn't gambled since because he felt sick after losing $20, and that he is going to be positive beyond all belief. Franklin said he loves all of these things: the players, the school, the colors, Penn State, Happy Valley, the community, "our guys," the staff, the opportunity at Penn State, the players (again), the coaches (again), the media, everybody, and it. Here's the clip:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x8CzmT9BkG0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>I don't know about you, but that sounds like a dude who is frustrated with something. I don't know if it's with the media or with his team's performance or what, but we have never seen Franklin go into super-ultra-hyperdrive mode before, at least not like this. Trying to analyze and break him down is pointless, because none of us know what's going on inside of his head, but give Franklin credit: he seems like a lot of fans, because it looks like something bugged him today.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/3/9446871/james-franklins-insistence-on-being-positivity-comes-through-at-press-conference-penn-state-footballBill DiFilippo2015-10-03T15:04:27-04:002015-10-03T15:04:27-04:003 Key Takeaways: Penn State 20, Army 14
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State narrowly avoided a huge upset on Saturday.</p> <div id="fb-root"></div>
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<p>It wasn't pretty for Penn State on Saturday, but the Nittany Lions were able to earn the 20-14 win against the Black Knights of Army.</p>
<p>It was a slow first half, in which Army couldn't hold onto the football. Penn State was only able to manufacture 10 points before the break, with the offense struggling to put together anything consistent. <span>Nick Scott</span> was able to run in his first career touchdown on the second drive of the game, though.</p>
<p>The second half was a slightly more encouraging for Penn State in regards to play calling, but Army fought back to make it a game. Hackenberg and company were able to put together a 91 yard drive thanks to a 49 yard pass play to <span>Chris Godwin</span> and a 33 yard touchdown toss to Mike Gesicki. The Black Knights didn't go down without a fight, though, and scored once in each of the final two quarters, even finding themselves driving for the potential go-ahead score at one point. But on their final play from scrimmage, Jason Cabinda came up with the sack to end Army's chance to upset the Nittany Lions.</p>
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<h3>Three things to know</h3>
<p><b>1. Penn State's defense did what good defenses are supposed to do against a run-based team in the rain.</b></p>
<p>They were a solid unit for most of the day. Sure, Army put up 14 points, including a 56 yard touchdown run by AJ Schurr, but overall they were impressive. They recovered three fumbles and applied pressure in the backfield for most of the day. The only time that the defense truly faltered was when they were forced to be on the field for extended periods of time, which happened quite a bit thanks to the methodical nature of the triple option attack. Had Penn State's offense been able to put together some extended drives of their own and given their defense some rest, the scoreline in this one would have looked different.</p>
<p><b>2. The first half play calling was...not what I expected.</b></p>
<p>After seeing them finally open up the passing game against San Diego State, it would have been nice to see Donovan/Franklin let Hackenberg air it out a little more, even in the wet environment. <span>Nick Scott</span>, <span>Mark Allen</span> and Johnathan Thomas are all solid players, but none of them are <span>Akeel Lynch</span> or Saquon Barkley. Even considering the opponent, you have to give you team the chance to pull away in a game that they should be able to dominate. The offensive coaching staff didn't give their players the opportunity to do that in the this one, until allowing Hackenberg to throw downfield late in the third quarter.</p>
<p><b>3. This team could be in for a rough go in Big Ten play.</b></p>
<p>Is it possible that the coaching staff was calling a conservative game because it was the last game before conference play and it was raining? Sure. Considering how eerily similar it looked to how the first three games of the season were called, though, don't count on it. If the Nittany Lions aren't able to open up the mid-to-deep range passing game when non-Rutgers Big Ten opponents come knocking, this team could be in a dogfight to each and every week in their quest to gain bowl-eligibility.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/3/9446345/penn-state-vs-army-final-score-with-3-things-to-know-from-the-nittany-lions-winNick Polak2015-10-03T14:59:39-04:002015-10-03T14:59:39-04:00Fire John Donovan: Penn State 20, Army 14
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I don't want to talk about it, but I guess we have to.</p> <p>What the hell is there to say about a game like this? What the hell is left to say, that hasn't been said over and over again?</p>
<p>If you watched the game, you know exactly what happened. You don't need or want to relive it. You don't need or want anything but a space to vent, to spew righteous indignation at the recurring villains of this story. That's all I end up doing after a game like this, anyway.</p>
<p>If you were lucky enough to have been too busy on this rainy, ugly Saturday afternoon to sit in front of a TV--or even worse, outside in the damp cold--for three hours, then you are one of the lucky ones. Know that Penn State won, pretend that nothing else matters, and bury your head in the sand until Saquon Barkley comes back, because at least then this will be a team worth watching.</p>
<p>Just when it looked like these Nittany Lions were ready to turn a corner--a week after Christian Hackenberg's best regular season performance of the James Franklin era--Penn State devolved into the worst tendencies of John Donovan's tenure. The offensive line couldn't keep Hackenberg upright or open up holes for the backs; the non-Barkley rushers couldn't turn nothing into something; the receivers, when they weren't faithfully executing horrendous routes, couldn't get open. And through it all was the ever-present constant: awful, incomprehensible, disjointed play-calling that seemed opposed, on principle, to putting Penn State's best players in a position to succeed. It was so incoherent as to be utterly indistinguishable from a 9-year old playing Madden and just mashing the buttons.</p>
<p>In the first half, and even leaking into the second, Army could not get out of its own way. It committed backbreaking penalties to set up 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-and-long. It couldn't hold on to the ball--three Army fumbles, none forced, all led to turnovers. Once Army woke up, the sad truth became clear:</p>
<p>If it weren't for Army's inability, early, to get out of its own way, they would've walked away from Beaver Stadium with a blowout win, despite playing this game without their starting quarterback--easily their best offensive threat. Army lost to an FCS team. They lost to UConn and Wake Forest. They finished last season as the worst defensive team in the country, and the second worst road team. They made Penn State fight and claw for a win. And hey: remember when Penn State's special teams actually looked pretty good?</p>
<p>At halftime, Ali Krieger led Beaver Stadium in an "I Believe That We Will Win" chant. By the fourth quarter, that contention required a genuine leap of faith.</p>
<p>Are there positives to take from this game? If you can think of one, you're certainly more optimistic than me. Maybe, just maybe, it's better than another boring, comfortable win because it once again makes John Donovan public enemy number one in the eyes and minds of Penn State fans--hopefully, of the boosters who pay his grossly inflated salary. Even then, a loss probably would've done the trick even more convicningly. After a year and a half in his reign of terror, it's impossible that James Franklin, even with his famous loyalty, can fail to see what we all do, right?</p>
<p>Before Penn State's final scoring drive as the third quarter pulled to a close, one that pulled the Lions ahead from 13-7 to 20-7 (in a baffling decision that's squarely on Franklin, Penn State kicked the extra point rather than going for 2), Army had totalled more yards than Penn State. On one pass attempt, Army had 11 fewer passing yards.</p>
<p>It took John Donovan about 45 minutes to even <i>try</i> to let his celebrated quarterback throw the ball down the field. As the announcers talked about Christian Hackenberg's regression, and slipping draft stock, I wondered whether Hack might find some enterprising lawyer to invent a novel theory of professional malpractice to try and sue his offensive coordinator.</p>
<p>This is a dead team walking--and with all the injuries that just continue to pile up, that's barely even a metaphor. Angelo Mangiro left this game in the third quarter. Brandon Bell didn't play today. Neither did Marcus Allen. Andrew Nelson remains sidelined. So too do Barkley and Akeel Lynch. Nobody knows whether Adam Breneman is still alive. Perhaps when James Franklin's winning games, his recalcitrance to discuss injured players' statuses is less grating. For a fanbase still searching for answers, it's obnoxious at best.</p>
<p>Things had been trending upwards for Penn State, ever since the complete humiliation in Philadelphia. Despite a win, this feels almost as bad.</p>
<p>Welcome back, Same Old Penn State Football. Who's excited for Homecoming next week!</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/3/9446301/fire-john-donovan-penn-state-20-army-14-james-franklin-christian-hackenbergdevon20122015-10-03T14:15:00-04:002015-10-03T14:15:00-04:00Penn State-Army 4th Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Get those four fingers in the air! Time to finish off the Black Knights.</p>
<p>WE ARE...</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/3/9420501/penn-state-army-college-football-4th-quarter-open-thread-carl-nassib-christian-hackenbergJared Slanina2015-10-03T13:43:32-04:002015-10-03T13:43:32-04:00Penn State-Army 3rd Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Well that was some first half, amirite??</p>
<p>BEAT ARMY!!</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/3/9420451/penn-state-army-college-football-3rd-quarter-open-thread-espn-christian-hackenbergJared Slanina