Black Shoe Diaries - Penn State (4-1) vs Indiana (4-1)DOMINATE THE STATEhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47529/blackshoediaries_fave.png2015-10-14T08:22:01-04:00http://www.blackshoediaries.com/rss/stream/92314442015-10-14T08:22:01-04:002015-10-14T08:22:01-04:00Indiana Snap Counts: Rotating Left Guards
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1C3HkjV_sowRAQhOYJ-80gDE1HY=/0x188:3426x2472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47414596/usa-today-8851790.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>For the first time this season, we saw some rotation on the offensive line.</p> <p>Penn State rotates players at a couple of positions during a typical game: the running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, defensive linemen, and cornerbacks tend to play series-by-series with a healthy amount of rotation. Saturday's game saw a new twist, and one that wasn't brought on by injuries or garbage time.</p>
<h3>Offense</h3>
<table align="center" border="0">
<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>Christian Hackenberg</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LT</td>
<td>73</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>Paris Palmer</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Wendy Laurent</span></td>
<td>67</td>
<td>92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RG</td>
<td>72</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Brian Gaia</span></td>
<td>67</td>
<td>92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RT</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td>Andrew Nelson</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td>DaeSean Hamilton</td>
<td>56</td>
<td>77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Chris Godwin</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>75%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LG</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td>Brendan Mahon</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>88</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Mike Gesicki</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td><span>Nick Scott</span></td>
<td>35</td>
<td>48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>87</td>
<td>RS Senior</td>
<td><span>Kyle Carter</span></td>
<td>32</td>
<td>44%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Brent Wilkerson</span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td><span>Mark Allen</span></td>
<td>27</td>
<td>37%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td>Geno Lewis</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LG</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Derek Dowrey</span></td>
<td>21</td>
<td>29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>Brandon Polk</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Saeed Blacknall</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>DeAndre Thompkins</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>14%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LG/TE</td>
<td>71/86</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Albert Hall</span></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Trace McSorley</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>RS Senior</td>
<td><span>Matt Zanellato</span></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LT</td>
<td>75</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Brendan Brosnan</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>RS Senior</td>
<td><span>Kevin Reihner</span></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RG</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Chance Sorrell</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RT</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Noah Beh</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Dominic Salomone</span></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Johnathan Thomas</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td>Brandon Johnson</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>Gregg Garrity</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td>Jake Kiley</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Brendan Mahon is back at left guard with Andrew Nelson playing right tackle. Mahon has probably struggled more than any of the starters this season, at both the guard and tackle positions. So after a couple of particular bad showings by Mahon, we saw Derek Dowrey step in on the next series. This happened in both the first and second half, though Mahon eventually came back in each time. Still, the coaching staff has clearly grown impatient waiting for Mahon to catch up to the rest of the line and has a somewhat short leash for him. It's something to keep an eye on moving forward.</p>
<p>The rest of the offensive line held steady until the final possession in the fourth quarter with a 29-7 lead. Like we did against Rutgers, we saw the second unit offensive line get in the game. This time that unit included Chance Sorrell at right guard with Kevin Reihner playing center, (against Rutgers, Wendy Laurent played center with Reihner at right guard).</p>
<p>With Saquon Barkley and <span>Akeel Lynch</span> still sidelined with injuries, the carries were shared by Nick Scott and Mark Allen, with Scott both starting and seeing the majority of the snaps. Allen may have been in line for more of the workload before a fumble and brief altercation with running backs coach Charles Huff on the sideline afterwards. Johnathan Thomas was not part of the rotation and split the garbage time carries with walk-on senior <span>Brandon Johnson</span>.</p>
<p>At wide receiver, the biggest change was more snaps for Brandon Polk and DeAndre Thompkins, who were not just used as jet sweep runners in this game. Polk caught a touchdown on a wheel route and Thompkins ran some patterns as well. It would be nice to see the speedsters continue to get more involved in the offense. We also saw appearances at the end of the game by senior Matt Zanellato, junior Jake Kiley, and walk-on junior Gregg Garrity, who caught a pass from Trace McSorley on the final play of the game.</p>
<p>Mike Gesicki is seeing more consistent work at tight end, though his snap counts were slightly padded by remaining in the game during garbage time. It's still a pretty steady rotation at tight end. At the end of the game, walk-on H-back Dominic Salomone made an appearance.</p>
<h3>Defense</h3>
<table align="center" border="0">
<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/CB</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Jordan Lucas</span></td>
<td>62</td>
<td>91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td><span>Marcus Allen</span></td>
<td>62</td>
<td>91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MLB</td>
<td>40</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Jason Cabinda</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Troy Reeder</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>Brandon Bell</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>78%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>99</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Austin Johnson</span></td>
<td>47</td>
<td>69%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>98</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Anthony Zettel</span></td>
<td>40</td>
<td>59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>95</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Carl Nassib</span></td>
<td>39</td>
<td>57%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>90</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td>Garrett Sickels</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>57%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Trevor Williams</span></td>
<td>36</td>
<td>53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Grant Haley</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>John Reid</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>47%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Christian Campbell</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td>Parker Cothren</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>35%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Torrence Brown</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>32%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>94</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Evan Schwan</span></td>
<td>20</td>
<td>29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td><span>Malik Golden</span></td>
<td>18</td>
<td>26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>91</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td>Tarow Barney</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>RS Sophomore</td>
<td>Curtis Cothran</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>Jake Cooper</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>16%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>Troy Apke</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>16%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DT</td>
<td>93</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Antoine White</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MLB</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>RS Junior</td>
<td>
<span>Gary Wooten</span> Jr.</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>Manny Bowen</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>RS Freshman</td>
<td>Amani Oruwariye</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OLB</td>
<td>35</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td><span>Matthew Baney</span></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Jordan Lucas and <span>Marcus Allen</span> were full participants at safety on Saturday. The team also used more dime packages during passing downs than nickel packages, perhaps feeling more confident in backup safeties Malik Golden and Troy Apke after the pair saw significant playing time over the last few weeks with Lucas and Allen both dealing with injuries.</p>
<p>The corner rotation is fairly balanced between starters Trevor Williams and Grant Haley and backup John Reid. Christian Campbell saw occasional snaps throughout the game and also played in garbage time with freshman Amani Oruwariye.</p>
<p>The starting linebackers saw regular snaps, with Reeder and Bell occasionally leaving on nickel and dime downs. Jake Cooper continues to be used as the fourth linebacker and is playing on the outside now. Garbage time saw appearances by Manny Bowen, Matthew Baney, and Gary Wooten, Jr.</p>
<p>The defensive line rotation varied. At times they would take one, two, or three starters off of the field. Three starters were off the field when Indiana put together their only touchdown drive. Freshman Torrence Brown is now the top backup defensive end, though Evan Schwan may see more snaps as he continues to improve from an injury. It will be interesting to see how Bob Shoop handles the defensive line rotations next week against a team like Ohio State, and will probably be more indicative of how comfortable he feels with each player.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/14/9524913/indiana-snap-counts-rotating-left-guards-penn-state-nittany-lions-james-franklin-saquon-barkleyDan_Smith2015-10-13T09:41:02-04:002015-10-13T09:41:02-04:00BSD MVP: Christian Hackenberg
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DRrLm69EK0bQnbu8rQ53XXH4rJs=/502x67:2999x1732/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47403898/GettyImages-492168580.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Justin K. Aller/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Look up in the sky! It's a bird... It's a plane... It's the MVP.</p> <p>Saquon who? There's a new sky walker on the Planet Nittany.</p>
<p>Entering the game against the Indiana's defense, <span>Christian Hackenberg</span> was expected to have a good day, and he did. Sure, he only had 262 yards passing against the Hoosiers' 125th (out of 127) passing defense in the country, but he had a number of yards lost to drops, finishing 21/39, and accounting for all four touchdowns on the day. Hackenberg had two gorgeous throws for scores to <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/10/9493417/hackenberg-throws-a-bomb-to-brandon-polk-for-a-touchdown" target="_blank">Brandon Polk</a> and <a href="http://www.btn.com/video/542311491800" target="_blank">DaeSean Hamilton</a> in the first half.</p>
<p>More impressive were his wheels. Hackenberg added 21 yards on the ground, dinged by four sacks. However, he had a career long run of 22 yards in the second quarter and <a href="http://www.btn.com/video/542330947641">touched the sky</a> on a touchdown dive in the fourth. In a bit of controversy, perhaps frustrated by earlier drops, Hackenberg opted to call his own number as he bypassed an open <span>Kyle Carter</span> during a bootleg rollout on his <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/10/9493609/hackenberg-shows-his-wheels-with-his-third-touchdown-of-the-game" target="_blank">first rushing touchdown</a>.</p>
<p>Statistically, when no one individual dominated and the ball was spread around, everyone chipped in on the day. Christian Hackenberg managed to stand out and avoided any turnovers again as the Nittany Lions improved to 5-1 to now enter the anything but a rivalry week of Ohio State.</p>
<h3>Honorable Mention</h3>
<p><span>Carl Nassib</span> continues to rampage through the season tallying four tackles, including two sacks. He also tacked on an additional pair of forced fumbles on the day. On the year, he leads the nation in both sacks and forced fumbles, he also sits at third in tackles for loss.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/13/9516891/penn-state-football-bsd-mvp-indiana-christian-hackenberg-carl-nassibNick Blonde2015-10-13T08:18:28-04:002015-10-13T08:18:28-04:0031 Random Thoughts About Indiana
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WHjty0MPFcymCJTIzk8wcBTgr-o=/0x121:4044x2817/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47400840/usa-today-8851724.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A bunch of thoughts, in no particular order, on the Homecoming weekend that was against the Hoosiers.</p> <p>Once again, Penn State played football this weekend. It didn't rain, finally. The offense looked alive, finally. Here are your regularly scheduled random thoughts, finally:</p>
<p>1. So, it was homecoming. Finally.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zkvsiGFHy2k" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>2. I'm still waiting on those pink and black alternate uniforms. They really would look good on a crisp October day where they can match the Homecoming S-Zone.</p>
<p>3. As we mentioned, it didn't rain. Finally. I'm fairly certain that whatever entity or deity is in control of the weather had planned for a torrential downpour over State College, Pennsylvania this weekend, only to have someone stop it and go, "Listen, you just can't do that to these poor people again."</p>
<p>4. I know the joke has been said about a thousand times, but based on the completely different tone that this game took on, it remains worth wondering if Keegan-Michael Key took James Franklin's place on the sidelines. The impersonation really was that good.</p>
<p>5. We've discussed the weather plenty of times in this young season, but most critics have been quick to blame either personnel or (more often than not) playcalling for the Lions' offensive struggles. After watching Penn State slice Indiana's defense with explosive play after explosive play, it's worth wondering if, somehow, we actually managed to overlook the aforementioned awful weather for the season's first 5 weeks.</p>
<p>6. Despite Random Thought #5, it appeared that the offense was being run with an entirely different playbook. Taking a shot downfield on the game's first play was the right idea, particularly with Saquon Barkley and <span>Akeel Lynch</span> on the DL. Tactically, it loosens up Indiana's already porous defense and gives the three freshmen running backs (<span>Nick Scott</span>, <span>Mark Allen</span>, Johnathan Thomas) room to move. Even though that's the best reason to make that call, it may have paid greater dividends mentally and emotionally. This team bought in to the notion that they were capable of breaking big plays against Indiana. The first pass showed the players and the crowd that the coaching staff believed that too.</p>
<p>7. I'm doubling down on my comment from last week that each of these freshmen backs does certain things well, but none are the complete package just yet. <span>Nick Scott</span> is the closest of the three. That 35-yard burst showed off a pretty cutback and was a nice piece of running. He's certainly an asset in the screen game, as well. That will come in handy against defensive lines that will be told to pin their ears back and charge.</p>
<p>8. <span>Mark Allen</span> is a unique player. He's small, but not frail, and he's lightning quick. Outside of Akeel Lynch, he might be the best pass protector out of all of the backs. That's going to keep him on the field and a part of the game plan.</p>
<p>9. I found it hard to tell who was at fault for that Allen fumble on the exchange with Hackenberg in the shotgun. The announcers wanted desperately to put it on Hack, but it didn't look like the coaches felt that way.</p>
<p>10. Not for nothing, but ripping Allen off the field by his collar after that fumble is an ugly look. I'm not particularly offended by it, but that's a moment that looks a lot worse in hindsight if we're on the losing end of this game.</p>
<p>11. This game was much closer that the final score indicates during the first 15-20 minutes. A penalty saved Penn State from a fumble that looked like a horrific momentum swing. These are the kinds of breaks that teams need to get in order to win. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.</p>
<p>12. But most of the time, it's better to just be good. Like <span>Christian Hackenberg</span> on his pair of 39-yard touchdown passes to Brandon Polk and <span>DaeSean Hamilton</span>.</p>
<p>13. Speaking of Polk, plenty of calls prior to this week to get him into the open field and use him on plays other than the vaunted jet sweep. That fake-sweep/wheel route works if the offensive line can hold up long enough for the play to develop. It was a pleasure to see that it did. I don't care what team we play, there is no one who can keep up with Brandon Polk on that play. He had at least 5 steps on the Indiana coverage.</p>
<p>14. By the way, the reason Polk hasn't caught many passes isn't because of the coaching staff's stubborn refusal to put him out there to run "normal" routes. It's because he's a 5'9, 170 pound true freshman who isn't strong enough to stand his ground against larger, more experienced defenders. He sure is fun to watch when he can, though.</p>
<p>15. The offensive line generally played a solid game on Saturday, from what I could tell. I find it difficult to watch the linemen on the first go ‘round, but it looked like <span>Wendy Laurent</span> filled in well for <span>Angelo Mangiro</span>. Nice to see <span>Andrew Nelson</span> back in the starting lineup as well.</p>
<p>16. That first sack given up on the first drive did not, to me, feel like an offensive line mishap. I did notice the lazy footwork that Hack has acknowledged and is working to fix.</p>
<p>17. Unquestionably nervous to see Paris Palmer against <span>Joey Bosa</span> next weekend. Palmer's begun to grow into his role at left tackle, but Bosa's a tall order for even the best tackles.</p>
<p>18. I wonder how the availability of Saquon Barkley affects the game plan. It seemed after last week, the coaches knew that they would have to put the game in the hands of Christian Hackenberg in order to generate offense with the absence of Barkley. With him, though, does the game plan become more basic, more conservative? Isn't that the opposite of what we should try to do?</p>
<p>19. Everyone wants to talk about Hack's two touchdown runs (more on the bootleg in a minute). I actually thought his most impressive run of the day was the 22-yard scamper down the left sideline for a first down. Critics discuss Hackenberg like he's a fragile statue. No one will ever mistake him for this guy:</p>
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<p>Still, he's an athletic guy who has shown the capacity to run when necessary. The runs we saw this past Saturday felt like a guy who is finally getting comfortable in an offense that requires the quarterback to be more mobile than Bill O'Brien's did. He does not have to run the zone read like <span>Trace McSorley</span>, but if he can scramble for yards and make the most out of those opportunities, he'll accomplish at least two things - (1) he'll avoid getting smacked by a blitzing linebacker or rushing lineman, and (2) he'll pick up a few first downs that could be crucial to continuing drives.</p>
<p>20. I know the right thing to say is that Hack made the right decision to run that bootleg in for a score rather than toss it to <span>Kyle Carter</span>. I know it was the right decision. Still, I understand Carter's frustration. When he was a freshman in Bill O'Brien's offense, we all believed he was a future All-American and star offensive player. Things haven't gone exactly according to plan. I would've wanted that touchdown too.</p>
<p>21. Nice to see Trace McSorley out there in garbage time against a quality opponent. Nice to see what the zone read looks like when your quarterback is a legitimate threat to run. Next year should prove interesting.</p>
<p>22. I just called Indiana a "quality opponent." The Age of Parity really is upon us, my friends.</p>
<p>23. <span>Carl Nassib</span>. The Big Ticket.</p>
<p>24. I still can't figure out why Christian Hackenberg struggles to throw the bubble screen. For a guy who can throw perfect 40+ yard passes, the fact that he has issues with a pass that could make his completion percentage rise dramatically is surprising.</p>
<p>25. Welcome back, <span>Brandon Bell</span>. We need you to stay healthy, mostly so we can see you dance and sing and fire up the crowd while you pace in your linebacker space pre-snap. Is there anyone who's having more fun out there than <span>Brandon Bell</span>?</p>
<p>26. Maybe Austin Johnson, since he eats opposing offenses for lunch every week. Zettel is outstanding, but Johnson may have a case to make that he's the best defensive tackle on the roster.</p>
<p>27. When I saw that onside kick succeed, I thought we were in for a very, very long afternoon. Thankfully, I was wrong.</p>
<p>28. For all the talk about Nate Sudfield, I thought that <span>Zander Diamont</span> filled in admirably. He's a good player. The offense has a very different look depending upon the player under center, but either version can be extremely effective and very dangerous. I feel comfortable suggesting that we would've had success either way.</p>
<p>29. The third quarter issues on offense remind me of the 2<sup>nd</sup> quarter lulls we saw in the O'Brien era. In those games, Penn State tended to look fantastic on the scripted plays. After that, it would take between 4 minutes left in the first and 6 minutes left in the second for the offense to adjust to the defense and swing back. It's an odd quirk here to have it happen after halftime. Still, I did not find the 3<sup>rd</sup> quarter game plan to be particularly conservative. Sometimes, the plays you call just don't work. This isn't PS4, after all.</p>
<p>30. The next time someone talks about "injury-riddled Indiana" and uses it as an excuse for losing this game, I'd like that person to take a look at our roster and wonder why that excuse should be valid.</p>
<p>31. In retrospect, I'm not sure what it was about Indiana that made me nervous and made me look at the -6.5 point spread sideways. Truth be told, I'm fairly certain that was more about us than it ever was about Indiana. When this team plays to its potential, it can hang with anyone on its schedule. This week will provide a good barometer as to where we are with respect to the rest of the big dogs. Ohio State is the defending national champion. Michigan State is a top ten team. And Michigan suddenly looks like the best team in the entire conference. It's time for this team to take its next step. They have a perfect opportunity at 8:00 p.m. in Columbus this Saturday.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/13/9513545/penn-state-football-random-thoughts-indiana-keegan-michael-key-franklin-hackenbergAdam Collyer2015-10-11T08:43:46-04:002015-10-11T08:43:46-04:00Hey, Wha Happen: Penn State 29, Indiana 7
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<p>Christian Hackenberg came out firing to help the Nittany Lions beat Indiana in their most complete game so far this season. </p> <p>Penn State's Big Ten schedule is officially upon us. There are no more safe non-conference games and even though the Nittany Lions were 4-1 coming into Homecoming weekend against Indiana, many believed this game to be Penn State's biggest test so far this season. For all the negativity surrounding the team's play over the last few weeks, Penn State shrugged off the naysayers and with some help from now Dual Threat Quarterback <span>Christian Hackenberg</span>, the Nittany Lions pulled together their best win so far this year.</p>
<div>Coming into Saturday's game, Indiana's pass defense was ranked the second lowest in the country, an obvious weakness Penn State was looking to exploit. The Nittany Lions almost did, too, on the first play of the game, with Christian Hackenberg lobbing a bomb down the left sideline to <span>Chris Godwin</span>, but he under-threw the wide receiver. On the very next play, third string running back <span>Nick Scott</span> -- getting his first start over injured RBs Akeel Lynch and Saquon Barkley -- broke through a hole in the middle for a 35 yard run. However, Penn State's first drive stalled after a sack and two incomplete passes from Hackenberg.</div>
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<div>Indiana's first drive didn't fare much better either. Punter Dan Pasquariello pinned the Hoosiers inside their own 10 yard line, and Penn State's defense forced Indiana quarterback <span><span>Zander Diamont</span></span><span> into a 3rd and 10. Diamont picked up the down with his legs for a 16 yard run, but bad passing and near interceptions by Penn State forced the Hoosiers to punt. </span>
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<div>It took until Penn State's third drive in the middle of the first quarter for the Nittany Lions to put up points. The drive almost was lost when Hackenberg was hit from behind and the ball popped loose, but the play was negated by an Indiana hands to the face penalty that gave Penn State a new set of downs after a 15 yard net gain. On Hackenberg's third completion of the day, freshman Brandon Polk pulled in a beautiful pass on a wheel route after gaining huge seperation. The 35 yard touchdown at 7:35 of the first quarter was Polk's first career TD reception, putting Penn State up 7-0.</div>
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<div>Indiana came back firing on their next possession, mixing up the running and passing game for an 8 play, 65 yard scoring drive. <span>Diamont hit three consecutive passes that moved the Hoosiers into the Penn State red zone, and the QB kept it himself on a fake for a 12 yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7. Indiana wasn't done with the trickery, and on the ensuing kickoff, the Hoosiers recovered their onside kick at midfield. Thankfully, Penn State's defense held the Indiana run game and the visitors had to punt after a three and out.</span>
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<div>Penn State hit the next possession driving with Hackenberg completing two short passes with big runs after the catch for consecutive first downs. The offensive gameplan continued, targeting Indiana downfield, but twice during the drive, Hackenberg could not complete with receivers downfield. Just as the Nittany Lions were hitting their stride, running back <span>Mark Allen</span> fumbled the football after failing to secure Hackenberg's handoff at the Indiana 37 yard line to end the first quarter. The fumble was the first one lost by Penn State this season.</div>
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<div>Bob Shoop's defense, after being burned in the red zone on the previous drive, held Indiana to only one first down on the next possession to start the second. With a key sack on second down, the defense was able to get off the field with no damage done after the Allen turnover.</div>
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<div>On Penn State's next offensive possession with 12:55 to go in the second quarter, the Nittany Lions were driving once again, but a penalty stalled the drive in its tracks. In some offensive trickery from coordinator Donovan, Polk was given a reverse pitch play that he ran for 20 yards, but the run was called back by an illegal block below the waist. With a net loss of 15 yards, Penn State was forced to punt after what looked like a potential scoring drive.</div>
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<div>After an inconsequential Indiana drive, Penn State put together their best possession of the afternoon, a four play touchdown drive. Allen got the drive started with a 28 yard run up the middle, breaking a few tackles and using the stiff arm to gain a few extra precious yards. On the next play, Godwin made a nice catch and utilized the spin move to pick up a first down to get to the Indiana 38. Allen lost a yard on the next run play, but Hackenberg more than made up for it with a Hamilton touchdown pass down the center of the field. However, Big Toe Joey Julius missed the extra point that kept the score at 13-7 with five minutes to play in the half.</div>
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<div>Penn State capped off the first half with the Christian Hackenberg show. After hitting Mike Gesicki along the seam for a 16 yard play, then it was essentially all Hackenberg. The QB ran three times, including a big 22 yard run after surveying the field and finding no one open. Hackenberg finished the drive with a one yard TD bootleg run to put Penn State up 19-7 after Julius missed his second consecutive extra point.</div>
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<div>After both teams went three-and-out to start the second half, Indiana's Diamont started to pick up steam but then a sideline infraction on head coach <span>Kevin Wilson</span> pushed the Hoosiers back into their own territory. To make things worse for Indiana, Diamont took a heavy hit from <span>Garrett Sickels</span> that looked to injure his right shoulder. Redshirt freshman <span>Danny Cameron</span> took over for Indiana midway through the third quarter.</div>
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<div>Punts and defensive stands were the mainstay of the third. The biggest defensive play came when Indiana had marched themselves to the Nittany Lion 34 yard line. Penn State bent but did not break, and they stopped Indiana on a fourth and four with a helpful tipped ball via <span>Anthony Zettel</span>.</div>
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<span>John Reid</span> started the fourth quarter nicely for Penn State, picking off Cameron's pass that was tipped by his wide receiver and the Nittany Lion freshman laid out to catch Indiana's first interception of the day. A 21 yard quick throw from Hackenberg to tight end <span>Kyle Carter</span> got the Nittany Lions down near the Indiana red zone and the drive was completed once again by a Hackenberg taking it to the house himself on a five yard run to put Penn State up 26-7 with 10:37 to go in the game.</div>
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<span>Tyler Davis</span>, subbing in for Julius, capped off Penn State's scoring with five and a half minutes left with a 30 yard field goal that put the game to bed for the Nittany Lions with a final score of 29-7.</div>
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<div>Without question, Saturday's win was Penn State's most complete game of the season. The Rutgers game was a great bounce back against a weak conference team, but Indiana came into Beaver Stadium with a 4-1 record and were effectively shut down by early offense and a stingy defense.</div>
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<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">Three Completely Unrelated, Probably Useless Thoughts</h3>
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<li><span>As stated above, this win is without a doubt Penn State's best of the season. And for once this year, John Donovan's offense looked to have a clear plan of attack instead of check downs and unnecessary trick plays. With the defense only giving up one touchdown drive, the offense finally stepped up and put up points instead of stalling like we've seen over the past few frustrating weeks. Let's hope this continues into the tougher weeks to come.</span></li>
<li><span>Christian Hackenberg went 21 for 39 -- a statistic that could have been a lot higher if receivers caught the ball in the first half of the game -- and basically ran this game (pun intended) from start to finish. Besides throwing the deep ball that exploited Indiana's clear weakness, Hackenberg was mobile in ways we haven't seen before. Sure, a lot of his runs were in the open field, but it's still quite nice to see Hack do the Superman to get his second running touchdown of the day. Two throwing TDs to cap off his best performance of the year isn't bad either.</span></li>
<li><span>We're one win away from bowl eligibility!! How about that?</span></li>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/11/9495975/Penn-state-football-indiana-hey-wha-happen-hackenberg-punting-big-tenMary Clarke2015-10-10T16:04:30-04:002015-10-10T16:04:30-04:00Position Grades: Indiana
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<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ready for a new recurring post-game segment? Of course you are! </p> <h4>Quarterback: A-</h4>
<p>It was easily Christian Hackenberg's best performance of 2015. 266 yards passing for two touchdowns and a pair of touchdown runs, to boot. This is what happens when you actually open up the playbook and allow Hack to be Hack. The only knock on Hack today is for his throwing several passes too high on wide-open receivers (hence, the A-minus).</p>
<h4>Running Back: C</h4>
<p><span>Nick Scott</span> and <span>Mark Allen</span> both broke a big run of 20+ yards or more, each but finished with rather pedestrian 57 and 42 yards, respectively. The Hackenruns for touchdowns help prevent this grade from being lower.</p>
<h4>Wide Receivers/Tight End: B-</h4>
<p>The minus is for dropping several balls, but it was great to see nine different Nittany Lions catch a pass in this game. <span>Chris Godwin</span> has some nice timely catches and <span>DaeSean Hamilton</span> went full BaeSean with a TD grab, himself. Oh, did I mention John Donovan actually threw the ball downfield to Brandon Polk? Did I also mention that Polk ended up scoring a TD when he caught the downfield pass? Mind. Blown.</p>
<h4>Offensive Line: C-</h4>
<p>It was a Jekyll-Hyde type performance for the offensive line today. When they gave Hack enough time to throw, the results were quite good. In the 3rd quarter especially though, they were downright turrible, allowing Indiana defensive ends to run right by them untouched and get to Hack. The run blocking also continued to be rather meh. Really, C-minus is probably being generous.</p>
<h4>Defensive Line: A</h4>
<p>When your defense holds a team to 155 yards passing and 79 yards on the ground, A's are going to become a recurring theme. Once the passing game was negated, this unit was able to tee off on <span>Zander Diamont</span>/Danny Cameron. Carl Nassib and <span>Garrett Sickels</span> had a couple of really nice sacks, especially when Sickels blindsided Diamont right into the turf, shortly after Diamont 'shushed' the crowd after scoring the Hoosiers' lone points of the day and <span>Anthony Zettel</span> batted a couple of passes to the turf.</p>
<h4>Linebacker: A</h4>
<p>Solid as usual. Getting Brandon Bell back to help Jason Cabinda and Jason Reeder in run support was huge. They also did a nice job bringing pressure on IU's quarterback whenever Bob Shoop decided to dial up the heat.</p>
<h4>Secondary: A</h4>
<p>They gave up a few big pass plays over the middle, but other than that, it was a solid performance from a unit that wasn't tested all that much due to the lack of a capable passer lining up under center for the Hoosiers. John Reid notched his second interception of the year, as well.</p>
<h4>Special Teams: C-</h4>
<p>Perhaps it was due to not having <span>Chris Gulla</span> holding the ball for him, but Joey Julius inexplicably botched back-to-back extra points, making what should've been a more comfortable-feeling 21-7 halftime lead a less comforting 19-7 lead. De'Andre Thompkins had a couple of decent returns and didn't muff any punts and Julius did his usual thing on kickoffs (i.e. booting them right into the end zone) but did kick one out of bounds. Also, getting caught off-guard on that onside kic attempt early in the game was no bueno.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/10/9493901/penn-state-indiana-football-2015-position-grades-christian-hackenberg-carl-nassib-anthony-zettelTim Aydin2015-10-10T15:17:48-04:002015-10-10T15:17:48-04:00On to Columbus: Penn State 29, Indiana 7
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<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn't always pretty, but Penn State earned a comfortable win over Indiana, and heads into next Saturday's Ohio State game on a five-game winning streak.</p> <p>It's kind of weird to feel this good about a game that could've gone so horribly wrong.</p>
<p>For most of the first quarter, it felt like this would be another painful, sloppy, ugly, turn-off-your-television kind of games. On the first drive, Hackenberg couldn't hit his wide open receivers. On the second, those receivers couldn't reel in Hack's throws. Even the defense dropped a pair of easy interceptions. Late in the quarter, Penn State scored a touchdown, but, promptly, Joey Julius put the ensuing kickoff out of bounds. It was that kind of game.</p>
<p>And then Indiana drove for a touchdown, surprised the return team with an onside, and recovered. It was a tailor-made turning point, designed and executed perfectly by Kevin Wilson and his team. A score there might have demoralized the 100,000 in the house for Homecoming, forced Penn State to deal with the type of adversity they haven't faced since the Temple game.</p>
<p>But Penn State's defense was up to the task--as it was all game, the lone touchdown drive notwithstanding. And even though Mark Allen would cough the ball up on the next drive, it never really felt like the Nittany Lions were going to be in trouble.</p>
<p>The offense came alive just enough later in that second quarter to put this one out of reach for an Indiana team already playing without its top quarterback and running back--and then forced to rely on its third string quarterback once Zander Diamont was knocked out. Diamont, despite his spunk and fearlessness, was no match for Penn State's front-four--especially once they could pin their ears back and come after him--but a redshirt freshman like Danny Cameron had no chance. By the time this one devolved into a puntfest in the second half--the third quarter featured 7 punts and no first downs--this game was already over.</p>
<p>And it was over, in no small part, due to a excellent gameplan from John Donovan. Credit where it's due: operating without Saquon Barkley and Akeel Lynch, Donovan let Hack loose from the get-go (the first play of the game was a bomb down the sideline for Godwin) and abandoned the quick-release passing game for a more downfield attack. There were the adjustments us fans had long since called for, but even more, a spark of creativity to get the ball into the hands of his most talented skill players. While Hackenberg's final numbers don't look especially pretty, he looked as comfortable as he's been all season, if not more so, and never seemed to retreat into that shell we've sometimes seen him in. He made good throws under pressure, on the run, while scrambling--and when those weren't there, he took off running. And he converted third- and fourth-downs with his voice, drawing Indiana offsides and picking up the first.</p>
<p>Donvoan's gameplan made for a more effective run game, just because those handoffs tended to take Indiana off-guard: Nick Scott and Mark Allen didn't quite make anyone forget about Barkley and Lynch, but they ran hard, downfield, and with purpose, and took what was given to them. There was balance, even as Penn State passed more than it rushed.</p>
<p>And what's more, we saw Brandon Polk and DeAndre Thompkins actually get involved in the offense beyond the jet sweeps! Both are football players, not just gadget speedsters (like, say, Devon Smith), and while it's frustrating that it took half the season to incorporate Polk in the passing game, where he caught both targets--a crossing route and a wheel route TD--John Donovan, or James Franklin, who may be taking more of an initiative in the offensive gameplan, proved that he's capable of learning on the job and finding what works. Even Kyle Carter got involved! And there were no new injuries (on Penn State's side)! Adam Breneman didn't play, but suited up for the first time all season and ran through drills! Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt!</p>
<p>Granted, there are still plenty of legitimate gripes. Penn State's offensive struggles coming out of the halftime break suggest an inability to quickly respond to the opponent's adjustments. Hack certainly started feeling the pressure more in that third quarter, as Paris Palmer started to look like the Paris Palmer we saw in Philadelphia. Andrew Nelson's return was key for a thin OL playing without Angelo Mangiro, but Herb Hand, unlike Donovan, doesn't earn a pass this week. Even though Hack wasn't running for his life like he did in the Temple game, and plenty of them were coverage sacks, you're not going to win a lot of games when your QB goes down in the backfield six times. And for all the credit we're giving Donovan, Penn State was still a putrid 3-11 on third down conversions.</p>
<p>And boy, those special teams that looked so good against Rutgers just continued to regress. Joey Julius shanked two extra points in addition to putting a kickoff out of bounds. He, perhaps, just lost his job to Tyler Davis, who made his extra point and a chip shot field goal. What's more, Chris Gulla apparently got hurt at the end of the Army game, so Danny Pasquariello took back the punting job...and promptly reminded us why Gulla usurped him in the first place. Penn State has a top-10 recruiting class in the country, and the two most exciting incoming freshmen are probably Blake Gillikin and Quinn Nordin. Now <i>that</i> is #B1G.</p>
<p>Anyway, given the offensive line's continued struggles, and the still-unsettled injury situation, it would be presumptuous to feel particularly confident about next week's Ohio State game, even as those Buckeyes struggled to put away a miserable Maryland team today. We haven't seen Donovan put together two good gameplans in a row, and Ohio Stadium, under the lights, isn't quite the same as a noontime kick before a friendly, if listless, Homecoming crowd. Early on, too, it was clear that Indiana had spent all its energy on last week's game, one that threatened to be a program-changer. If Penn State was going to lose today, it was only because these Nittany Lions would beat themselves.</p>
<p>But considering how down we were a week ago at this point, how much we thought this was a lost season after barely squeaking by Army (which, as I write this, trails Duke by 41), it's good to be able to look forward to that game, and not already be chalking it up as a loss. The Buckeyes may win--in fact, they probably will--but it won't be another 63-14.</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/10/9493801/on-to-columbus-penn-state-29-indiana-7devon20122015-10-10T14:49:05-04:002015-10-10T14:49:05-04:00Christian Hackenberg With His Second Touchdown Run of the Day!<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/e0jtD1mbn97/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>There goes superman!</p></p></div>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/10/9493871/christian-hackenberg-with-his-second-touchdown-run-of-the-daymisdreavus792015-10-10T14:15:02-04:002015-10-10T14:15:02-04:00Penn State vs Indiana: Fourth Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The end of #puntweek is nigh</p> <p>Will our beloved Nittany Lions emerge victorious? Stay tuned to find out more!</p>
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<p>And stay cool, BSD nation!</p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/10/10/9486455/penn-state-football-indiana-fourth-quarter-open-threadCari Greene