The Penn State Football Show

Hello World! As the newest member of the Penn State Football Show Blog, I would first like to thank the fore-fathers for allowing my insight and opinions on PSU Football....

After watching the Iowa game for a second time, I have concluded that the game came down to two plays...the blocked punt and the Evan Royster fumble. I feel that PSU would have come out of that drive with some type of points and put the game back within one score and excited the defense as well as the deflated Beaver Stadium crowd.

Nevertheless, this was just a typical old-fashioned Big Ten style, battling the elements football game...solid defense and a battle for field position with the hopes of a big special teams play.

Specific Game Thoughts:

• The defense played very well minus Sean Lee. Bowman came out looking like he had not missed a beat. I like the play of the secondary (i.e. Sukay, Stephon Morris, Astorino, etc.). Although I don't think the outcome of the game changes, the absence of Sean Lee was felt. I think he helps get a little more pressure on the QB and aids in some of the run support. I cant want till this whole unit is healthy. PS...This is our secondary FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS!!!
  
• I SPY: Nick Sukay. I like the way this kid is developing as a safety. He is stepping right into the shoes left by Anthony Scirotto and has potential to be even better till its all said and done. He has great closing speed and is doing a good job breaking up balls over the middle and staying stride for stride on any deep threats. PS...I know, I know...I will just pretend like I didn't see you completely miss the block on Adrian Clayborn on the block punt, Nick.


• I like Stephon Morris at corner. He provides good relief for AJ Wallace and Knowledge Timmons, two players who I am still not sure how good they are.


• Not a whole lot of production from the defensive line. Looked like Jack Crawford had trouble getting consistent penetration. Lets not annoint him as the next Aaron Maybin just yet. Production from the DT's was poor too (Odrick-Ogbu-Still combined for 6 tackles). Iowa runs were getting to the second level too easy. This is where #45 would have been effective. PS...Where was Jerome Hayes??? I dont think he recorded a tackle. He needs to get some pressure from that hybrid LB-DE position.


• For the first three games, I thought Collin Wagner was a freshman and was giving him the benefit of the doubt when it came to the "learning and experience curve." But as I was parading through my PSU Media Guide Saturday night, I realized he is a redshirt Jr. I gotta plead ignorance on this one! Either way, not enough leg on a 45-and-change field goal??? Lack of consistency from this position could be a problem as the season progresses.


• Offensively, I thought we moved the ball pretty well between the 20's and aside from the interceptions. The offensive line was generating good push in the run game and it was good to see Royster picking up 7-8-9 yards on carries again.


• In terms of play calling, I would like to see more attempts at getting to ball to Chaz Powell. I think this kid can be the next Derrick Williams in terms of his versatility. Sure, he doesnt have the intelligence or intangibles that D-Will had, but the physical attributes are sure there. Furthermore, we have the personnel to run the "Spread HD" so lets do it. I think the play calling got way too conservative being up only 10-0 and 10-5. I will buy the argument that the weather impeded the passing plays, but cant we still run some reverses, options and screens?


• I would like to see that little play-action/counter/bootleg rollout play at least once per offensive series. You know, that play where Clark play-action/counter fakes and then rolls out on a naked bootleg to the weak side? The weak side TE and underneath crossing WR are ALWAYS open and the play goes for 8-10 each time. Even Morelli had success with this play.


• Derek Moye is a big time receiver. He has hands, speed, and, most of all, size...one thing last year's trio lacked. He has also proven he is willing to go get the ball in traffic. I'm anxious to watch this kid get even better over the next three years


• On another WR note...Did Bret Brackett get moved down to the JV team?


• Running Stephfon Green up the middle is as worthless as a Canadian quarter at a vending machine.


• We need to use Quarless even more...4-5 catches per game.


• Is it just me or does Clark not get enough separation from the line of scrimmage on his three step drops??? It seems like he is constantly throwing with a offensive lineman backing into him while he is standing flat footed. Why don't our QB coaches see this and correct this? And furthermore, why don't they advise him to get out of the pocket sooner? I see times where there is green room in front of him to run 8-10 yards but, instead, he tries to squeeze throws into small windows. We know Clark CAN run and I think he NEEDS to run to avoid some pressure situations when the pocket collapses.
  

In conclusion, I think Penn State is still a good football team. I think Iowa is a good football team. I think those last two sentences make me sound like JoePa in his weekly press conferences. Either way, I think both teams are headed for similar seasons. Both teams will probably lose a game or two that they shouldn't. I don't think Iowa has enough offensive power to dominate anybody and, as a result, will probably lose a few games they same way they beat Penn State. As for Penn State, I would be happy with a 9-3 season but I think that would be an underachievement for this team. I think PSU was and still could be a national contender, as nobody has shown yet that they are capable of going undefeated. I think they can and will be a Big Ten contender, as the Big Ten looks to have about 6 or 7 competitive teams. I just hope that late season showdown with Ohio State still has Big Ten title implications when the time comes...FIGHT ON!