The Penn State Football Show

I think this was a classic game of the Joe Paterno Penn State football philosophy...attempt to wear the other guy down and eventually he will collapse. Contrary to what JoePa might tell us, Illinois is NOT a good football team. They have a very soft defense and an offense with weapons that have been downgraded to non-destructive. If Iowa is the team that could be a sleeper in the Big Ten, Illinois is the exact opposite. Ron Zook may be a great recruiter, but having a suave sales pitch doesn't necessarily equivilate to winning football games. Juice Williams seems to have regressed since last year and the other skilled players have not reached their full potential. This team may be the biggest disappointment in the Big Ten.

Regardless, Penn State did what it needed to do in a game which could have turned out to be problematic, coming off such an emotional home loss. This game was far from a flat-out domination by PSU but, like Lou Holtz says, "You don't have to be the best team in the country each week...You just have to be the best team in the stadium!" (I'm not really sure how to emphasize the lisp). I think this was a test of fortitude and character for this PSU team and it passed with flying colors. In the end, the Iowa game may be a much needed reality check for this PSU team who may have been guilty of buying into its own hype.

Again, the defense played very well, really only allowing 10 points. The offense, although it took a while to get going, played well and I think the Offensive Line is beginning to gel. If anything, this game showed that Penn State is a very dynamic football team that can put up points. Let's not lose sight of the fact that this was a road win against a team that we all thought could possibly beat PSU.

Specific Game Thoughts:

• The entire rushing attack looked solid (Royster-Clark-Green-Carter combined for 338 yards). The O-Line was getting good push and getting to the second level well. I don't fully know whether this is a result of a weak Illinois defense or a stronger PSU O-Line but either way, they looked less confused by the schemes. It was good to see Stephfon Green run like he did. I think he made some good cuts and showed some toughness after initial contact. Maybe his best performance as a Lion thus far. It's also good to see the two-headed monster back at TB (Royster and Green). PS...I like the QB draw calls, but Clark still needs to tuck and run more on his own.
• Can someone explain how "Coaches Challenges" work in College Football??? Why did we waste a timeout on the Zug catch/no-catch (which WAS a catch) by CHALLENGING it? Wouldn't that play have been reviewed from upstairs eventually before the next snap? How does this work? I didn't even know there were "Coaches Challenges"
• Jeremy Boone is a Master of his trade! Two punts inside the 5 and an average of 50 yds per punt. As bad as the special teams can be at times, Boone's leg will be one of the defense's best friends. Hopefully, Boone will end his career with only one blocked punt.
• Stephon Morris continues to be playing more and more at corner, especially in 3rd down situations, which means the coaches must like his coverage ability. I almost thought he was going to take that INT to the house right before half. Great instincts by the true Frosh...I like how he saw some running room and took off down field. I think a lot of players would take a knee or run out of bounds in that situation and be happy going into halftime up 7-3. Furthermore, Morris and D'Anton Lynn (#8) seem to be solid corners who like to hit, tackle, and wrap-up in the open field. Wish I could say the same about #1 and #4.
• Great to see the production from the TE's (Quarless and Shuler combined for 8 catches). Several of these catches were clutch 3rd down plays that kept the offense on the field. I like these guys as Clark's safety nets. This type of production should open things up down field and give Moye-Zug-Powell occasional 1-on-1 match-ups.
• I still cringe every time Royster fields punts.
• Sean Lee might as well take another week off. We will need him for Minnesota and, especially, Michigan. Lee-Hull-Bowman, when healthy, might be the best LB corp in the country and will be nasty against the rushing attacks of Michigan and Ohio State.
• Juice Williams might run the QB read-option better than anybody in the Big Ten and maybe the country. Maybe Daryll Clark should give him another call this week and get some pointers...
• I SPY...Eric Lattimore (DE #56). This kid seems to be getting more time at the DE position opposite Jack Crawford and is creating difficulties for opposing Offensive Tackles. He was in Illinois' backfield often (2 tackles for loss and 1 sack) and will be an important factor on the D-Line as it looks like Jerome Hayes is not getting as much time as anticipated.
• I love the white uni's! But I will let Ryan get the ball rolling on the game aesthetics...

Drew...I will be pulling into the Beaver Stadium parking lot sometime Friday morning of the Ohio State game in a fully stocked RV. Feel free to stop by and enjoy some beverages with me and my entourage!