Monday, October 4, 2010

Growing Pains

We all knew coming into this season that it was going to be a rebuilding year and that's exactly what I saw in Iowa City Saturday night...a team that is rebuilding and trying to find an identity. I think they will begin to figure this thing out but I dont know how long it will take. This team just needs to play some football and take some of its learning bumps and bruises as they go and I think they will be fine come 2011 and even 2012 and be the force we are all expecting.

As for the Iowa game...Iowa was and is a better team. They play solid football. Nothing flashy, nothing fancy, just good ol fashioned Big Ten football. Their defense is very good and I think their front four outshadows a secondary that is pretty good as well. I would like to see this Iowa team finally dethrone Ohio State and win the Big Ten so we can stop hearing about Ohio State's "5 straight Big Ten Titles."

That being said, I think our offense moved the ball well (301 total yards) and the play calling, for the most part, was good. Love the call on the goaline. I dont really know why they cant get into the endzone...maybe it is just a funk. Again, we put together a few solid drives and looked good offensively at times. But again, we put too much pressure on the shoulders of a young QB to constantly make big plays in a tough situation late in the game.

Regardless, I'm actually glad that Bolden and this team is getting this road experience against stout defenses in some of the toughest venues in the country. Heading into 2011 and 2012, this will only make him better and immune to it all the surrounding hype.

I dont want to use this as an excuse but the Sunday Patriot-News had this listed in the notes column. The PSU injury list...

  • T Lou Eliades out (knee)
  • RB Brandon Beachum out (knee)
  • LB Gerald Hodges out (leg)
  • TE Andrew Sczerba out (back)
  • WR Curtis Drake out (leg)
  • WR Christian Kuntz out (knee)
  • TE Gary Gilliam left the game in 2nd quarter with an apparant ACL tear
  • Not to mention...Derrick Thomas and Sean Stanley did not make the trip due to undisclosed disciplinary reasons

Imagine what this team will be capable of in the upcoming years when they get some experience and fortunate health?

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