Week 7 Awards

It feels like everyone is still talking about the game.  That’s because it was completely insane!  Here’s how loud it got during the White Out in Beaver Stadium:
http://blog.pennlive.com/joehermitt/2013/10/just_how_loud_is_beaver_stadiu.html

And apparently recruits loved the White Out atmosphere too:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1811110-penn-states-win-over-michigan-a-cinderella-story-for-recruiting

So obviously, the bandwagon hoppers in the the previously skeptical press were quick to hand out the compliments.  Allen Robinson’s catch at the 1 yd line in the final drive is still being replayed on SportsCenter, after being named their top play over the weekend.  Bill Belton even got a helmet sticker on ESPN’s Big Ten blog.  The Big Ten Conference named C. J. Olaniyan their Defensive Player of the Week, and Christian Hackenberg their Freshman of the Week (for the 3^rd time!).  Hackenberg was also named  Athlon Sports National Freshman of the Week.  So there’s plenty of awards going around.  But we all know which awards everyone really cares about!

Hmmm, so many to chose from, but I have to give this week’s Beast Mode Award to WR Brandon Mosby?-Felder.  He came back for a mild injury with a vengeance, grabbing 6 catches for 97 yds and 2TDs.  He was also a big part of the final drive to send the game into overtime.  Other candidates were Allen Robinson, because of his heroics on the final drive, and Bill Belton for a brilliant run on 4^th and 1 in overtime followed by the game winning TD.

For the first time ever, my Transformer Award goes to a defensive lineman!  C. J. Olaniyan turned into a tackling machine (see what I did there) against Michigan recording 8 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.  Looks like someone’s giving Deion Barnes a run for his money at the DE position.

Although I was harsh on the secondary in my grades yesterday, this week’s Matrix Award goes to CB Jordan Lucas who had a very respectable 4 tackles.  But it’s his interception, only 2 plays after Hackenberg had also thrown an interception, that seals this award up for him.

There’s always someone who kills it, but doesn’t get the same press as the Christian Hackenbergs of the world.  That’s why I give out the In Disguise Award to guys like TE Jesse James who quietly (despite his hulking 6’ 7” frame) grabbed 6 catches for 67 yds and a TD.  Opponents better watch out for the outlaw!

And finally, this week’s Megatron Award, goes to Michigan’s Devin… Funchess (bet you thought I was going to say Gardner).  Here’s the thing, although Gardner put up big stats against our run defense, his 2 interceptions both lead to Penn State touchdowns, so he wasn’t Penn State’s biggest problem.  That honor goes to Funchess who may have only grabbed 4 passes, but he made them count for 112yds and 2TDs, negating the points Gardner so graciously gave up.  Remember what I said yesterday about things equaling out?

Ok, another successful set of awards.  Check back throughout the bye week as I have some ideas for posts to help you pass the time.  And as always, follow me on Twitter @PSUOptimus for all the latest Penn State football news and notes.