Welcome back everyone! With the regular season now officially over, it's time to get updated with everything that's going on in the world of Penn State football heading into the postseason. We'll start with what I consider to be the biggest news. Right after the Michigan State game, it was announced that much maligned Offensive Coordinator John Donovan had been relieved of his duties. Since then, a search was conducted and concluded with the hiring of Joe Moorhead, the former head coach of FCS Fordham. I actually really like this hire. Moorhead is a Pennsylvania guy who took an 1-11 team and has averaged double-digit wins in the past 3 years along with winning multiple conference titles. And he's done it all with a solid offensive system that *gasp* adjusts to the players he has instead of trying to fit square pegs into round holes. Here's a little bit more from his introductory press conference.
I think you know what the other big story is... it's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas, Bowl Season! This year the Nittany Lions will face off against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Taxslayer.com Bowl (formerly the Gator Bowl) in Jacksonville, FL on January 2nd. Generally, I think this worked out quite well considering Georgia is a better matchup than LSU, and I personally think Jacksonville is a better venue than Nashville (I mean, their stadium has a freakin pool!). This will be the first time since the 1983 Sugar Bowl that these teams have faced off, and the second time ever. You might remember that particular game gave Joe Paterno his first National Championship. Onward State did a brief history of the now infamous game if you're interested. We'll get more into this year's rendition closer to New Year's.
In the meantime, a slew of other bowl games will kick off this Saturday, December 19th. I know it's a short notice, but if you have the time and an ESPN account (they're free), head on over and join this year's Prime Pick Em Challenge! Now, if you've paid attention to this blog the last two years, you'll know that one of my favorite things about bowl season is seeing the list of swag bags handed out to the participating teams. Sure enough, Sports Business Daily compiled this year's list and I'm already super jealous. It looks like Penn State's players will get a Panasonic gift suite and a fossil watch, not bad.
The postseason isn't just bowl season, though, it's also awards season! This year's big winner was, surprise surprise, Carl Nassib. The former walk-on was this season's feel good story as he skyrocketed into the headlines with big hits and a record breaking sack total. As it stands right now, Nassib has officially won 3 major national awards: the Hendricks Award (given to the nation's top DE), the Rotary Lombardi Award (given to the nation's top lineman or LB), and the Lott IMPACT Trophy (given to the defensive IMPACT player of the year). Additionally Nassib has been named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press, SI.com, ESPN.com, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, FWAA, and AFCA. He was also a Second Team selection by USA Today. Speaking of USA Today, they named RB Saquon Barkley to their All-Freshman Team. Similarly, ESPN.com and the Sporting News named Barkley a Freshman All-American. So a big CONGRATULATIONS to both players for all their success!
As long as we're on the subject of congratulating players, I'll send another big one out to Jordan Lucas for his selection to the Senior Bowl. This is arguably the top postseason All-Star game where NFL prospects showcase themselves for scouts. I'm sure a few more Nittany Lions will be invited to these types of games, so we'll discuss that more when it happens.
Today's final bit of news surrounds the ever "polarizing" Christian Hackenberg. It appears that ESPN's resident draft expert, Todd McShay, thinks that the Junior signal-caller would benefit from another year in school, but that he'll probably choose to turn pro... turns out ESPN analyst (and former Washington QB) Brock Huard agrees with that assessment.
Alright, that will do it for today. Since I, like most people, have off on New Year's Day, and I'll be spending the bulk of it watching football, I think that's when I'll write and post my Bowl prediction. So check back then. In the meantime, head on over to my Facebook page and give it a like or even a share. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @PSUOptimus, and as always, go State!
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Week 12 Wrap Up
It was another nasty loss, this time to the #5 team in the nation. Penn State now finishes with a 7-5 record (4-4 in Big Ten), a spot in a lower tier bowl, and the Lions have only beaten one team this season with a winning record (San Diego State). They've also lost control of the state to Temple. So overall, not great, but we did win one more game than last year, so I guess we're trending upwards? The talent is there and more is on the way. I got a little too excited at the beginning of the season and truly believed this was the year we'd break out. It's now looking more and more like the prognosticators were right, though, and next year might be the year we break out, especially considering...
John Donovan has officially been fired as Offensive Coordinator. Yes, the man who can almost single-handedly be given credit for Christian Hackenberg's plummeting draft stock is no longer calling plays in Happy Valley. I doubt you'll find many people outside the Donovan family who are upset with this decision. I honestly didn't realize until now that he was also the TEs coach (that was one of the worst position groups on the team under Donovan after being one of the strengths under Bill O'Brien). Black Shoe Diaries put it best, "Franklin has been fairly clear that he prizes loyalty, but he obviously does not place loyalty above doing your job." I for one, applaud James Franklin for this! In fact, I'm of the opinion that James Franklin is doing a fine job as head coach, a job that entails making those kinds of tough decisions, delegating responsibilities effectively, and handling recruits/players/administration/alumni. Franklin has done well in these endeavors and deserves to stay. The Offensive Coordinator's job, however, is to develop a game plan and handle play calling. John Donovan was terrible at that, so he had to go. I think the general consensus of the fans is, good riddance. And if you don't run in coaching circles (I know I don't), BSD has put together a list of 40 potential candidates.
Now if you want to know what happened in the game you should've watched it. But if you couldn't (I know, Thanksgiving is a thing) then check out recaps here and here. Here are my takeaways:
They dominated us on both lines. Our defensive line couldn't get a push and registered zero sacks without Sickels and Nassib. Credit their o-line for giving Connor Cook and his WRs all day to pick us apart. This meant we couldn't blitz as often since so many guys were in coverage trying to stop the bleeding. Our offensive line was OK in pass protection (Hackenberg's quick passes helped) but couldn't open holes for Barkley. Next season is year 3 for both James Franklin and supposed o-line guru Herb Hand and it's going to be a big one. 3 years is about all you get in the modern world of college football coaching to prove yourself. The staff's first impressive batch of highly touted o-line recruits will be redshirt sophomores next year and should be able to begin competing for starting jobs. The second haul will be redshirt freshman who can serve as reliable backups. remember that only Angelo Mangiro (and possibly Gaia and Dowry) will be leaving, so there are veterans like Andrew Nelson and Brendon Mahon to anchor the unit. If they don't improve dramatically, the whole staff will be on the hot seat.
This game was actually closer than the score made it seem, especially at halftime. Take a look at the 1st half stats:
However, costly mistakes at all the wrong times doomed the Nittany Lions. In the 2nd quarter, the offense was driving and Hackenberg delivered a perfect ball to Kyle Carter who proceeded to fumble it. Michigan State's Demetrius Cox recovered the live ball and wound up on plenty of highlight reels for his spinning TD return. In the 4th quarter, Penn State managed to get within 18 with a Chris Godwin TD (and failed 2 point conversion) and attempted an onsides kick. Of course, it was recovered by MSU who only had to drive 44 yds for the score. Just three plays later, Hackenberg nailed a lineman in the back and the ball bounced right into the hands of Malik McDowell, who took it 13 yds for a score of his own. But it wasn't over. Koa Farmer fumbled the ensuing kickoff at the 9, gifting a short field to the Spartans, who decided to let their fucking CENTER, Jack Allen, score the last points of the game. It was that kind of game.
In college, there are bad teams that you hope to play on Senior Day. You hope this because you want to be able to put your less talented Seniors in the game towards the end and let them have a little glory. Penn State, however, should NEVER be considered the type of team you can do this on. And yet as I mentioned, in the 2nd half, with the game far out of reach, the Spartans put their Senior center in at RB and let him score... scratch that, our guys let him score. It was embarrassing and I hope we never have to watch something like that again (although congrats to that guy for getting his moment in the spot light).
Coaching! It's year 2 for James Franklin, it's year 9 for Mark Dantonio, and that made all the difference. Although there were no end of game mistakes this week, that's only because the game was already so out of hand. There were more ill-advised timeouts because of miscommunication. And then there was the situation early in the game, down 6-0, having just watched Penn State drive the length of the field to the 1 yd line, when the staff decided to settle for a FG. Listen, if you can't make it in fromt he 1, in a game when you're supposed to be pulling out all the stops, just go home.
Chris Godwin and Saquon Barkley will be a lethal yet entertaining duo for years to come, regardless of the QB situation. With the help of a surprisingly aggressive offensive game plan, Godwin (11 catches, 109 yds, 2 TDs) had his best day ever. And thanks in large part to a handful of chunk plays, Barkley finished the day with a respectable 17 carries for 110 yds. He had the tougher hill to climb against a very stout Michigan State front four. Both are still young, so enjoy this ride while it lasts.
Speaking of Barkley, some of the post season awards have started to trickle out and the star RB was named BTN.com's Freshman of the Year, although he was snubbed for the same award by the Big Ten Conference (it went instead to Michigan's Jabrill Peppers). The Conference did, however, award Carl Nassib Defensive Player of the Year, as well as name Nassib, Austin Johnson, and Anthony Zettel to the various All-Defensive Teams. Congrats to all the winners and I'm sure more are on the way!
I did a piece on Christian Hackenberg a few days ago, but I think this one does better justice explaining why every fan should be thankful this young man came to Penn State. On a somewhat related note, the guy thought to be Hackenberg's successor, (but who transferred last year back to Canada) Michael O'Connor, is doing just fine for himself back in his home country. It's very interesting to see the paths these two young men have taken and where each has led them respectively.
Alright, that will do it for today. Check back tomorrow for my last regular season grades post. In the meantime, head on over to my Facebook page and give it a like or even a share. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @PSUOptimus, and as always, go State!
John Donovan has officially been fired as Offensive Coordinator. Yes, the man who can almost single-handedly be given credit for Christian Hackenberg's plummeting draft stock is no longer calling plays in Happy Valley. I doubt you'll find many people outside the Donovan family who are upset with this decision. I honestly didn't realize until now that he was also the TEs coach (that was one of the worst position groups on the team under Donovan after being one of the strengths under Bill O'Brien). Black Shoe Diaries put it best, "Franklin has been fairly clear that he prizes loyalty, but he obviously does not place loyalty above doing your job." I for one, applaud James Franklin for this! In fact, I'm of the opinion that James Franklin is doing a fine job as head coach, a job that entails making those kinds of tough decisions, delegating responsibilities effectively, and handling recruits/players/administration/alumni. Franklin has done well in these endeavors and deserves to stay. The Offensive Coordinator's job, however, is to develop a game plan and handle play calling. John Donovan was terrible at that, so he had to go. I think the general consensus of the fans is, good riddance. And if you don't run in coaching circles (I know I don't), BSD has put together a list of 40 potential candidates.
Now if you want to know what happened in the game you should've watched it. But if you couldn't (I know, Thanksgiving is a thing) then check out recaps here and here. Here are my takeaways:
They dominated us on both lines. Our defensive line couldn't get a push and registered zero sacks without Sickels and Nassib. Credit their o-line for giving Connor Cook and his WRs all day to pick us apart. This meant we couldn't blitz as often since so many guys were in coverage trying to stop the bleeding. Our offensive line was OK in pass protection (Hackenberg's quick passes helped) but couldn't open holes for Barkley. Next season is year 3 for both James Franklin and supposed o-line guru Herb Hand and it's going to be a big one. 3 years is about all you get in the modern world of college football coaching to prove yourself. The staff's first impressive batch of highly touted o-line recruits will be redshirt sophomores next year and should be able to begin competing for starting jobs. The second haul will be redshirt freshman who can serve as reliable backups. remember that only Angelo Mangiro (and possibly Gaia and Dowry) will be leaving, so there are veterans like Andrew Nelson and Brendon Mahon to anchor the unit. If they don't improve dramatically, the whole staff will be on the hot seat.
This game was actually closer than the score made it seem, especially at halftime. Take a look at the 1st half stats:
Hackenberg: 17-27, 166 yds, 1 TD vs Cook: 11-16, 121
yds, 1 TD
Barkley: 10 rushes, 86 yds
Godwin: 8 catches, 85 yds, 1 TD
Total yds: PSU 268 vs MSU 200
Time of Possession: 45 plays (17:41) vs 31 plays (12:19)However, costly mistakes at all the wrong times doomed the Nittany Lions. In the 2nd quarter, the offense was driving and Hackenberg delivered a perfect ball to Kyle Carter who proceeded to fumble it. Michigan State's Demetrius Cox recovered the live ball and wound up on plenty of highlight reels for his spinning TD return. In the 4th quarter, Penn State managed to get within 18 with a Chris Godwin TD (and failed 2 point conversion) and attempted an onsides kick. Of course, it was recovered by MSU who only had to drive 44 yds for the score. Just three plays later, Hackenberg nailed a lineman in the back and the ball bounced right into the hands of Malik McDowell, who took it 13 yds for a score of his own. But it wasn't over. Koa Farmer fumbled the ensuing kickoff at the 9, gifting a short field to the Spartans, who decided to let their fucking CENTER, Jack Allen, score the last points of the game. It was that kind of game.
In college, there are bad teams that you hope to play on Senior Day. You hope this because you want to be able to put your less talented Seniors in the game towards the end and let them have a little glory. Penn State, however, should NEVER be considered the type of team you can do this on. And yet as I mentioned, in the 2nd half, with the game far out of reach, the Spartans put their Senior center in at RB and let him score... scratch that, our guys let him score. It was embarrassing and I hope we never have to watch something like that again (although congrats to that guy for getting his moment in the spot light).
Coaching! It's year 2 for James Franklin, it's year 9 for Mark Dantonio, and that made all the difference. Although there were no end of game mistakes this week, that's only because the game was already so out of hand. There were more ill-advised timeouts because of miscommunication. And then there was the situation early in the game, down 6-0, having just watched Penn State drive the length of the field to the 1 yd line, when the staff decided to settle for a FG. Listen, if you can't make it in fromt he 1, in a game when you're supposed to be pulling out all the stops, just go home.
Chris Godwin and Saquon Barkley will be a lethal yet entertaining duo for years to come, regardless of the QB situation. With the help of a surprisingly aggressive offensive game plan, Godwin (11 catches, 109 yds, 2 TDs) had his best day ever. And thanks in large part to a handful of chunk plays, Barkley finished the day with a respectable 17 carries for 110 yds. He had the tougher hill to climb against a very stout Michigan State front four. Both are still young, so enjoy this ride while it lasts.
Speaking of Barkley, some of the post season awards have started to trickle out and the star RB was named BTN.com's Freshman of the Year, although he was snubbed for the same award by the Big Ten Conference (it went instead to Michigan's Jabrill Peppers). The Conference did, however, award Carl Nassib Defensive Player of the Year, as well as name Nassib, Austin Johnson, and Anthony Zettel to the various All-Defensive Teams. Congrats to all the winners and I'm sure more are on the way!
I did a piece on Christian Hackenberg a few days ago, but I think this one does better justice explaining why every fan should be thankful this young man came to Penn State. On a somewhat related note, the guy thought to be Hackenberg's successor, (but who transferred last year back to Canada) Michael O'Connor, is doing just fine for himself back in his home country. It's very interesting to see the paths these two young men have taken and where each has led them respectively.
Alright, that will do it for today. Check back tomorrow for my last regular season grades post. In the meantime, head on over to my Facebook page and give it a like or even a share. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @PSUOptimus, and as always, go State!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)