Offense
QB: (Incomplete) Coming into this game, Georgia's pass defense was considered to be the best in the country (at least statistically), and yet Christian Hackenberg torched them early on. At one point, he had 3 consecutive 1st downs to 3 different WRs! Then he got hurt and his backup, Trace McSorely (known more for his running abilities than his powerful arm), stepped in and until the 4th quarter he looked like a redshirt freshman playing his first meaningful collegiate snaps against said pass defense. McSorely found a rhythm in the 4th quarter though, finishing the game 14 of 27 for 142 yds and 2 TDs, managing to put 14 points on the board while putting a scare into the mighty Bulldogs. It's unfair to judge either QB's performance really, so let's just say I wish Hack luck in the NFL, I'm excited about the future of the position, and I'm glad we didn't get blown out like some other Big Ten teams. Moving on...
OL: (C) They didn't look great, particularly in the run game (more on that in a second), but they managed to keep two different QBs' jerseys clean and not allow a single sack against an impressive Bulldog defensive front. That counts for something and is a far cry from the 10 sack performance they let up in the season opener vs Temple. I absolutely love the talent James Franklin has brought in during the past few recruiting cycles, so I'm hoping this group gets a lot better in years to come.
RB: (C-) Yes, I know Saquon Barkley didn't get much help from the O-line, but he didn't get help all year and managed to put up a lot better numbers than he did against Georgia. The coaching staff would eventually try other options as the game went on, but it just wasn't working. Strangely, it was the passing game, against the best secondary in the country, that almost got us a win. And that's all I think really needs to be said.
WR: (A+) Prior to the game, all the focus was on Georgia's top rated pass defense (which I've already mentioned). All that did was make this unit's performance all the more impressive. The top three guys put up the following stats: Chris Godwin 6 catches for 133 yds, DaeSean Hamilton 5 catches for 71 yds and a TD, Geno Lewis 3 catches for 53 yds and a TD. Oh, and NONE of the top 7 (yes, 7!) WRs are graduating. Whoever wins the QB race is going to have more options than they know what to do with, and that can only help a young gunslinger's confidence.
TE: (F) James Franklin does not know how to use TEs. It's just that simple. Maybe with a healthy Adam Breneman this position will get better next year, but I'm starting to doubt that. Only Kyle Carter recorded a catch, for 3 yds, and he's graduating. I miss Bill O'Brien and Jesse James...
Defense
DL: (B+) These guys played well overall, as they have throughout the 2015 campaign. Austin Johnson had 8 tackles, including 2 for a loss and a sack. Garrett Sickels had 5 tackles, including 1 for a loss. Anthony Zettel had 4 tackles, including a sack and a pass breakup. Carl Nassib... did not record a single stat, and honestly, I don't remember him playing except for when he jumped offsides during a FG attempt. This group will experience a massive exodus and I'm not totally sure what it will look like next year. Sickels is the only starter to return, but I have faith in "Coach Chaos" to reload and continue the tradition of great defensive lines at Penn State.
LB: (B+) Brandon Bell led the team with 11 tackles. Jason Cabinda had 8 of his own and finished the year with exactly 100 tackles. Troy Reeder did not play, but his backup Jake Cooper picked up another 6 tackles. This unit has been beat up as much as any other on the team. Like the WR corps, none of them graduate, and Nyeem Wartman-White returns after getting knocked out for the season in the first game of the year. I expect big things from LinebackerU moving forward, but then again, when don't we?
DB: (A-) Grant Haley had 7 tackles, Malik Golden and Marcus Allen each had 6, while Trevor Williams and John Reid picked up 2 tackles a piece. Generally, we don't measure the secondary by tackles, though. Instead, I'll focus on the fact that they held Georgia to only 115 yds passing and in most cases came up with big plays when they needed to. So overall, a decent effort. Like Reeder, senior CB Jordan Lucas did not play after getting knocked out for the season earlier in the year. However, he will represent Penn State at the Senior Bowl in a few months. Both he and Trevor Williams are graduating, but the influx of talent in recent recruiting classes means this group will most likely get even better and possibly be the strength of the defense moving forward.
Special Teams
K: (A-) Joey Julius focused on kick offs, where he wasn't bad (although he completely botched his onsides kick attempt), while Tyler Davis made his only FG attempt of the day from 34 yds out. James Franklin recruited the #1 kicker in the country to come to Penn State next year, and he's got plenty of speedy options in the return game. Special teams shouldn't be a liability for much longer.
P: (A-) Danny Pasquariello had at least one gorgeous punt that landed inside the 5 yd line. Otherwise, he was fine. Just like at kicker, we're getting the best recruit in the nation at this position next year, so the future looks incredibly bright.
Finally, my bonus grade today is simply an A+ for Christian Hackenberg. I've written about him recently, as have countless other talking heads. Hackenberg saved Penn State, plain and simple. He singlehandedly made it OK for highly touted players to make their way to Happy Valley, even in spite of the sanctions. He showed true loyalty, and persevered through seemingly impossible adversity while being viciously and unfairly criticized from all sides and from all corners of the country. He did not have to do any of that, and yet he did. Fuck the stats (although he owns like, every school passing record ever), Christian Hackenberg will go down as the unquestioned greatest QB to ever put on the blue and white. This bonus grade is meaningless, but it's all I can do to say thank you!
Alright, that will do it for today, tomorrow, and well, the entire 2015 season! As it stands right now, I believe I will officially be ending the blog. It was a nice 3 year run, but I need to get some other things in order. However, especially around Signing Day, the NFL Draft, Blue/White, etc I may suddenly have the urge to write again, and who knows, by the start of next season, I might have my personal life figured out enough that I want to start things back up. So please please please, continue to head on over to my Facebook page (where I will continuing posting content) and give it a like or even a share. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @PSUOptimus, and for possibly the last time ever... GO STATE!!!
PEACE!
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