POSTSCRIPT: Penn State 13, Iowa 3 (posted 10.9.11)

The afterglow of yesterday's "much-harder-than-it-had-to-be, but-is-there-any-other-way-PSU-can-win-this-season, or-against-Iowa, ever" win over nemesis Iowa has RFBS ready to hand out some game balls:

Barham, Troutman, Stankiewitch, Pannell, Okoli - Best game of the season for the offensive line, great work in the trenches at crunch time pounding the running game. RBs Silas Redd and Curtis Dukes combined for 37 carries and 202 yards. True, this was against an average Iowa defense, and PSU might face four better defenses the rest of the way (Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin). But it's still an Iowa defense, and it was a strong OL performance overall, and it was essential to the win.


Redd and Dukes - Both looked great, though Redd put the ball on the ground once, and Dukes clearly needs to tighten his grip. Upcoming opponents, especially opportunistic Illinois and Nebraska, will be tugging and slapping at the ball the way Dukes carries it.


Gerald Hodges - In a span of two short games, Hodges has emerged as a pass-rushing force. RFBS noticed it last week vs. Indiana, and it was in full bloom Saturday as PSU blitzed much more than it ordinarily does. This also is an example of resourceful coaching, as the staff recognized Hodges' ability and is utilizing it properly.


Glenn Carson - He had a relatively nondescript game, but his much-publicized "Iowa is a wrestling school, Penn State is a football school'' comment early in the week put the onus on his teammates to step up and win. Which they did. Did Carson's comments really have any impact on the game? Unlikely. But he said it, and they won, so he gets some love.


Adrian Amos - Amazing poise for a true freshman, and apparently an amazing grasp of the defense. There was never a moment where having the true freshman third stringer at CB seemed like a liability.


Matt McGloin - Congratulations Matt! Surely McGloin will be the No. 1 QB the rest of the way. By default. There's no way the coaches can say "both QBs did some good things'' as they always do. McGloin did his usual good and bad (really, REALLY bad on the interception, an OMG-WTF?!?! moment if there ever was). Bolden was just bad. Something's wrong with his confidence, or his mechanics, or both. But he needs to come off the field for the time being.

Khairi Fortt - He rotates in for MLB Glenn Carson with no drop-off, yesterday he also filled in for Nate Stupar at OLB, and he successfully joined Hodges in the blitz packages, netting 1.5 sacks. What's not to love?

The Umpire's right leg/foot - It led to three much-needed points early on, when a wayward Rob Bolden pass (is there any other kind?) ricocheted off it for a completion to Andrew Szczerba, who made an alert, one-handed grab. Thanks for the kick, ump.

Tom Bradley - The DC's D was up to its usual standards: A little soft early (Iowa easily could have had a TD on its second possession), then dominating in the second half, when it allowed 119 yards and no points. Bradley blitzed more than RFBS can recall a PSU defense blitzing. Why? Because he now has the LBs who can do it (namely Hodges), and the experience behind them in the secondary to not yield big plays. Well done, maestro.

Devon Still and Jordan Hill - The DTs combined for 12 tackles. Is there a more productive DT duo in the nation? These guys are everywhere.

Justin Brown and Joe Suhey - Without Brown's full-extension, tiptoe receptions and Suhey's super concentration to haul in tipped/deflected passes, PSU would have had no passing game in the first half.


And, the anti-game ball goes to ...

Red Zone offense - Might be the worst in the nation. Unimaginably unimaginative. Where are the lobs to Moye, or Brown? The run-pass option rollouts? The play-fake passes to the TE? That final one worked like a charm for the game's only TD. What took so long? Announcer Chris Spielman was clamoring for it the entire game.

Final Word: PSU has 859 yards of offense the past two games and just 29 points to show for it. It also has two wins. Thank you, defense.

PSU-Iowa: Live commentary - stream of consciousness

Go Lions!

1st quarter

• 15:00 - If this is JoePa's last season (and RFBS maintains that it is) then it would be nice for him to receive that rarest of gifts, a win over Iowa. Losing 9 of 10 to Iowa is no way for the game's greatest-ever coach to go out.
• 15:00 - So I guess we're delayed because of the OU-Texas game? Crazy - that game was decided hours ago.
• 15:00 - Urban Meyer calling the game. Is he getting a look at his team for next season?
• 14:50 - Iowa going no huddle, hurry-up, shotgun
• 13:30 - Astorino whiffed on tackle that would have gotten 3-and-out, now PSU on heels. Huge play. Kept D on field too long, hurt field position.
• 10:18 - Adrian Amos on the field early.
• 10:12 - Bad field position to start for shaky offense. What will Galen call?
• 9:45 - a 2nd-and-long run call? shocking! Redd popped it nicely for FD.
• 9:25 - Bolden continues to be inept on screen passes.
• 9:00 - Did ESPN really just highlight Devon Smith as an impact player? Geez.
• 7:40 - Suhey great concentration on his two catches 
• 6:30 - deflection off umpire one of luckiest plays ever - it must be our day!
• 5:30 - brutal personal foul penalty by Szczerba. Inexcusable.
• 5:10 - Dukes great complement to Redd. Apparently he's still No. 2 RB over Beachum.
• 3:30 - Another horrendous pass by Bolden. Wow he looks bad. Announcer Chris Spielman ripping him. Said he was awful in practice too.
• 3:26 - Fake FG works? Amazing! No wonder Lewis was in there.
• 2:21 - Meyer says Bolden is so off he (Meyer) wouldn't even throw the ball on 3rd down and goal from 6.
• 2:00 - How about a play-action rollout Galen?  1st, 2nd and 3rd down would have been good to call it.
• 1:36 - getting 3 points in that situation typifies the PSU offense. The football Gods guided PSU to the 8-yard line and the Nits could do nothing from there. Terrible QB play. Bolden has never looked worse in his passing. Time for McGloin. who hopefully is the lesser of two evils today. Bolden used to be so crisp on medium range passes when he had time. What happened?
• 1:00 - sideline guy confirms Amos started, Morris dressed, Lynn out.
• 0:01 - Looks like Glenn Carson's "wrestling school" comments are having an impact on the game. Kidding.
• 0:00 - 3-0 PSU.

2nd quarter

• 14:30 - Iowa nickel-and-dime pass attack effective thus far. Iowa OLs look good at holding on pass protection w/o getting called for it.
• 12:47 - PSU defense not sharp. Now Stupar down.
• 11:52 - lucky break: dropped TD and false start backs up Iowa off goal line.
• 10:51 - Iowa FG good, 3-3.
• 10:51 - PSU defense disappointing so far. Need to tighten up. Historcally, the opposite happens vs. Iowa - things loosen up as game goes along.
• 10:51 - RFBS has never said this before, but we need McGloin the rest of the way. Bolden was awful. The running game and play-action rollouts the key to the PSU offense the rest of the way. Keep the FBs involved.
• 10:40 - Devon Smith drops the kickoff, near turnover. He needs to take a seat on the bench. Wake up, coaches - Smith is not a good football player. Use sparingly.
• 10:40 - McGloin confident right out of the gate. Hopefully not too confident.
• 9:30 - Justin Brown showing off his hands!
• 7:35 - Moye great concentration in traffic. PSU offense continues to live dangerously.
• 7:00 - And that's why Suhey (and Zordich) need to be involved - great catch and run by Suhey, 1st and goal.
• 5:02 - Another missed TD opportunity on 1st-and-goal. It's a pattern destined to cost PSU the game. Inexcusable, especially against mediocre Iowa defense. FG good, 6-3 PSU.
• 4:52 - in every replay of the Iowa OL and PSU DL, you see Iowa OLs holding and not getting called. Sour grapes? Watch it yourself.
• 4:44 - Bradley calls rare blitz, Iowa just misses completion, has to punt. LB Gerald Hodges clearly has a pass rush and blitzing knack.
• 3:10 - Devon Smith on underneath delayed crossing routes - one of the few good ways to use him. Nice gain.
• 2:50 - announcers seem to be confusing bobbled passes that are caught with passes tipped by the defense that are caught. Not the same thing.
• 2:25 - Stephfon Green lives. Catches screen pass for no gain.
• 1:42 - ANOTHER PSU punt into end zone. Been an epidemic this year. Atrocious.
• 0:54 - Very surprised that Iowa w/two TOs and 1:42 left would not try to score considering how effective its short passing game has been. PSU calls TO before 3rd down with 54 secs to go. Oops - ESPN misses 3rd down play while on commercial, Iowa runs on 3rd and 5 and gets first down
• 0:17 - Now Iowa trying to score. Crazy.
• 0:06 - Sack by Khairi Fortt ends half. Nice work by Khairi Fortt to stick with play as Iowa QB Vandenberg scrambld around.

Halftime

• Halftime, 6-3 PSU, no TDs in first half, only 6 possessions total. 
• JoePa asked about red zone offense, says: "We haven't been very effective. That's about the only way to describe it."
• Who will line up at QB for PSU to start second half? So far this season PSU always has gone back to Bolden to star second half. But he was so bad on that looooooooong opening series, the Nits have to go with McGloin. Right?
• PSU to get ball to open second half. Hopefully Devon Smith won't drop the kickoff.

3rd quarter

• And the PSU QB is ... McGloin. They had to.
• No TDs in last seven red zone trips for PSU, announcers say.
• 12:50 - McGloin needs to stop backpedaling while throwing and locking in on his target. PSU punting.
• 12:39 - No problem with Fera hitting that punt into end zone - it went 58 yards.
• 12:30 - Urban Meyer says his wife and Sue Paterno are good friends. More fuel to the Meyer-to-PSU fire.
• 11:53 - Iowa 3-and-out, as Bradley blitzes on 2nd and 3rd and 5. It's the new Tom Bradley. 11 years of sitting back against Iowa didn't work, I guess.
• 11:50 - Bolden again? No. Just stick with McGloin today. Too late, it's Bolden. Bolden gets hit on 3rd down and floats one up, luck not to be picked.
• 10:12 - Nick Sukay had the game-changing play on his fingertips but couldn't scoop up the muffed punt. sigh.
• 10:00 - Meyer says, when the crowd gets loud, "this is how I envision this stadium.'' He's definitely coming next season  :-)
• 7:33 - Incredible - I think they called a hold on Iowa! NOPE, false alarm - illegal hands to the face on a PSU DL. Of course. 
• 6:53 - Drew Astorino declines to make Pick 6 that would have put Nits in driver's seat. Maddening. Subsequent Iowa punt pins PSU on goal line. Like seemingly every loss to Iowa, if this one happens there will be no shortage of "what ifs"
• 6:45 - and now at QB ... McGloin
• 4:00 - McGloin and Redd and the OLine and Dukes into the red zone.
• 2:05 - whatever happened to the high ball to Moye near the end zone???!!!!
• 1:58 - 3rd and 5 from Iowa 6. Galen, whaddya got? Hopefully not another FG. Give Moye a chance.
• 1:42 - McGloin underthrows Moye by 5 yards, and it is intercepted. Absolutely awful QB play. CAN NOT TURN IT OVER THERE! How could McGloin be so careless? He just gave Iowa a shot of adrenaline.
• 0:30 - Looks like 2008 and 2009 all over again ... Iowa crosses midfield as Bradley goes to the blitz too often/again on 3rd down and pays for it. Iowa seeing it coming.
• Three trips to the red zone, three times inside the 10, and 6 points on the scoreboard. Really?!?
• End 3Q - PSU 6, Iowa 3.

4th quarter

• 14:20 - Gerald Hodges is the best blitzer PSU has had in a looooong time.!! Blitz getting better.
• 8:30 - well wasn't that pretty? The OL and RBs pound it down the field for a TD. Only pass of the drive for the TD to Kevin Haplea. Amen! 13-3 PSU
• 9:45 - that was NOT a hold on Michael Zordich, but they called it (and another hold on the OL on the same play that we couldn't see, didn't have a good reply on that) to negate Redd's initial TD run. Great to see PSU overcome that adversity. Especially after the nightmare-inducing McGloin int. the last time in the red zone.
• 6:53 - Malcolm Willis, who has been in on the nickel package all day, jumps the route on 4th down at midfield and picks off Vandenberg. Can PSU run out the clock ....
• 4:32 - Of course not. Lions punt, keep the defense under duress. This isn't over yet. Iowa has three timeouts and plenty of time.
• 3:42 - Stupar tips it, Sukay picks it, The Curse is dead!
• 3:18 - FERA! PLEASE STOP PUNTING INTO THE END ZONE! ... and the curse hangs on to a few final breaths.
• 3:00 - only at PSU does the defense have to finish off the win on four possessions. But they're doing it.
• Love for the defense! The Iowa Curse is Dead! PSU wins 13-3.
• 13-3? Sounds like a wrestling score ... :-)

PREVIEW: Oct. 8 - Iowa at Penn State (posted 10.6.11)

PSU Football 2011 - Oct. 8 - Iowa (3-1, 0-0) at Penn State (4-1, 1-0)

How do you take your tough losses? Because Iowa has served them up to Penn State in just about every way imaginable this century - agitating, crushing, inexplicable, etc.:

• Miserable, time-warped offense? See Iowa's 6-4 win in Happy Valley in 2004.
• Shortcomings in game management, special teams and toughness? See Iowa's 21-10 road win in 2009.
• Inability to get over the hump to greatness? See Iowa's devastating, last-play 24-23 upset of unbeaten, 9-0, No. 3-ranked PSU in Iowa City in 2008.
• Can't finish the job? The Hawkeyes' 42-35 OT win in 2002 negated a 22-point PSU comeback.
• Can't score vs. good defenses on the road? See last season's 24-3 result in Iowa City.
• Stumbling as a huge favorite? The Lions were -17 in Vegas when they fell 26-23 in OT at Beaver Stadium in 2000.

Yes, no opponent has bristled PSU like the Hawkeyes, winners of 8 of 9 against Penn State (the Lions won 27-7 in 2007).

PSU might be a superior program to Iowa  - the Lions are five games better in Big Ten play the past five years. Yet Iowa holds a 3-1 head-to-head edge in that span.

A win Saturday in State College pushes those memories to the recesses. Much like the streak-busting win over Michigan in 2008 numbed the pain of a decade of Wolverines domination.

This has the earmarks of a bellwether game. The one that will be looked back on as a springboard to success, or another step backward toward mediocrity.

WORDS: Providing bulletin board material during game week is a potentially foolish thing. But PSU LB Glenn Carson's much-publicized commentary (ESPN has eaten it up) this week doesn't meet the criteria. Carson said: "Iowa's a wrestling school and Penn State's a football school. So we've got to take it to them,'' which, first of all, is completely accurate: Iowa is a wrestling school. It is the premier wrestling school, the most historic wrestling school in the nation (23 national championships), which surely everyone on Iowa's campus is keenly aware of. So the Iowa football team is supposed to be insulted, or motivated, by that? Second, what sort of bad karma kibosh can Carson possibly inflict on PSU? Iowa is dominating this series. Being called a wrestling school is supposed to give Iowa an extra edge? Hardly. By the way, lost in this much-ado-about-little, the-media-are-reaching-for-another-angle-on-this-one hullabaloo, is the fact the Penn State is the defending national champion in wrestling.

THE REAL MEANING: Carson has called out his team. Or at least the defense, which he sits at the center of. Last year's performance at Iowa was unacceptable. Carson knows it and is publicly acknowledging it, putting the PSU defense in the crosshairs and demanding a better performance.

BYE BYE: Iowa had a bye last week, which is much better news for the Hawkeyes than anything coming out of Carson's mouth, as it provides extra rest/recuperation and preparation time.

WHO ARE THESE GUYS?: Iowa OT Riley Reiff is rated the No. 8 overall NFL prospect for 2012 by Mel Kiper Jr. WR Marvin McNutt is third in the Big Ten in both receptions (6.2) and receiving yards (103.2) per game. RB Marcus Coker is fifth in the league in rushing yards per game (95.0). Junior QB James Vandenberg, in his first year as a starter taking over for 5th round draft pick Ricky Stanzi, is second in the league in passing yards per game (273.8) and passing TDs (10). DBs Micah Hyde (two interceptions) and Shaun Prater (two forced fumbles) are big-play guys, and sophomore LB James Morris leads the Big Ten in tackles per game (10.0).

AND WHAT HAVE THEY DONE: Iowa defeated Tennessee Tech 34-7; lost at Iowa State in triple OT 44-41; defeated Pitt 31-27 with a big late rally; and beat Louisiana-Monroe 45-17 before having a bye last week.

OFFENSIVE OPTIMISM? When an offensively challenged team meets a defense that historically keeps it out of the end zone, the math is not in your favor. But this is not a vintage Iowa defense. It lost three draft choices off the defensive line. It ranks 11th in the Big Ten in third-down defense and pass defense, and 10th in first downs allowed and pass efficiency defense. PSU, despite its offensive struggles, should be able to garner 300 yards and 20 points. Should.

NOT DIVISIONAL: The Hawkeyes are "Legends," the Lions are "Leaders.'' So this game will jump on and off the schedule in coming years.

FRIENDLY CONFINES, FOR NOW: Iowa is leaving the state for the first time this season and playing its first conference game. Attendance has been down in Beaver Stadium (which is something that bears watching; the University depends on revenue from sold out Beaver Stadium) and Black Shoe Diaries and other media outlets are reporting a very tepid secondary ticket market this Saturday. Nevertheless, a full house of strong-throated support likely awaits. How long will it last? If the Lions get off to a slow start - and who would be surprised if that happens? - the crowd will get frustrated quickly.

CORNERED: Joe Paterno indicated earlier this week that CB D'Anton Lynn (head) likely would miss a second straight game. Replacement Stephon Morris (foot) might not play also. So true freshman Adrian Amos, who has been impressive, might get the biggest challenge of his career Saturday. Expect Iowa to be more adept than Indiana was at trying to attack Amos.

THE RANKINGS: The Massey Ratings, a composite ranking of dozens of computer rankings and polls, has PSU No. 30 and Iowa No. 37.

VEGAS SAYS: Depending on when and where you checked the line, PSU is favored by 1.5 to 3.5 points. The over-under of 45 probably seems high to PSU fans.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Fundamental football will erase the past vs. Iowa and give PSU a win. Run the ball with at least modest success (4 yards a carry, more than 125 total rushing yards) on offense, minimize negative plays and match Iowa in special teams (i.e. no blocked punts returned for TD a la 2009). The defense has to continue its string of impressive early season performances against one of the better offenses in the Big Ten, and tie or win the turnover battle. And the Lions must exhibit the toughness they've lacked in recent Iowa matchups. PSU will face adversity and have to make plays well into the fourth quarter, much like the Temple game. Can this team do those things against its nemesis?

It's not just Linebacker U (posted 10.5.11)

It's not just Linebacker U anymore
PSU is producing reams of top shelf defensive linemen. And linebackers too, of course

The NFL defensive leaderboard was flush with former Nittany Lions last season.

• No. 2 in the NFL in sacks in 2010? Former PSU DE Tamba Hali with the Chiefs (14.5 sacks). 
• No. 3 in sacks? Former PSU LB Cameron Wake with the Dolphins (14).
• No. 3 in the NFL in tackles last season, despite missing two games with injury? Former Lion LB Paul Posluszny with the Bills (now Jaguars)

Wake (who was known as Derek Wake at PSU from 2000-04), Hali and Posluszny are part of a wave of PSU defensive lineman and linebackers succeeding in the NFL.

Since the 2002 season it has been quite a roll call. In the spring of 2003, defensive tackles Jimmy Kennedy (1st round) and Anthony Adams (2nd round) were drafted. After nine seasons, both are still collecting a paycheck in the NFL. (DE Michael Haynes was a first-round pick in 2003 but only had a brief career.)

Many PSU DLs and LBs have followed them into the NFL, with several achieving excellence. Can any school stack up with the Lions current NFL crop of front seven alums? It's enough to make an impressive starting lineup.

The PSU/NFL front seven lineup:
DE - Cameron Wake, Miami (2010 Pro Bowl selection)
DT - Anthony Adams, Chicago (started all 16 games for the Bears in 2010)
DT - Jared Odrick, Miami (2010 1st-round pick injured last season, has two starts this year and an interception of Tom Brady)
DE - Tamba Hali, Kansas City (2010 AFC sack leader has four sacks this season)
LB - Sean Lee, Dallas (NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September is budding superstar)
LB - Paul Posluszny, Jacksonville (signed with Jags this offseason; had 13 tackles last week)
LB - NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco (second-year pro is having breakout season, leads 'Niners with 36 tackles)

If we opt for a 3-4 defense, Hali can shift to LB (which he plays now in a 3-4), Odrick can play DT or DE, or Dan Connor could be added at LB.

The reserves would include:
DE - Aaron Maybin, N.Y. Jets (Bills 2009 1st round flop had first career sack and forced fumble last week and is still only 23)
DT - Jimmy Kennedy, N.Y. Giants (Giants are his fifth team in nine seasons)
DT - Jay Alford, FA (cut by Seattle, played last season in Oakland; as a rookie had critical late sack of Tom Brady in Giants Jan. 2008 Super Bowl win)
DT - Scott Paxson, Cleveland (finally getting playing time in 6th NFL season)
LB - Dan Connor, Carolina (starting LB for Panthers, second on team in tackles)
LB - Tim Shaw, Tennessee (reserve has played in every game for Titans past two seasons)
LB - Josh Hull, St. Louis (reserve has played in Rams first four games this season)

Also, PSU rookie DT Ollie Ogbu is on the Colts practice squad; PSU transfer Phillip Taylor (Baylor) is a rookie starter at DT for the Browns; and PSU transfer Chris Baker (Hampton) is on the Redskins practice squad listed as a 329-pound DE.

Wake is among the most interesting PSU products. He was undrafted in 2005 after an injury plagued career as a PSU linebacker distinguished by his ability to leap extremely high and block kicks. Signed but then cut by the Giants, he became a star defensive end in the Canadian Football League in 2007-08. Signed by the Dolphins in 2009, Wake emerged last season as a fierce pass rusher, making the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro.

So who is next in line to keep the tradition going?

DT Devon Still has been exceptional this season and is a likely early round NFL draft pick this spring.

DE Jack Crawford hasn't been very productive at PSU, but his size/speed combination likely will get him drafted this spring.

The Lions also have a bevy of linebackers who could get drafted down the road, notably Gerald Hodges and Mike Mauti (presuming he makes another strong recuperation from a torn knee ligament), who should be on NFL draft boards in 2013, along with DT Jordan Hill and perhaps DE Sean Stanley.

Paging Kevin Newsome, paging Kevin Newsome ... (posted 10.5.11)

Paging Kevin Newsome
The Penn State offensive coaches would like to apologize, and beg you to return (actually they probably would never do that, but they should consider it)


What might have been ...

Vince Young lite. A poor man's Tim Tebow. That was the hope, the belief, for Kevin Newsome. Just a little more than a year ago, that was his destiny at Penn State.

He was a quarterback who ran like a tailback. When the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Newsome turned upfield and hit the hole he could carry tacklers with him. He was adept handling the ball, such that operating some sort of spread option, a la Florida under Tebow, seemed possible.

It would be similar to the Michael Robinson-led PSU attack of '05, with a little tweaking. With Newsome's inexperience and limited throwing ability, it might have taken the 2010 season to get fully up to speed. But by 2011 and 2012, it would be rolling. All it would take was ...

Alas, the coaches elected not to tweak the system to suit Newsome. The great four-way QB competition of 2010 - which Newsome entered as the favorite - went to true freshman Rob Bolden. This essentially was the beginning of the end for Newsome.

Few seemed distraught by this. Though Bolden had just stepped on campus, he was a highly regarded recruit with a fabulous release. There might be growing pains, but the future of the Penn State offense shimmered in the reflection off Bolden's golden right arm.

Thirteen months later we all know how that has turned out. The McBolden debacle is a weekly soap opera. And Newsome is gone. He transferred after holding on as long as he could, two full years at PSU.

But what if Newsome had gotten the call for the 2010 season? The hindsight game is a tricky one. Few second-guessed the Bolden decision then, though RFBS felt remorse at not being able to see what Newsome would do.

Assuming Newsome stayed healthy as the No. 1 QB, he would have committed a lot of turnovers last season - both fumbles and interceptions - and PSU probably would have finished with a similar record. 7-5 sounds right. Perhaps the bowl game would have turned out differently, as Florida was ripe for the taking except Matt McGloin kept throwing interceptions.

This season? Things would be clicking. The Lions probably would still be 4-1, but Newsome and RB Silas Redd would be piling up the yards. The offense would have a clearer identity, more purpose and cohesion. The close wins over Indiana and Temple would have been more comfortable. Newsome to WR Derek Moye would be an inceasingly effective passing connection.

Off the field, Bolden would be long gone from Penn State. He almost transferred after last season when he didn't get a shot in the Outback Bowl as Matt McGloin was throwing five interceptions.

McGloin would still be an anonymous backup former walk-on. His alleged moxie would remain a largely unknown commodity.

Newsome would have one more year next season. He would depart PSU considered largely successful individually after a rough sophomore season, perhaps on par with the legacy of Darryl Clark.

He also would have been the final quarterback of the Joe Paterno era.

What might have been ...

Bigger would be better for 2011 Lions (posted 10.4.11)

Why Go Small When You Can Go Big?
Bigger would be better (in this instance), and skill trumps speed


Deon Butler, Derrick Williams and Jordan Norwood did something amazing for Penn State football. The Holy Trio of small and swift receivers breathed new life into the PSU offense from 2005-2008. Ultimately, they helped the Lions to two Big Ten titles and BCS berths. PSU was 40-11 in their four seasons.

Unfortunately, the Holy Trio also might be responsible for the coaching staff's misguided infatuation with small and swift WR Devon Smith. What else could explain it?

Since his true freshman season of 2009 when he was on the kickoff return team from the get-go, the coaching staff has force-fed Smith into the gameplan, with little success. Smith, a 5-foot-7, 150-pound junior, should be utilized like a pungent spice - rarely. Moo-moo (his nickname) should be a no-no most of the time-time.

The lingering warm-fuzzy memories of the Holy Trio could be clouding the coaches' judgment of Smith. Because he pales compared with each of them.

Norwood had some of the best hands on the planet. Anyone who watched him calmly catch lightning-speed, rapid-fire passes launched from machines in a gimmicky, made-for-TV competition for possible NFL draft picks in the spring of 2009 can attest to his preternatural ball skills. (Or, of course, if you watched him play actual football for PSU.)

Williams, while relatively small, still had about 45 pounds on the feathery Smith, so he could break some tackles, and he had a knack for making the quick cut at the right time.

Butler had an amazing ability to smoothly adjust to the ball in the air.

All three, despite an average size of about 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, have been on NFL rosters.

Smith, unfortunately, has none of those skills. Just the small size and speed.

• Williams' cutting ability? Nope. Michael Zordich's reaction said it all when Smith misread a reverse during Penn State's slugfest with Temple on Sept. 17. Zordich, the fullback, blocked the outside defender. The space was cleared for Smith to dash around Zordich and turn the corner for a nice gain. But Smith cut inside the block and was flattened. Zordich glanced at Smith on his backside, and his body language screamed "what the heck happened!?!" Against Alabama, Smith also failed to read his blocking properly on a reverse, took a big hit and fumbled. As far as breaking tackles goes, Smith tackles himself more often, his feet scurrying along cartoonishly, faster than his mind/body can keep up.
• Butler's ability to adjust to the ball? Sure, the current crop of PSU QBs can be inaccurate, but Smith isn't helping them out. Passes seem to land near him a lot.
• Norwood's hands? If it doesn't hit Smith in the belly, he may not catch it. The opening play against Alabama was tremendously deflating. Instead of running through Rob Bolden's beautiful deep ball to make the catch and possibly continuing on for a touchdown, Smith opted for the safer route and dove. Which was okay - as long as he corralled the ball, it was going to be a 40-yard gain. It skipped right through his hands. Huge opportunity missed.

Also don't underestimate the value of blocking for a WR. On at least half of all plays, WR blocking can be critical to the play. At 150 pounds with a propensity for falling down, Smith is an ineffective blocker.

So, Smith should be used very sparingly. An occasional crossing route, such as the one that led to his 71-yard TD vs. Eastern Michigan. An occasional comeback pass, after he has driven the DB several yards off of him. Perhaps on a reverse on a kickoff. Maybe a deep ball - if he shows he can catch such throws in practice.

Perhaps if Smith is only on the field for a few plays a half, he can occupy attention, or sneak over the middle on a crossing pattern. But when he's on the field regularly, the defense quickly figures out his limitations and can defend him.

But targeting him on slants near the goal line, as PSU did vs. Indiana? Good God No!

Less of Smith means more of Shawney Kersey and Curtis Drake. In limited action the 6-foot-1 Kersey has shown nearly the speed of Smith and much more skill - he has demonstrated noticeably superior receiving ability in fewer opportunities - along with more size to make him a bigger target. The redshirt sophomore is ripe for a bigger role, complementing Nos. 1 and 2 receivers Derek Moye and Justin Brown.

The 5-foot-10 Drake, also a redshirt sophomore, is still recuperating from injury and isn't ready for full-time duty. But he has shown the wherewithal to run reverses and play the slot receiver with aplomb. There is an increased role for him in Smith's place.

Smith's best contribution to PSU football might have been his inspiring The Onion to write the following "story," after Smith's preseason collision with Joe Paterno on the practice field put venerable JoePa on the disabled list: http://www.theonion.com/articles/penn-state-players-all-worried-theyre-going-to-be,21120/

(Onion excerpt: “At this point, it’s part of the Happy Valley tradition," (Jack) Crawford added. "No names on the jerseys, ringing the victory bell, and being very, very careful not to be the reason Coach Paterno dies.")

Smith is very fast but football is a game of skill, and speed is only one component of a receiver's skill set. Unlike the diminutive Holy Trio, Smith simply doesn't have the other skills to justify his playing time and involvement in the PSU offense.

JoePa, Galen, JayPa, Mike - bigger is better for the 2011 Lions.

POSTSCRIPT: PSU 16, Indiana 10 (posted 10.2.11)

Penn State (4-1) 16, Indiana (1-4) 10

There has been a paradigm shift in the world of PSU football fandom. Please adjust accordingly to the new reality:

• Any offensive point productivity is a bonus.
• A possession that does not end in a loss of yards or a turnover is successful
• A possession that does not completely lose all hope because of one penalty is successful
• A punt that isn't blasted into the end zone is a successful conclusion to a successful possession
• It doesn't matter who is at quarterback, the play calling will be bafflingly predictable and the quarterback will make several bad throws

And now things aren't so bad, right? From this new perspective, heck, Saturday's 16-10 win at Indiana - PSU is now 15-0 vs. the Hoosiers - was aw-shucks pretty good, a nice grind-it-out conference road win. 

Back to the real world, sugar-coating removed. The PSU offense is a wretched, downward-spiraling disgrace. The quarterbacks are regressing (as hard as that is to believe), and the play-calling shows no confidence (how many times can a team run the ball on second-and-long?!?). And now it's almost costing the team wins against bad teams. Even by Indiana's standards, this is not a good Indiana team

This game proved, if nothing else, the 2011 Penn State offense can grind itself to a halt against any defense in the country. Seven years after the offensive apocalypse of 2004, PSU appears headed back there again.

IT'S THE QUARTERBACKS, STUPID: Yes the offensive line is average and RB Silas Redd fumbled away a likely TD opportunity at the 1-yard line and the Lions had several other ill-timed gaffes. But there is nothing more important in college football than quarterback play. And the biggest mistake for PSU this season is the QB situation - it's the 800-lbs gorilla in the room. And that mistake is on the coaches. Perhaps some players could thrive in a two-headed rotating QB competition such as PSU has immersed Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin. But clearly Bolden and McGloin are not such players. They both are playing worse than last season, when they had no experience. And the trickle down effect is tangible, as the play-calling and decision-making scream "we have no confidence in our QBs,'' who then in turn play with even less confidence, until the whole thing collapses on itself. PSU needs to pick a QB and move on. This is of course pretty much the same thing as has been said in this blog (RFBS) and elsewhere for awhile (wash, rinse, repeat next week). It is killing the offense and killing the team and will kill the season.

BAD, BAD, BAD: There is no solace in the 464 yards PSU gained. The Lions scored just 16 points. Against Indiana. The same Indiana team that yielded 24 points last week to North Texas - in the first half. PSU had three in the first half yesterday. IU has surrendered 34 points to Virginia and 20 to FCS South Carolina State. Did anyone notice Ball State lost 62-3 to Oklahoma yesterday? Well, Ball State beat Indiana 27-20. And PSU mustered sixteen measly points against this team.

SAME GUYS, DIFFERENT RESULT: PSU had a truly great offense in 2008, a good one in 2005, a decent one in 2007 and 2009, and not bad in 2006. All with the same offensive coaching staff the Lions have today. Go figure.

OLD RELIABLE: Spearheaded by the continued superlative play of DTs Devon Still (2 TFL, 1 FR) and Jordan Hill (3 TFL, 1 sack), the PSU defense yielded 79 yards combined in the second and third quarters and saved the Lions from the humiliation of a loss to Indiana. 

BEGINNING OF THE TORMENT: Bolden made his fifth straight start, and though he was shaky on the opening possession, he zinged two completions on third downs to keep the drive moving, and Redd's nifty 8-yard TD run put PSU ahead 7-0 ... wait. A very questionable holding call nullified the TD run. On the next play Bolden made a bad pass to TE Andrew Szczerba, which Szczerba tipped and was intercepted. It signaled the beginning of an excruciating day for the offense, which shows no ability to recover from any setbacks.

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS: Gifted the ball at the IU 13-yard line by an early second-half turnover, the Lions gained three yards on three plays and kicked a 27-yard field goal. That sequence was the ballgame in a nutshell.

BUTTERFINGERS: On IU's final drive of the game with PSU clinging to the 16-10 lead, more PSU defenders - at least five - got their hands on passes from IU quarterback Dusty Kiel than did Hoosiers receivers. Unfortunately, none could hold onto the ball. And following a few fortunate fourth-down conversions, IU actually had a legitimate chance at a Hail Mary pass for the win. Fortunately, Kiel didn't reach the end zone, because two PSU defenders collided while trying to catch it - instead of simply knocking it down - and it deflected off of them to an Indiana receiver who nearly made the catch but would have been several yards shy of the goal line. 

WHY BOTHER PUNTING: With 2:12 to go in the game and PSU protecting the 16-10 lead, the Lions had a 4th-and-2 at the Indiana 39. It was a little bit too far out to try a clinching FG. With little confidence in the offense (no confidence?), PSU opted to punt. Anthony Fera blasted it straight into the end zone for a net 18-yard punt. He did the same thing from the IU 38 earlier in the game. If Fera can't do better than that, somewhere on the University Park campus amongst the 40,000-plus students with athletic eligibility there has to be someone who can punt a football 30 yards out of bounds. 

ON THE OTHER HAND: Without Fera's steady leg on his three short field goals (20, 27 and 33), PSU would have had even fewer points. Fera missed a 52-yard try just before the half.

IN AND OUT AND IN: Defensive backs Nick Sukay and Stephon Morris both briefly left the game with injuries before returning. However Morris later left the game again in the third quarter and didn't return, possibly with an ankle injury. Morris had been playing very well in  his first start of the season in place of injured starting CB D'Anton Lynn.

NOT THIS FRESHMAN: True freshman Adrian Amos replaced Morris and surely the IU offensive coaches figured he could be a weak link to attack. But Amos was up to the challenge and was not to blame for IU's late success moving the ball, when it frantically was trying to come back.

GOOD, NOT GREAT: PSU will miss the dynamic play of OLB Michael Mauti, who is out for the season after sustaining a knee injury last week. His replacement, Nate Stupar, is good. But Mauti was borderline great and an emerging force. The defense won't quite be the same without him.

BRIGHT LIGHTS: Redd had 129 tough yards on 29 carries. WR Derek Moye had 6 receptions for 158 yards, including a 74-yard TD pass from McGloin. Sadly, both players' stellar performances this season appear destined to be overshadowed by the overall ineptitude of the offense.

DIM LIGHTS: The 6-foot-5 Moye is a superb target near the goal line. Yet yesterday, PSU inexplicably opted for 5-foot-7 Devon Smith more often. Twice near the goal line, PSU tried to connect on variations of slant passes to Smith. Not surprisingly, neither one came close to connecting, as getting a pass to such a small target so close to the ground just a few feet behind the defensive line proved impossible, especially without the threat of the speedy Smith going deep. A lob to a double-teamed Moye would be a much better option.

COMING ON: Junior OLB Gerald Hodges (team-high 11 tackles) and junior DE Sean Stanley (5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 pass defensed) are emerging as top-flight players and quality pass rushers. Hodges needs to be turned loose on the quarterback more often.

FINAL WORD: How did the PSU offense manage to get this bad? The players and the coaches both must bear responsibility. RFBS will take a closer look at the problems and possible resolutions during the week.

The Lions host Iowa this Saturday. Memories of the 6-4 PSU-Iowa "classic" in 2004 will be fresh in the air the way things are going.