Official ‘26 PSU - Northwestern game thread

[Nitt1300]

Or there’s cash money that not enough want to give. Just by sheer numbers, there should be enough Penn Staters to bump up the cash money. We don’t all work at McDonald’s.

I still think that a lot of older Penn Staters with cash money feel disconnected with the school over the JoePa fiasco. Plus, I think many of those older Penn Staters don’t see big NIL. (hired mercenaries) as the Penn State Way.

Then again, I’m not very smart.

you're not wrong

 

[Ram20]

Based on what we witnessed last night, the only option is a tremendous influx of high level talent across the board into this program. We are so far from good players that need to be "coached up" to compete. Now how does the school attract talent and where does the money come from? I have no idea, but im sure Krafty will get to the bottom of it!

 

[m.knox]

Or there’s cash money that not enough want to give. Just by sheer numbers, there should be enough Penn Staters to bump up the cash money. We don’t all work at McDonald’s.

I still think that a lot of older Penn Staters with cash money feel disconnected with the school over the JoePa fiasco. Plus, I think many of those older Penn Staters don’t see big NIL. (hired mercenaries) as the Penn State Way.

Then again, I’m not very smart.

I think you are on to something. There have been several comments about not filling up the stadium. Things are so different now. Not just with the ISU Nittany Lions, but with the NIL crap. The sense of loyalty to the kids and team is different. This "show me the love" from a 20 year old is off putting to be honest. That said, if that were the case, you'd like other fan bases we have the same experience.

 

[Midnighter]

 

[PAgeologist]

I think you are on to something. There have been several comments about not filling up the stadium. Things are so different now. Not just with the ISU Nittany Lions, but with the NIL crap. The sense of loyalty to the kids and team is different. This "show me the love" from a 20 year old is off putting to be honest. That said, if that were the case, you'd like other fan bases we have the same experience.

Attendance next week will be very interesting. Although its supposed to be 72 and sunny. That might bring more people out.

Very concerning to me is this team just is not competitive. And it looks like they have no interest in being competitive. The Dark Years teams played their balls off. They just weren't good enough. This team feels like they dont care.

 

[KingLando]

it's going to take money that we don't have

We have the money...we have tons of money. And tons we held on to this year to spend in future years. You don't spend to say you spent.

 

[Ludd]

We have the money...we have tons of money. And tons we held on to this year to spend in future years. You don't spend to say you spent.

Apparently we shopped for players at the Dollar Store. Maybe we can upgrade to Wal Mart.

 

[KingLando]

Apparently we shopped for players at the Dollar Store. Maybe we can upgrade to Wal Mart.

Honestly, were you surprised by what happened last night? We all should know where we're at as a team right now without Howard
And, yes, Howard is that important--would have been last year if he played as well

 

[Ludd]

Honestly, were you surprised by what happened last night? We all should know where we're at as a team right now without Howard
And, yes, Howard is that important--would have been last year if he played as well

I was not surprised we lost, I am surprised we got humiliated. I’m also surprised at how bad Becht is. I thought he would bounce back after a poor game, but he’s shown that he’s just a bad QB.

 

[KingLando]

I was not surprised we lost, I am surprised we got humiliated. I’m also surprised at how bad Becht is. I thought he would bounce back after a poor game, but he’s shown that he’s just a bad QB.

He's had 2 really bad games--his career doesn't imply "bad QB" but maybe it is the injuries. We'll see what happens

 

[m.knox]

Attendance next week will be very interesting. Although its supposed to be 72 and sunny. That might bring more people out.

Very concerning to me is this team just is not competitive. And it looks like they have no interest in being competitive. The Dark Years teams played their balls off. They just weren't good enough. This team feels like they dont care.

Interesting you mention "no interest" in being competitive. I went on a rant last night to my wife about me playing HS football. I think we played 10 games. When it came time to play our cross town rivals that many of which I went to Jr. High with. I went nuts and had a great game. I didn't want to lose to them. Played both ways the entire game. The 9 other games? Meh.

I don't know what it takes, but I agree, they don't look motivated.

I get genuinely bent out of shape with the DT's. Honestly, it is the easiest position to play. If a blocker starts pushing you to the right, you push back to the left because, surprise, that's likely where the play is going. Our DT's get pushed out almost every damn play. And here DMMC was all about BIG PHYSICAL DT's... lol.. It's embarrassing all the way around.

 

[m.knox]

I was not surprised we lost, I am surprised we got humiliated. I’m also surprised at how bad Becht is. I thought he would bounce back after a poor game, but he’s shown that he’s just a bad QB.

I expected him to bounce back too.

 

[pendal1]

I expected him to bounce back too.

I'm surprised at how bad the front seven is. The defensive line is atrocious and our linebackers are really bad too. Rohas is a solid player but he's not a closer and he's not a great run defender.
This is a bad team and the coaches did a horrendous job in the portal because most of the guys they brought are are awful.

 

[OUIrPSU]

Run defense is absolute garbage.

What are you talking about? We held them to under 420 yards rushing!

 

[OUIrPSU]

That’s a weird thing on which to spend energy. Do you think I spend my week red-faced, hating other teams?

You seem like you need therapy, maybe.

I just ignored him/her/they, too. First time in 15 years I’ve done that to anyone.

 

[royboy]

I'm surprised at how bad the front seven is. The defensive line is atrocious and our linebackers are really bad too. Rohas is a solid player but he's not a closer and he's not a great run defender.
This is a bad team and the coaches did a horrendous job in the portal because most of the guys they brought are are awful.

Was there an Iowa State transfer who played well?
Chase Sowell (well traveled) made some plays at WR; I thought #4 Eskildsen was awful
TE Burkle #84 came in with hype (one of best TEs in country?) but he was far from a Tyler Warren
#8 Ebel and #10 Bacon got steam rolled on Defense
Rocco finished 26-41 passing, but he missed some key throws to open receivers, and had several balls batted down at the line of scrimmage

Disappointed at the lack of talent that came over

 

[Moogy]

Or there’s cash money that not enough want to give. Just by sheer numbers, there should be enough Penn Staters to bump up the cash money. We don’t all work at McDonald’s.

I still think that a lot of older Penn Staters with cash money feel disconnected with the school over the JoePa fiasco. Plus, I think many of those older Penn Staters don’t see big NIL. (hired mercenaries) as the Penn State Way.

Then again, I’m not very smart.

Time to show the Paterno State worshippers the door. Short-term pain for potential long-term gain. We don't need to be dragged down by that anchor any longer. They've proven too obsessed and too unreasonable to be appeased, so just escort them out of the equation.

 

[s1uggo72]

I don't believe MC uttered the word "obviously" even once. That's a win in my book.

I also wonder what kind of relationship Campbell has with Terry Smith. Is Terry mad because he didn't get the HC job? There might be some coaching/coordinator dysfunction or tension behind the scenes that we're unaware of.

What’s that have to do with not being able to play the trap?

One last comment. I knew we would miss Trautwein. He's turning Florida's OL around quickly to the point they are a team to watch.

Under Terry Smith as interim coach, Traut's 2025 OL started to resemble the ones that Cirbus used to develop.

Ryan Clanton isn't cutting it. He's really dumb

Trautwein is the last guy we are missing. Some people argue Jay was unqualified when we hired Traut that was worse

 

[s1uggo72]

Honestly, were you surprised by what happened last night? We all should know where we're at as a team right now without Howard
And, yes, Howard is that important--would have been last year if he played as well

very very surprised. They beat us to death with 2 basic HS plays.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Catch1lion]

Apparently blue chip ratio is a real thing.

 

[KingLando]

Apparently blue chip ratio is a real thing.

Shocking talent matters

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

The concern though is twofold. The personnel is not new to him, as he brought a large platoon that he knew what he had, and what they can do. Secondly, for knowing his personnel, they don’t appear to have any idea what they are supposed to be doing. No matter how little talent was on Iowa St, HCMC had people that knew and could execute his scheme

Fair points, but even with all of his familiarity, he’s melding them with new players who are more ingrained in the program than he is and a new DC. I saw a video with Freddie Scott this afternoon reminding everybody that Campbell isn’t just trying to rebuild for this year…he’s got a long-term plan. It’s a process…I’m trying to remain optimistic that last night is the step back necessary to ultimately take two steps forward.

 

[Ludd]

It’s hard to finish tackles when you’re 10 yards away from the guy.

 

[WestSideLion]

Welcome to the Big Ten, Penn State Cyclones!

Embarassing performance!!!

This post aged well. Nice performance today, Hawkeyes. You reap what you sow, jackass.

 

[STL_Lion]

What are you talking about? We held them to under 420 yards rushing!

Maybe posted before; if so I apo;ogize...I am a PSU old timer...graduated in 1973...Under Paterno I can not remember any team rushing for over 250 yds except for one Nebraska team that wooped us in the early 80's I tried running this through CoPilot but it could not answer my question.

 

[Binder74]

Maybe I'm just an optimist after watching 2 bad performances but could it also we just happened to catch 2 teams that are better than they have been historically. Wisconsin smoked Michigan State today and Northwestern played well last week as well.

 

[pendal1]

Maybe I'm just an optimist after watching 2 bad performances but could it also we just happened to catch 2 teams that are better than they have been historically. Wisconsin smoked Michigan State today and Northwestern played well last week as well.

No. We are bad. I was trying to stay optimistic after Wisconsin. There's no sugarcoating this NW loss

 

[Blair10]

Maybe I'm just an optimist after watching 2 bad performances but could it also we just happened to catch 2 teams that are better than they have been historically. Wisconsin smoked Michigan State today and Northwestern played well last week as well.

No. Penn State is historically bad this season. Campbell inherited a roster that was going to be talent deprived even if Franklin had not been fired. Realistically, it will take about 3 years to completely rebuild this roster which begins with the class of 2027 recruits.

 

[SkiSkiSki]

Dunning Kruger effect doesn't usually end well.

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

Maybe posted before; if so I apo;ogize...I am a PSU old timer...graduated in 1973...Under Paterno I can not remember any team rushing for over 250 yds except for one Nebraska team that wooped us in the early 80's I tried running this through CoPilot but it could not answer my question.

Michigan State 1997 rushed for 452 yards against Penn State.
Miami 2001 rushed for 258 yards against Penn State.
Michigan 2022 rushed for 418 yards against Penn State.

Three that I can recall and looked up.

 

[Chumboshifko1]

Michigan State 1997 rushed for 452 yards against Penn State.
Miami 2001 rushed for 258 yards against Penn State.
Michigan 2022 rushed for 418 yards against Penn State.

Three that I can recall and looked up.

Did you collapse in anguish?

 

[royboy]

No. Penn State is historically bad this season. Campbell inherited a roster that was going to be talent deprived even if Franklin had not been fired. Realistically, it will take about 3 years to completely rebuild this roster which begins with the class of 2027 recruits.

Rebuilding can be done faster with the portal nowadays.

No guarantee that PSU will be successful in that.

 

[Nitt1300]

Rebuilding can be done faster with the portal nowadays.

No guarantee that PSU will be successful in that.

without money, it's not likely

 

[CaliLion79]

 

[royboy]

Here's the game in a nutshell