Recap

[bdgan]

1. Riley faked us out twice on late substitutions forcing us to use TOs. Fool me once shame on me, foll me twice...
2. I'm not impressed with Lynn as DC. How many times did our LBs get sucked in on play action and get beat by throws over their heads? Only 2 LBs didn't help. Bacon would be the third LB but he's at DE.
3. How many PSU 3rd down throws short of the line to gain?
4. Hansen leading rusher with 28 yds on 14 carries. Why did we keep running up the middle on 1st down leaving us with 2nd and long?
5. We were hoping this OL would bed good with Donkoh, Cousins, & Goodman. Riker & Buhr were question marks but this team struggled to run against weak teams. Only 68 yds rushing tonight.
6. Becht had decent stats but he badly missed some open throws.
7. Brahmer is overrated. He's a poor blocker but supposedly a good big target as a receiver. He had 1 catch for 4 yds.
8. Eskildsen might be fast but he's soft. He doesn't catch the ball in traffic and had a huge fumble on PSU's last drive.
9. Granville was a huge loss. Like I said Bacon isn't a DE.
10. I had hope for Ebel. I was wrong.
11. Cooper got beat repeatedly. He's a senior and had good rankings. Big disappointment.
12. Joseph got beat badly too but at least he's a freshman and can improve.
13. Zayas should have dislodged a pass in the red zone but he's also too soft. I'll cut him some slack since he's also a freshman.
14. ZERO TDs in the second half wasn't going to cut it.

 

[Classof09]

Them trying the onside kick in the 2nd half told us everything - they had zero fear of our offense and felt like even if they gave up the 7 due to field position they’d keep moving it on the defense. They weren’t scared - they went for the jugular early.

 

[BobPSU92]

Recap: We suck.

 

[WestSideLion]

Them trying the onside kick in the 2nd half told us everything - they had zero fear of our offense and felt like even if they gave up the 7 due to field position they’d keep moving it on the defense. They weren’t scared - they went for the jugular early.

Spot on. It was the ultimate disrespect. And PSU proved Riley right.

 

[TigersandLions]

After the Marshall game, I thought Ebel was a great find. Man, has better competition exposed him. The missed tackles against NW and a few tonight were obviously glaring. But almost as frustrating, his trying to jump around the block when a running play is coming right at him just creates a huge hole - reminiscent of DeLuca. Really bummed Tatsch was apparently out with an injury tonight as I think he's at least a slight upgrade.

 

[Classof09]

Spot on. It was the ultimate disrespect. And PSU proved Riley right.

Fear and respect are earned. And we don’t earn either of those from anybody anymore. That may be the most frustrating thing about this team - no advantage in speed, size, strength, talent, grit, effort, discipline, coaching, recruiting, etc.

 

[The Song Remains the Same]

2a. The defense rushing only 3 on most third downs despite the TV graphic showing the USC QB completes 73% without pressure vs. 39% with pressure? Blackledge had difficulty hiding his frustration of the obvious WTF was Lynn doing...this strategy was key to the many long drives.

 

[royboy]

The better team won. The Iowa State transfers have not been great; #4 Eskildsen, #8 Ebel, and #10 Bacon are not as good as most Big10 players at their positions. Rocco has some ability but not enough to win games on his own. It's painful to see a PSU defense get shredded.

Penn State simply needs more talent; the portal changes things somewhat, but big gains in talent are probably more than 1 season away.

 

[SoCalLion]

The better team won. The Iowa State transfers have not been great; #4 Eskildsen, #8 Ebel, and #10 Bacon are not as good as most Big10 players at their positions. Rocco has some ability but not enough to win games on his own. It's painful to see a PSU defense get shredded.

Penn State simply needs more talent; the portal changes things somewhat, but big gains in talent are probably more than 1 season away.

Yep. This team may have 1-2 guys drafted come April --- in ANY round.

There is simply nothing even close to resembling top-tier talent on this team.

 

[PSUForever]

We have next to zero talent on defense. No D linemen at all. No LBs except Rojas is solid but I think overrated and not a game changer. Maybe one guy in the secondary. Shocking and disheartening how weak our defense is.

Offense just as talent devoid. Howard who is hurt is our star then I guess Rapp. Brahmer is supposed to be talented. Becht, so so and a disappointment. Same with Sowell. RBs are atrocious and the O-Line is below average to average. Just nothing.

Lucky to go 3-5 in conference and could be 1-7 or 2-6. I do think we manage to win at least one conference game. Blind squirrel theory applies.

 

[Blair10]

Ebel is without a doubt a division 3 player masquerading as a power 4 starting B1G linebacker at linebacker U. This has to be the crime of the century.

 

[MacNit]

1. Riley faked us out twice on late substitutions forcing us to use TOs. Fool me once shame on me, foll me twice...
2. I'm not impressed with Lynn as DC. How many times did our LBs get sucked in on play action and get beat by throws over their heads? Only 2 LBs didn't help. Bacon would be the third LB but he's at DE.
3. How many PSU 3rd down throws short of the line to gain?
4. Hansen leading rusher with 28 yds on 14 carries. Why did we keep running up the middle on 1st down leaving us with 2nd and long?
5. We were hoping this OL would bed good with Donkoh, Cousins, & Goodman. Riker & Buhr were question marks but this team struggled to run against weak teams. Only 68 yds rushing tonight.
6. Becht had decent stats but he badly missed some open throws.
7. Brahmer is overrated. He's a poor blocker but supposedly a good big target as a receiver. He had 1 catch for 4 yds.
8. Eskildsen might be fast but he's soft. He doesn't catch the ball in traffic and had a huge fumble on PSU's last drive.
9. Granville was a huge loss. Like I said Bacon isn't a DE.
10. I had hope for Ebel. I was wrong.
11. Cooper got beat repeatedly. He's a senior and had good rankings. Big disappointment.
12. Joseph got beat badly too but at least he's a freshman and can improve.
13. Zayas should have dislodged a pass in the red zone but he's also too soft. I'll cut him some slack since he's also a freshman.
14. ZERO TDs in the second half wasn't going to cut it.

We are absolutely bereft of high end talent. Luckily U$C was poorly coached or it would have been an unmitigated disaster.
What players scare opponents - none other than maybe Rojas.

In hindsight this should have been expected. If your most important players are from Iowa State results.

Will need a huge infusion of NIL $ and then it will need to be spent wisely.

In the mean time, this game may be peak PSU until next year.

 

[MacNit]

The better team won. The Iowa State transfers have not been great; #4 Eskildsen, #8 Ebel, and #10 Bacon are not as good as most Big10 players at their positions. Rocco has some ability but not enough to win games on his own. It's painful to see a PSU defense get shredded.

Penn State simply needs more talent; the portal changes things somewhat, but big gains in talent are probably more than 1 season away.

Really as simple as LA Dodgers baseball - need to buy the best players. No NIL no winning.