Review, Game 3: PSU 55, SU 13

Today I'll go over a few of the ups and downs from Penn State’s win over rival Syracuse. This week’s victory wasn’t as crisp as the first two of the season, but Penn State’s superior talent and power just overwhelmed Syracuse. The Lions lost the turnover battle --the first time this season--which should worry many around the team right now. It’s one thing to make a few mistakes against a really bad team, but as I said yesterday, those two fumbles by Anthony Scirrotto and Daryll Clark will be unacceptable when Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio State come knocking. But the team settled down, and played well. But we'll get into all of this as I review how each unit performed Saturday, and what we could expect for next week against Temple.

OFFENSE :: A

Line - I don’t like the rule that a forced quarterback fumble also counts as a sack. In my mind, Daryll Clark’s opening drive fumble wasn’t a legitimate sack given up by the PSU offensive line. So while it will go down on paper as having one, we should consider this offensive line’s performance, so far, as perfect. Penn State lost only 16 yards rushing against Syracuse, including Clarks fumble (-7 yds). On the season, PSU’s only lost 43 yards running the ball.

Receivers - The last time two Penn State receivers eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a single game was 2003 (30-23 loss to Wisconsin). Jordan Norwood and Deon Butler did just that against Syracuse, while Norwood is the first WR to have consecutive 100-yard games since Bryant Johnson in 2001. But it wasn’t all about the starters, as Penn State’s backup WRs played equally well. Derek Moye’s 33-yard touchdown catch-and-run was very impressive, and showed these guys don’t just go through the motions.

Quarterbacks - Clark took a small step back this week, but is still having the best start by a PSU QB in a very long time. Actually, the entire PSU QB unit is flawless through the first three games, not throwing a single interception, while completing 57 percent as a team. I wasn’t scared when Clark fumbled on the first drive, but I was very unhappy that he didn’t just throw it away. Pat Devlin, after having an off-game last week, played extremely well. He really showed up Clark statistically, and it was really good to see Paul Cianciolo throw for a score.

Rushers - It wasn’t necessary for Penn State to run the ball right up SU’s gut from the beginning. Going into the game, I think it was the staff’s priority to get the passing game solidified before the Big Ten opener. It’s unlike Joe Paterno to allow his team to throw after running up a 35-point lead before halftime. Evan Royster gained almost eight yards a pop, and Stephfon Green reached the end zone. Brent Carter continues to prove that PSU has outstanding depth at this position.

DEFENSE :: A

Line - Even for the best teams, holding an opponent to negative yards through the first quarter is no small feat. This week, unlike the Oregon State game, the defensive line didn’t look too tired late. It’s my guess that suspended Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma will be out another week (Temple next week), so PSU will have to continue playing the young guns. That’s not all bad, though. These are the situations which build invaluable depth for the Big Ten slate. However, it would have been nice to see more than just one sack against Syracuse. Aaron Maybin is leading the team in this category, and is doing just what Paterno wants him to do, prove him wrong by getting it done on the field.

Linebackers - Navorro Bowman led the team in tackles for the second straight week. Oh, and he’s a backup. Once Penn State opened up the huge lead, as with the other defensive units, the staff wanted to get the backups in there. That could be seen by Chris Colasanti’s third-leading four tackles, and Nate Stupar’s two stops. I keep seeing teams throw over the PSU middle linebackers--whoever it happens to be--and gaining big chunks. I’m not sure if this is a scheme issue, or just the backers not knowing how to play the mid-level zones, but it has to be fixed.

Secondary - After this unit came into the season as the supposed-weakest link, the Penn State defensive backfield is looking better each week. The coverage has been plain vanilla, but individual play has been great. The staff has been raving about Drew Astorino, and we saw why, as he grabbed his first career interception. He also led the secondary in tackles. Scirrotto didn’t log a single tackle this game. This week was an overall improvement for this unit.

SPECIAL TEAMS :: B-

Kickers - Jeremy Boone had a net punting average of 40 yards per boot (six yards better than last week), and Kevin Kelly nailed a career-long 52-yarder. Colin Wagner also made a field goal, a not-so-easy 43 yard kick. I really liked the production from this unit.

Returners - Scirrotto’s fumble can’t happen against better teams. He’s supposed to be the sure-handed punt returner. The rest of the return guys did well, highlighted by Chaz Powell’s 69-yard kickoff return at the end of the third quarter.

Coverage - Good coverage all around, again.

COACHES :: A (last three weeks)

Paterno and Co. could have tightened up and played it super safe on the road. Not this time. The game opened the way it should have--well, after the teams traded turnovers--with the passing game taking off and the running game chewing up yards. This is the kind of team that coaches love to have, because it takes a lot of pressure off them. On offense, Jay Paterno and Galen Hall can call almost any play in the book, while Tom Bradley can keep his bend-but-don’t-break defensive scheme in place. Coaches on both sides of the ball know this team is good enough to get any job done.