Odrick named All-America, LJ Sr. earns his raise

Another season, another defensive first team All-America selection from Penn State:

"[Jared Odrick] was selected to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team, the first All-America squad to be announced for the 2009 campaign."

Larry Johnson, Sr., Penn State's defensive line coach for 14 seasons, is known more for his recruiting than his actual coaching, for some strange reason. I think it's about time that changes. Under LJ Sr.'s guidance, the Nittany Lions defensive line has produced a first-team All-America selection SIX TIMES THIS DECADE! I've said it before. Larry Johnson Sr. is the greatest single-unit coach in football today. Period. Congratulations, Jared and LJ Sr.!

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PSU lands another defensive lineman

Chesapeake's Oscar Smith HS defensive lineman Evan Hailes (☆☆☆☆ Scout; ☆☆☆☆ Rivals) announced yesterday that he will play football for Penn State. He had scholarship offers from a bunch of schools from the ACC, SEC and even the Pac 10. Most notably, LSU was very actively recruiting him, along with Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Michigan. This is another great pickup for the defensive front, as the 2010 crop of Lions is shaping up to be another '06-type class. Hopefully they can stay out of trouble a bit better.

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Quick thoughts: Blue White Game

Penn State will now move into the long abyss after the Blue White Game and before the summer practice sessions begin. But first, let me point out a few things about the game.

Offense...

• Daryll Clark and Evan Royster could very well carry the team this year. While Royster only logged three carries, they amounted to 21 yards. He looked fluid, as usual, and shouldn't have a problem with the Rose Bowl injury. Clark was sharp, real sharp, going 10 for 13 on the day. This is the best quarterback situation, in terms of a returning starter, Penn State has had in more than a decade.

• I was pleasantly surprised by the backup running backs, particularly Brandon Beachum. He had good power, and speed, which wasn't one of his strong points coming out of high school. Beachum should be able to step right in, should the need arise.

• The wide receivers will be fine. All that gloom and doom about losing (as of today) two NFL Draft picks (Williams and Butler), and a free agent (Norwood), might have been premature. Derek Moye and Graham Zug complemented each other perfectly, and had no issues making some tough catches. Clark seemed very comfortable throwing to his wideouts.

Defense...

• I'm not quite sure what to make of the secondary. In case we've already forgotten, Clark is the league's best quarterback, so of course he can make a defense look silly. However, that doesn't clear up the Kevin Newsome/Matt McGloin performances. They both looked fantastic (McGloin in particular). Or, does that mean the secondary is just really that bad?

• The defensive line was very interesting to watch. One thing I was shocked by, was that Larry Johnson, Sr. put all four of the best linemen on the field at the same time. It was Jack Crawford and Jared Odrick (!) at the ends, with Ollie Ogbu and Abe Koroma inside. That is easily the best single unit going into the season, and I couldn't be happier with that situation.

Everything else...

• I don't remember a Blue White Game being so hot. Actually, most of the years that I've attended, it's rained. What made things worse, though it was my own doing, was that I walked around the stadium about three times, to get all the best camera angles. Yeah, you're welcome.

• The crowd was great. Supposedly 76,500 fans showed up, but I'm not sure you can accurately estimate it to the hundreds. It's possible, though, which is why they should figure out a way to count the people as they enter. After all, Ohio State blew us away this year, by about 20,000 fans.

• I promised an update on the future non-conference opponent Penn State is talking with. I spoke with someone inside the athletic department on Saturday, and they told me that a series with Boston College is "all but signed." They weren't sure when anything would be finalized, but that things are moving towards renewing that old rivalry. Let's just hope that things go better than the last few meetings with the Eagles.

Coming up...

• Monday, I'll have the photo album up and ready to go. It could be later in the day, so check back sometime in the afternoon.

*Have something to say about this post? Let your voice be heard, in the ZN Message Forum!

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Blue White Game preview: Defensive Line

Penn State usually doesn't lose players early to the NFL Draft, which made it all the more shocking when All-Big Ten defensive ends Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans decided to go pro following the Rose Bowl. The loss of those two players, particularly Maybin, a mere sophomore, sent chills up Penn State fans' spines. They were supposed to be in Blue and White for at least one more season, if not more for Maybin. And to add insult to injury, the always steady senior Josh Gaines graduated. Now, Penn State has been forced to scramble to build depth at the position.

On the inside, it's a completely different story. Penn State returns probably the best three defensive tackles in the Big Ten: Jared Odrick, Ollie Ogbu and Abe Koroma. They have all worked extremely well together and consistently played both run and pass. If defensive end is the dark spot, then tackle is definitely the bright spot for 2009.

ENDS

• No. 81, Jack Crawford. Sophomore. Starter.

What we already know: A product of England (yes, England) Crawford has gotten nothing but glowing reviews from the coaching staff the last two years. He has great size (6'5" 262) and is said to be very quick off the ball. Crawford appeared in all 13 games last season, logging four tackles and two pass breakups. His teammates have said he's actually just as fast as Maybin was, but with a little more height.

What to expect: It's always tough to root for one side of the Blue White Game. I want the offensive line to do well, but I might be happier if Crawford emerges with a dominating performance. The top aspect of his game I'll look for this weekend is his speed. If he is truly as fast as Maybin, I want to see it.

• No. 44, Kevion Latham. Redshirt Sophomore. Likely Starter.

What we already know: Latham played in eight games last year, finishing with three assisted tackles. He's in the same mold as Maurice Evans, at 6'2" about 250 lbs. Latham supposedly has great speed and agility, which allows him to slip by the offensive linemen. His three years in the program gives him much more experience than it seems.

What to expect: If Latham is in fact like Mo Evans, then I want to see it this weekend. Since he's competing against Eric Lattimore for the end spot opposite Crawford, Latham has to end this spring with a bang. This could be the most interesting race to watch this weekend, as Latham and Lattimore (more on him in a sec) have two very different styles and builds.

• No. 56, Eric Lattimore. Redshirt Sophomore. Possible Starter.

What we already know: Lattimore has fantastic size (6'6" 265) and good speed to go along with it. He recorded seven tackles, one TFL, one sack and a QB hurry in only nine games last year. While some defensive ends like to be smaller than the tackles they go against, Lattimore seems to revel in the fact that he's the same size.

What to expect: Lattimore is still trying to lock up the other defensive end spot, competing against Kevion Latham. While the Blue White Game is not a major factor in determining who gets to play in the fall, it is something the coaches look at. I want to see Lattimore play up to his size this Saturday.

• Others to note: No. 39, Tom Golarz, Senior; No. 51, Jonathan Stewart, Redshirt Sophomore; No. 59, Pete Massaro, Redshirt Freshman.

What we already know: Golarz and Stewart combined for three tackles last year; Golarz in nine games, Stewart in two. Massaro has been described as a solid player, who should push for more playing time this year.

What to expect: These are the guys who really need to play well on Saturday. While none of them have done anything remarkable so far in their careers, now is the time to step up. More likely than not, they will spend most of the game going against the first team offensive line. It should give everyone a pretty good idea as to how deep the defensive ends are.

TACKLES

• No. 91, Jared Odrick. Senior. Starter.

What we already know: Odrick emerged as one of the dominant tackles in college football last season. He started 11 of 13 games, and finished with 41 tackles, nine for loss, 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and a huge safety against Michigan. His size (6'5" 305) and ability explode off the ball gives Penn State a rock for the rest of the line to build around.

What to expect: Odrick is probably the least of anyone's worries going into the break. But if I were to look for something on Saturday, I'd say keep an eye on how well he does against Penn State's young offensive line. He's said that it's now more frustrating for him, because the line has gotten better. We'll see.

• No. 95, Abe Koroma. Redshirt Junior. Likely Starter.

What we already know: Koroma played in 10 games last year, starting five. He totaled 26 tackles, two for loss, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Koroma was suspended for three games after being charged with marijuana possession, along with Mo Evans, prior to the Oregon State game. He worked his way back into the starting spot by season's end. He is a good weight (305) and height (6'3").

What to expect: Even though Koroma was in Joe Paterno's dog house most of the season, his abilities allowed him to work his way back. I want to see him look like an upperclassman leader on Saturday, and set the example for the young guys. The defensive tackles are some of the most experienced players on this team, and Koroma has to live up to that role.

• No. 85, Ollie Ogbu. Redshirt Junior. Possible Starter.

What we already know: Ogbu was played in the regular starting rotation of tackles last season and the year prior. He started nine games in 2008, and could be considered the third starting tackle. Ogbu is a bit smaller (6'1" 289) than most tackles, but he plays much bigger than his size. He registered 17 tackles, 2.5 for loss, two sacks and a QB hurry.

What to expect: Ogbu reminds me of Jay Alford, another Lion (now sporting a Super Bowl ring) who played larger than his size. That's why I'm expecting nothing less on Saturday. It could be a very tight race between Ogbu and Koroma for the most playing time, even though they will both rotate regularly. But someone's got to start, and with a good finish to this spring, Ogbu could earn that spot.

• No. 71, Devon Still. Redshirt Sophomore. Backup.

What we already know: Still has been hampered by injuries, causing him to miss all but three games last year. He did return for the final two, but hasn't yet logged a stat. Odrick himself has said Still can develop into a real force on the line, and has the natural gifts (6'5" 300) to get him there.

What to expect: Still looks to be ready to go, and ready to make up for lost time. I hope so, as I'm really excited to see him perform on the field. He should start for the second team, and going up against the first team offense, I want to see him give them some fits. It will be up to Still to lead the interior of the defense, particularly against the run, which could be significantly featured this year.

• No. 92, Chima Okoli. Redshirt Sophomore. Backup.

What we already know: Okoli played in seven games, notching just one tackle. But the coaches like what he's been doing in practice, and should push for some more playing time this year. He has great size (6'4" 300) for the position, giving him the tools to make a difference along the line.

What to expect: Okoli should contend for one of the top two reserve spots this fall, but he'll be one of the main guys this weekend for the second team.

• Others to note: No. 99, Brandon Ware, Redshirt Freshman; No. 55 Tom McEowen. Redshirt Junior.

What we already know: McEowen has been the victim of injuries and position shifts, but has always remained a team kind of guy about it. He played in seven games last year, logging five tackles. Ware is gigantic (6'3" 350), and Joe Paterno has been on his case to lose the weight, which he's doing. The staff likes his progress, and should see the field this fall.

What to expect: When the third and fourth string guys get onto the field during the Blue White Game, that's when the real action begins. We don't always get to see, or heard about how well these players are doing. This will be our change. Good teams have great depth, and McEowen and Ware are the depth.

• • •

*Note the schedule has changed!

Late tonight...
The Linebackers

Previously...
Monday: Quarterbacks and Running Backs
Tuesday: Receivers and Tight Ends
Wednesday: Offensive line

Next up...
Friday: Defensive Backs, Special Teams.
Saturday night: Report from the game, photos, etc.

*Have something to say about this post? Let your voice be heard, in the ZN Message Forum!

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Johnson staying at Penn State!

Can I get a D-line coach? You betcha!

That would be a Mr. Larry Johnson, Sr., the current AND FUTURE defensive line coach for the Penn State football team. Apparently, the Patriot News broke the story, then FOS jumped on board to confirm the news.

What you just heard was a half-million Penn State fans letting out a sigh of relief...

Welcome home, LJS!

(HT: BSD)

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Review, Game 10: Iowa 24, Penn State 23

The Nittany Lions laid a big, fat, rotten egg at Iowa. I really don't want to do this review, as this is the most painful loss since Michigan 2005. But, I intend to do my best. I’ll go through each unit and the coaching, sizing up how each one performed in Iowa City.

OFFENSE :: D

Line – How many times have we heard the phrase, "It all starts up front," when analysts spoke of Penn State's success this season? Well, it has to stand true in losses, as well. This loss began in the trenches, on the very first drive. The Iowa defensive line, especially the interior linemen, had no problem scorching through Penn State's front wall. There's been a lot of talk about Rich Ohrnberger and Stefen Wisniewski swapping spots, and the disaster which ensued shortly thereafter. The middle of the Penn State offensive line was the force and strong point of attack all year, but in one single outing, it all came crashing down. With it, so did the Penn State offense as a whole. Just to illustrate how poorly the offensive line performed last week, let's look at the "Opponent TFLs." Games 1-9: 3.7 TFL per game; Iowa: 7 TFL! That's nearly double the number off negative-yardage plays made by a Penn State opponent.

Receivers – I'm going to leave Derrick Williams out of this. He was used as a utility player, not a pure receiver. Now, on to the group of Penn State football players who claim to be wide RECEIVERS! It's one thing to struggle to break coverage, or get open, or gain a lot of yards after catch. But it's an entirely different monster when the receivers can't even make the catch. Daryll Clark received a lot of undue heat for his play, when really, no one else helped him out. This was very evident on the perimeter and downfield. Was there a more painful play than the Jordan Norwood drop on third down? I don't think so. Another surprisingly pivotal display of incompetence was Andrew Quarless. It wasn't so much his receiving that sucked–even though it really did last week–but rather his blocking was horrendous, mainly on the goal line.

Quarterbacks - Clark took all the blame, as most leaders do for their team's loss. But I really think Clark played a decent game. He had no protection, ridiculously bad play-calling, and receivers that wouldn't catch the ball. Would I have liked to see Pat Devlin come in for a series, considering Penn State wasn't running the quarterback at all? Of course, but I'm not sure it would have mattered. After the first three plays–all passes, into the wind, with horrible blocking–Clark was never in a rhythm, something he thrived on in the previous nine games. Even during the Ohio State game, Clark played a clean game, even if it wasn't impressive. Iowa got to Clark, and Clark got to himself. I think the critics look too deeply into the interception, as it was he only real mistake Clark made in the passing game. I know, it was at the worst time. But you can't blame this loss on Clark, and neither should he.

Rushers – Give these guys credit, they had less help than did Clark and the passing game. Evan Royster was recently named a Doak Walker Semifinalist, and the Iowa game just reinforced why he's viewed as one of the best. Again, I don't mean to harp on this, but with virtually no blocking help, Royster did a fantastic job Saturday, managing to gain 90 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown. His lost-yardage total was a season-high 17 yards lost. And what's with Stephfon Green? He's averaged 9 yards per carry the last two games (6/54), but the offensive staff hasn't given him more touches (season-low, 7 tot. touches, last two games). With two of the best running backs in the conference, Penn State sure knows how to waste their talent. Now on to Williams. I loved the game-plan the staff installed for him, but I wish it was incorporated into the Spread HD, rather than push it aside. The "Williams Factor" was one we've all been waiting for, but didn't expect it to smother the rest of the regular offense. Combine those two, and these next two games (and bowl game) will look more like the first nine.

DEFENSE :: D

Line – The down linemen couldn't shed run blocks to save their lives at Iowa, and it completely killed any chance at stopping Iowa's Shonn Greene. But it wasn't just the run defense, as the pass pressure never materialized when Penn State needed it most. Aaron Maybin was a non-factor in this game. It was one of only two games (the other being Illinois) in which he didn't record a sack, and it really hurt the defense. I thought things were going to turn around when Jared Odrick blasted his way through the line so fast, Iowa's Ricky Stanzi was sacked before he even completed his drop. This was the first game all season where the defensive line looked really tired in the fourth quarter. Could it be that all those losses up front have finally come crashing down on Penn State? Maybe not, but maybe so.

Linebackers – Penn State wasn't getting any pressure up front with just four rushers. So they rushed five and six, yet still couldn't get pressure. This has quickly become a disturbing pattern for the 'backers. Not only that, but Josh Hull, Navorro Bowman and Tyrell Sales were frequently jammed up by the tackles and tight ends, sealing off the edge for Iowa's Greene. One of the few bright spots was Sales coming up with a pick, but we have to remember that Stanzi threw that ball into about four defenders. If one of our guys didn't pick it off, it would have been truly pathetic. And what the hell happened to Bani Gbadyu? He wasn't a world-beater at linebacker (he did lose his starting spot to Bowman), but he hasn't registered a single stat or played a down in three weeks.

Secondary – Like Clark on offense, the secondary has been taking a lot of unjust heat for the Iowa loss. Three plays stick out, all in the fourth quarter. Lydell Sargeant dropped a sure-interception. One play later, broken coverage allowed an Iowa touchdown. Then, on the final drive, Anthony Scirrotto went up over the receiver's head, trying to intercept the ball, but was flagged for interference, keeping the drive alive. Yes, they were all horrible plays at the worst times. But overall, the Penn State secondary played up to it's own talent level. In the beginning of this year, many worried about the secondary and the linebackers. So we shouldn't be surprised when either of those two groups fail to win games for Penn State. No single unit, or player can be blamed for this loss, especially the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS :: A

Kickers – Kevin Kelly probably wishes he only had to kid PATs, but he came through on every kick. He could end up as a Groza finalist. Jeremy Boone had a so-so night, averaging 33 net yards per punt. He did his job.

Returners – Boy, Penn State could have used a spark. But there was none to be found in the return game this week. Although this group of Williams and Chaz Powell didn't do anything good, they didn't do anything bad, either.

Coverage – Penn State gave up one big return, a 27-yarder, but overall did a good job. I'll throw the kick-block unit into this part, just because I had to have it somewhere. But looking at the final kick by Iowa, it was eerily similar to the Minnesota 1999 game. It looked like Penn State had the height, the leverage and the speed to block it... but no.

COACHES :: F

I don't even know where to start with the coaching staff. I said after the game that this loss had "Joe Paterno written all over it." I might have been a little off with that angle. This game had Fran Ganter written all over it. I remember hearing Ganter say years ago, "We don't do a lot, but what we do, we do well." You know what that translates into? We don't adjust. That evil reared its head once again Saturday. It brought back horrible memories of the Michigan 2006 game, when Penn State seemingly refused to call screen plays to combat the UM pass rush. Then, when a screen was finally called, Tony Hunt takes it for a touchdown. Where was that at Iowa? If there was ever a need for screens–inside, outside, bubble, whatever kind–it was last week. Royster didn't catch a single pass, and Green grabbed only one, out on the flat. These two guys were built for screens, but none were called. Damn, I'll even take those dreadful bubble screens to the wide receivers. I don't mean to drag on about screen passes, but I really believe it could have made a significant impact on the offensive production last week. On defense, I have nothing to really say. Penn State bent. Penn State broke. That's not Penn State.

*Ed.- Now that this is done (finally), I'll have the full Indiana Preview up later today.

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Review, Game 6: PSU 20, Purdue 6

Today I'll go over a few of the ups and downs from Penn State's win over Purdue. As I said before, I'm officially worried about Joe Paterno's health. I'm not ready to make rash claims, but it's definitely a concern right now. The Purdue win was a weird episode in the Penn State football season. The offense did look good, yet we're all pissed at them. The defense has been very shaky this year, but showed up big time against Curtis Painter. Good teams win on the road, and Penn State did that. I believe the game was unjustly labeled "ugly" by the fans and media, especially since there were no PSU turnovers. But we'll get into all of this as I review how each unit performed Saturday, and what we could expect for next week's showdown at No. 24 Wisconsin.

OFFENSE :: B+

Line - The only real problem I had with the line this week was its lack of push on the short yardage plays. Penn State was saved when the replay booth took another look at the fourth-and-goal play, as Daryll Clark was clearly not in the end zone. Other than that, the sacks on Clark were mostly due to good coverage and holding the ball too long. Penn State had another balanced attack--200+ rushing and passing--thanks to the offensive line.

Receivers - Deon Butler bailed out Clark on several occasions, making fantastic leaping catches, dragging his toes in-bounds. Graham Zug continues to impress me, as does Bret Brackett. Penn State fans should not worry after this season, these young receivers will fill in just fine. Andrew Quarless has finally turned the corner. He's playing selfless football, and always doing what he can to help the team before himself. Oh yeah, and he's a monster on the field. If it wasn't for the Purdue defender hanging on to Quarless' jersey for dear life, he would have been gone up the sideline. I haven't been this comfortable with Penn State's receiving unit in a very long time.

Quarterbacks - Clark's a leader, hands down. He made a few questionable throwing decisions at Purdue, especially when he could have taken off for the first down, and held on to the ball too much. But I can't complain too much. He doesn't turn the ball over, and completes the important passes with incredible precision. Again, though, I wish he had run a few more times when the receivers weren't open. I'm starting to feel bad for Pat Devlin. He should have gotten into the game this week. The PSU defense was clamping down on Purdue, and the offense had nothing to worry about. Get Devlin in there.

Rushers - What would this game have been like if the field wasn't a slip n' slide? On at least three short-yardage situations, Penn State runners slipped prior to reaching the first down marker. Purdue didn't have this problem, why did PSU? Evan Royster might be a better back right now than [gasp!] Beanie Wells. But we'll find that out in three weeks. Stephfon Green is turning out to be the best back-up rusher in the Big Ten, especially when it's a change-of-pace situation. He also had surprising power to shed tackles up the middle. It would have been nice to see Dan Lawlor make it over the line for the touchdown, but we can't ask for everything.

DEFENSE :: A

Line - The PSU defensive front continues to play above everyone's expectations. Jared Odrick had a fantastic game, highlighted by his sack and the knockdown. Now with Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma rotating regularly, the line's depth is back at what we thought it would be. I'm excited to see how this unit does against the better offensive lines, like Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State. But if there's one thing about this line that stands out the most, its the presence of real leadership from one end to the other. The younger guys like Aaron Maybin--the Big Ten sack leader, I might add--are playing their hearts out, while the older guys are the steadying force up front.

Linebackers - It was a better outing this week for the linebackers. Josh Hull had a great game, leading the team in tackles (11 solo). There were a few missed tackles, but you're bound to get a couple every game. I'd like to see Bani Gbadyu get a bit more physical throughout the game. He had some good hits, as did Navorro Bowman, but sometimes they got a little lax wrapping up the ball carrier. This is still a good unit, just not what we're all used to at Penn State.

Secondary - I don't care who you are, but holding Purdue under 200 passing yards is a good day. Several times, Purdue just couldn't get anyone open, leading to sacks and forced throws. It looks like AJ Wallace is back in the regular fold, which will always help against bigger, faster receivers. But for a unit that made me squirm earlier this season, I feel good about where the PSU secondary is right now. And with the emergence of Drew Astorino as a viable nickel-package safety/CB, the defensive backfield is a little more sound. I'd work on some tackling drills this week, though, getting ready for PJ Hill and then Beanie Wells two weeks later.

SPECIAL TEAMS :: A

Kickers - Kevin Kelly hasn't been asked to do much, and that's fine by me. He nailed his field goals in West Lafayette, and had no problems on kickoffs. Jeremy Boone isn't the bomber he was, but his accuracy is just as good. Penn State's gunners need to help him out by getting to the ball before it rolls into the end zone.

Returners - Sometimes not much happens here. And nothing did happen at Purdue. Derrick Williams could have taken one punt back, but called a fair catch. I think the sun got in his eyes or something, because he had plenty of running room.

Coverage - Penn State's problems in kick coverage never reared its ugly head at Purdue. There were no noticeable breakdowns or run backs.

COACHES :: A

Joe Paterno has to address this leg thing, now. I know, it's his life and his private medical stuff. But he's got to level with people and stop ignoring this problem. He's old. He destroyed his knee two years ago, and has never been the same. Now I hear his hip is bothering him too, but doesn't want anything but pills? Not good. OK, enough of that. I liked Penn State's new formation out there, reminiscent of the old power-I/goal line form. I wonder if this will become a regular thing with PSU--a new formation every week. I can't wait to see what's in line for Wisconsin.

*Ed-Later today, I'll post my top 25.

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Review, Game 4: PSU 45, TU 3

Today I'll go over a few of the ups and downs from Penn State's win over Temple. There was the drama surrounding Joe Paterno's leg, and the offenses lackluster performance in the first quarter. Although many are pissed off at the Penn State offense right now, I think it was a good thing this kind of game happened against a team like Temple, instead of one like Illinois or Michigan. This will give the team a chance to look at themselves with a critical eye during film review, and maybe come out with more intensity versus the Illini than they would have if the Temple win was easier. But we'll get into all of this as I review how each unit performed Saturday, and what we could expect for next week's showdown with No. 21 Illinois.

OFFENSE :: B

Line - It was only a matter of time before Penn State gave up its first real sack--the one at Syracuse was more Daryll Clark's fault than the line's. Temple came out with a fantastic blitz package that overloaded Clark's blind side, and was the perfect call for PSU's play. The run blocking was great again, and there was still plenty of time for the quarterbacks to throw the ball. Two sacks in one game might seem like a lot, but three over four games is great.

Receivers - Penn State's game plan looked like it was designed specifically to get the younger wide receivers involved, and with the injury to Mickey Shuler, Andrew Quarless came up with a great game (50 yds). Next to the offensive line, the receivers on this Penn State team have been the best of all the units.

Quarterbacks - Clark threw an interception, but he's still having one of the best starts for any first-year Penn State quarterback. Penn State is currently leading the conference in passing yards per game (and total yards, rushing and points per game), and is second in the league in team pass efficiency, behind Minnesota, but Clark is the individual pass efficiency leader. Penn State's quarterbacks have thrown for a combined 10 touchdowns and only one interception.

Rushers - As if in competition with the quarterbacks, the Penn State running backs have made every attempt to steal the show this season. Against Temple, they might have succeeded. Evan Royster injected his usual spark, rumbling for a 32-yard touchdown in the second quarter. But it was Stephfon Green who made the biggest splash, on his 69-yard TD jaunt through traffic. After the instability at RB last year, this unit is one Penn State can lean on in 2008.

DEFENSE :: A

Line - Aaron Maybin's two first quarter sacks set the tone for the D-line this week, as Penn State clamped down on the Owls' run game, and sacking Temple's quarterbacks seven times. Josh Gaines continued to lead the defense, proving he's a great team captain this year. Penn State's defensive line is quickly tamping down any concern I might have had about productivity after Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma left. When/if they return, watch out.

Linebackers - I've already chosen my Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Navorro Bowman came up with one of the best days for a Penn State linebacker in years. Some have compared his effort against Temple to that of LaVar Arrington's all-star play in the late 1990s. Bowman looked the part Saturday, logging 11 tackles, five TFLs, three sacks, a forced fumble and a 29-yard interception return to the one-yard line. Although the rest of the PSU linebackers were relatively quiet, Bowman's performance more than made up for it.

Secondary - There were a few Temple passes that should have been complete with a better quarterback, and more than a few times TU wide receivers got behind the PSU defensive backs. Tom Bradley will have some words for these guys, especially since many of their mistakes were saved by the PSU pass rush. On the positive side, it was another good day for interceptions, as Tony Davis and Knowledge Timmons came up with nice picks. I thought I was being too hard on this unit, but no one gets a free pass next week.

SPECIAL TEAMS :: B-

Kickers - Kevin Kelly didn't have to do much, but did nail a beautiful 44-yarder. He looks to be completely healthy after some hip problems the last two season. Jeremy Boone had one shank early on, but dropped one inside the ten-yard line. Not a bad day overall.

Returners - It was another unimpressive day for Penn State's return men. Derrick Williams' fumble was saved by Anthony Scirrotto, and there were no real good returns by either Williams or AJ Wallace. I guess you can't get long runbacks every week, but the fumbles can't happen.

Coverage - Terrible. This was worse than Clark's interceptions and the fumbles on offense and returns. Although there were some great individual efforts (thumbs up to Timmons) to run down the Temple returners, the coverage units--especially on kickoffs--gave up way too many yards. It was like 2007 all over again.

COACHES :: A

The playcalling was as to be expected. The players didn't execute. Everyone's concerned about Joe Paterno's leg issue, myself included. But we have to just calm down. Team doctor Wayne Sebastianelli knows what he's doing, and wouldn't let Joe do anything stupid. I'm very interested to see how this develops throughout this week. If there's one thing anyone can agree with, Mike McQueary had a nice quiet game on the sidelines. There's no sign of this Spread HD slowing down.

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Evans and Koroma: Early Reactions

Well, the message boards are exploding since Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma were charged with misdemeanor pot possession today, and the bloggers are slowly--myself included--getting their posts out. Mike over at Black Shoe Diaries, and Adam Rittenberg at ESPN have some of their initial thoughts up, but like the rest of us, are reserving judgment until the real decision gets made--Joe Paterno's punishments. This has the potential to fizzle by the Illinois game, or explode like an atom bomb. Penn State's defensive line has been skating on thin ice, and now with the injuries mounting, the attrition is reaching critical mass. I happen to agree with what others are leaning to, that Paterno won't go so hard on Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma. But right now, it's a wait-and-see game.

Mike at BSD voices basically what every PSU fans is asking themselves right now.

"The big question now is, what will be the fallout? It's just a misdemeanor, so the legal fallout should be a few hundred dollars in fines and community service. Judicial affairs may step in, but for something this minor for first time offenders I would think a slap on the wrist is in order. Maybe attend a class on substance abuse and put them on probation for a year. But what we really care about is how Joe Paterno will react. Will he sit them a few more weeks or the rest of the semester to show he means business in the face of the ESPN headlines sure to be scrolling across the ticker in time for Sportscenter tonight? Or will he sit them this week and bring them back in time for Illinois and consider it time served?"

I would be very surprised if this is dealt with in the same manner as Phil Taylor and Chris Baker. Those guys got into a lot more trouble over the last 18 months. Oh yeah, and they hurt people! Let's hope Joe Paterno takes his time with this one, and makes a fair, prudent decision.

Adam Rittenberg is more credible than half the ESPN editorial staff combined, and gives a pretty straight forward assessment of the situation.

"After all the off-field problems at Penn State, this was an unbelievably dumb thing to do by both Evans and Koroma. They should remain suspended for a while longer. Dismissing them from the team seemingly goes too far, especially when similar transgressions merit one- or two-game suspensions at other schools.

But it's up to Paterno, who has taken his share of heat for the rash of disciplinary problems. He might want to come down hard, as he did with Baker and Taylor. My prediction: They'll be back on the field when Penn State visits Wisconsin on Oct. 11."

Earlier today, Rittenberg gave a somewhat scary--for PSU fans--rundown of the defensive line problems as a whole.

This is some scary stuff right now.

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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.

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Penn State wins, 55-13

Ok, so Syracuse isn't very good. They're quite bad. But Penn State--sans the early fumble by Daryll Clark--didn't let the hype get to them, and played with confidence. The offense is humming, and the defense has been surprisingly stout. How far will this team go? I don't know, but there's all the makings for a great run.

The Good: The offense cranked out 55 points. How can anyone complain right now? Penn State isn't going to win the time of possession. But by scoring so many points, it forces opponents to play catch-up from the beginning. Evan Royster didn't have a monster game, but his early runs set the balance for the passing game. All three Penn State quarterbacks had at least a touchdown pass.

The Bad: Clark's early fumble won't get a free pass next time. You can't lose the ball on the first series against Illinois, Ohio State or Michigan. Also, I was less than impressed by Penn State's return teams.

Overall: I thought it was a good game, but now is the time to start getting picky. Penn State relaxed too early. The wide receivers were fantastic, and the line didn't give up a sack, again. This was a good win over a very bad team. But a win on the road is a win on the road, and Penn State hasn't done so well away from Beaver Stadium. So I'm happy.

Tomorrow, I'll have the full Penn State game review, and a quick review of the USC/Ohio State game.

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Review, Game 2: PSU 45, OSU 14

Today I'll go over a few of the ups and downs from yesterday's win over Oregon State. I really don't think that Oregon State was that bad; Penn State was just too good for the Beavers. Some are already comparing this offense to the 1994 team. Not me, well, yet. Penn State "jumped on them early" as Joe Paterno said, and there was no better way to put it. After last week felt more like a glorified Blue-White Game, and then the "5204" incident, doubts began swirling around this team. Penn State answered with a complete domination over the Pac-10 visitors. Fans and the team need to stay grounded, even with a 4-0 start almost a lock. But we'll get into all of this as I review how each unit performed Saturday, and what we could expect for next week at Syracuse.

OFFENSE :: A+

Line - Another week, and still no sacks. The Oregon State D-line wasn't very good, but Penn State's O-line was even better. Daryll Clark just sat back in the pocket, had a snack, then threw when he was ready. I'll throw in the lead blockers with this, as guys like Dan Lawlor and Brett Brackett were laying out critical blocks all day. So far, the offensive line is the best unit on the team.

Receivers - There were too many receivers, and not enough passes to throw. It's a great problem to have. I was really pleased with the play from Jordan Norwood (116 yds, 1 TD) and Mickey Shuler (48 yds, 1 TD), especially coming up huge on third-down conversions in the 1st Quarter. Butler and Williams didn't get too many big plays this week, but weren't really even needed.

Quarterbacks - Daryll Clark really grew up this week. Any quarterback could have beaten Coastal Carolina, but Clark showed great poise and, at some points amazing, accuracy. We all automatically thought of Michael Robinson, but Clark doesn't throw like Robinson. Clark's better. The scariest part about Clark: He still has two more easy games to improve!

Rushers - If Evan Royster maintains this pace he'd finish with 1332 yards and 36 touchdowns! Yeah, so he won't score that many times, but the yardage is completely possible. While Stefphon Green and others didn't do much, like the wide receivers, they didn't really have to. Royster is the most fluid, smooth runner we've seen in a long time. Larry Johnson, Ki-Jana Carter, not sure yet. But so far, Royster's just as good.

DEFENSE :: B

Line - Missing three of the best linemen from 2007? No problem, we'll just make new ones. Josh Gaines is a defensive captain, and earned every part of it Saturday. He became a one-man show early, and set the tone for the rest of the defense. It's the kind of leadership Penn State needs right now. Unfortunately, the line got tired, and now with Jerome Hayes out for the season, there can be no more slip ups.

Linebackers - This group played much better this week, especially in pass coverage. Navorro Bowman seems to be out of the Paterno dog house (team-leading 10 tackles), and Josh Hull picked off a pass over the middle. Considering that OSU has much better athletes than CCU, the back seven played great. This will be an underrated unit throughout the season.

Secondary - Anthony Scirrotto had some monster hits, Drew Astorino nearly picked off a pass, and Mark Rubin came up big with his own interception. And those were just the safeties. While the corners were limited to underneath zone most of the day, the tackling was fantastic in the secondary. The only blemish was the OSU touchdown run, when half the defense couldn't bring the runner down. But overall it was a good outing by the defensive backs.

SPECIAL TEAMS :: A

Kickers - Jeremy Boone had a net punting average of 34 yards per boot, and Kevin Kelly only missed on a 60-yarder. The kicking game hasn't been a huge factor for PSU so far.

Returners - The return game didn't break anything real big, but didn't make any mistakes.

Coverage - I wasn't sure if last week's good kick/punt coverage was the result of a bad opponent. Well, Penn State has made good progress on this front. On five kick returns, OSU averaged only 25 yards. On three punt returns, OSU got only eight-per. On the season, PSU is allowing 18 yards per kick return, and six yards per punt return.

COACHES

Maybe this whole Spread HD thing will work. And after week two, PSU coaches said they still haven't let it all out? The playcalling was perfect for the personnel. We were treated to some Power-I, Shotgun, One-Back, Empty-Set and everything in between. Give Galen Hall and Jay Paterno their due, they called a great game. Let's hope they don't let Joe start calling plays next week on the road. The Syracuse trip should give us a real indicator how this team wants to play on the road. If things tighten up, it will be the same old. If we see the same as this week, look out Big Ten.

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Jerome Hayes tears other ACL

This is interesting. ESPN cut out of the Penn State game before this happened, so most of us didn't even know about it. Jerome Hayes was illegally clipped by an OSU player on a punt play in the fourth quarter. Sure, the Beavers ass was flagged, but he cost Hayes yet another season of his career, tearing his ACL. Yeah, maybe all the starters should have been taken out of the game at that point, but I didn't trust Oregon State either. They had a lot of good players made for come-back mode. This royally sucks, and I really hope Evans and Koroma can come back ASAP.

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Still... still injuried

Just when Devon Still thought he would finally get the chance to make an impact at Penn State, a few of his fellow Nittany Lions went ahead and snapped his leg like a used tooth pick. Ok, so it wasn't that bad, but he still has a broken leg, and will miss yet another season of football. I really bet Joe Paterno is happy he kicked Phil Taylor and Chris Baker off the team. Penn State can now barely field a defensive tackle unit for 2008. Not good news when we all saw the line get really tired against teams like Ohio State and Michigan State. I'm still optimistic about this team's potential. But I must be honest, it's steadily fading to reality, and reality really sucks right now in Happy Valley.

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