Halftime Report: Oregon St at PSU

When has Penn State looked this dominant? I know, Oregon State lost to Stanford, but this is really impressive. 328 yards in the first half, five touchdowns, NO turnovers and NO penalties. It's not just that Penn State has racked up the yards, or that the Beavers are totally impotent. Penn State played crisp, and generally mistake-free, outside of that one pass Daryll Clark threw right into the defender's chest. If the offensive line and other blockers continue to drive opponents into the turf, this will go down as one of the best front five to play at Penn State. Of course, 9.9 yards per carry, 119 yards and three scores for Evan Royster... Larry Johnson who? Ok, not yet, at least. But this is the kind of running Penn State needed this season. Good half. No, great half.

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Will Michigan do it?

I haven't seen momentum swing like this in a while. But then again, I haven't seen a college football game in a while. Michigan just scored on a short run... 23-25. Two-point conversion pending... FAILED. Now it's up to UM's defense to force the stop. It's pretty much a three-and-out or else. Good game so far. Michigan is really scraping by for the win, and it's very impressive. Honestly, I want them to win, otherwise a PSU win over UM will look bad. Yeah, I'm like that.

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Here we go!

For a moment, I wasn't sure if I'd get the game. But God must like PSU fans.

First Play: FUMBLE ON KICKOFF! Dammit! Why didn't Navorro Bowman just fall on it?! Come on guys. Safety here we come.

Nice pass by CCU. It wasn't a lack of coverage by PSU. Just a nice throw. I don't see them running too well today, though.

OK, I'm going to watch the game now. I'm not big on the in-game typing. But check back at this post... I'll leave comments as the game goes on. Go State!

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Beaver Stadium getting some new threads

According to an article I saw on FootballStadiumDigest.com, ANC Sports will be installing two very large LED screens in Beaver Stadium prior to Penn State's Aug. 30 kickoff with Coastal Carolina.

FSD.com: "The new signage will synchronize with various live sports feeds to distribute real-time information to the displays. The new system also can handle out-of-town scores, in-game team summaries, up-to-the-minute player statistics and many other stats. ANC won't have long to wait how people like the new setup. The first of seven Nittany Lion home football games will be played August 30."

ANC's president and CEO, Jerry Cifarelli, told FSD.com that the goal is to "provide one of the premier event experiences in collegiate sports." Great idea, but is that really what Penn State should be concentrating on right now? I'm sure we will all love having the live feeds from these screens, but is it at the cost of other things?

I'm not trying to get in the way of progress. Plenty of people were pissed off when the south end zone was closed off and the beautiful view of Mount Nittany was forever lost from inside the stadium, but we've all moved on. The Blue Band has moved its stadium spot about a dozen times, and no one really cares after first noticing. But to me, this new stadium display could take away something that we all look forward to each game. When Dean DeVore--Penn State football PA announcer--runs through the updated scores from other games, how much fun is it to hear everyone cheer or jeer for the winning/losing team? Yes, the new LED screens will offer the same score updates, but it won't have everyone's attention when the scores are announced. It just one of those little things that make the difference between college and pro sports. Most college football fans remain obsessively committed to the sport due to the tradition factor that the NFL grossly lacks, especially in the stadium atmosphere department.

We'll all probably forget about this by the end of that first game, but it's just one of the many little things Penn State has done recently which sort of raises an eyebrow. What if the administration put that money back into the school itself, instead of just pumping up tuition another couple percentage points each year? Sorry, I'm getting too preachy. I'll go now.

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In game update

So my prediction went right out the window. Oh well, it's supposed to be fun right? Yeah, well, so far PSU hasn't made this one fun. By the way, what the hell was that Kevin Kelly? A missed PAT? 7-6 IU.

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PSU/UM stream of thoughts

START, 1st QUARTER: This is it. Let’s go state.

5:29 left, 1st quarter: What the hell is Morelli doing? He looks like it’s his first football game ever. The offensive line is actually giving him enough time, but he’s holding on to the ball. Negative plays won’t win this game. If Penn State doesn’t get into the game, this one will get out of hand, quicker than it already has.

PSU 0, UM 7

Start, 2nd quarter: There’s that slant/post again. Has the PSU coaching staff learned nothing in the last year? Allowing 3rd down conversions will get any offense geared up, and giving UM the 3rd and 10 conversion won’t help. Scirrotto tried to knock the ball out of Arrington’s arms, but should have just made the tackle. Arrington almost got free. The offense better get it on this quarter.

14:48 left, 2nd quarter: Nice sack and forced fumble. Scrap needs to keep sending the pressure… What?! That call is bullshit. Forward pass? He was down, if anything. The refs are getting their game going early. Oh well. Let’s go Morelli.

9:14 left, 2nd quarter: OK, you got on the board. Morelli looked scared when he shouldn’t have been. Butler was open. The offense did give the defense a rest, and now need a good stop when UM takes the field. That slant was the perfect call, especially when UM took the bait and blitzed. You said it Brad Nessler, “should have been.”

PSU 3, UM 7

5:08 left, 2nd quarter: PSU’s defense is playing well when Hart isn’t in the game. That’s not good enough. Scrap needs to tell his secondary to attack the ball. There have been two balls so far that should have been picked off. Where are the turnovers? UM has forced one and could have had another. PSU needs a short field one of these times. Why does the field look so small when the PSU offense is on the field, and UM makes it look huge? Come on.

2:56 left, 2nd quarter: UM missed a 29-yarder, that’s something PSU usually does.

2:02 left, 2nd quarter: nice guys, no offensive pep. Three-and-out is not what you needed after that missed FG.

1:14 left, 2nd quarter: Timeout PSU. After two straight runs, UM is in 3rd and long. Now, this is a good opportunity for the PSU defense. Get the stop and get the ball. Scrap better blitz.

1:05 left, 2nd quarter: THAT’S WHY YOU BLITZ. Assholes. A 15-yard gain? That’s not acceptable. This is how PSU lost last time.

00:32 left, 2nd quarter: This is stupid. PSU is not playing like they want this game. Dan Connor is huffing and puffing. Maybe if the offense got anything going. Mallet just threw it away under pressure.

00:19 left, 2nd quarter: What’s wrong with PSU today? Oh wait, I know, they’re playing Michigan! They’re lucky Mallet just overthrew that ball in the end zone.
00:10 left, 2nd quarter: INTERCEPTION, PSU. OK, not like it matters. PSU takes a knee, and should be pissed off right now. END, FIRST HALF.

6:09 left, 3rd quarter: I can’t take this. PSU finally gets something going, and Scott fumbles again. They’re reviewing it, but I think it was out. He should be benched the rest of the year. It stands. UM ball. I knew it was too good to be true.

4:00 left, 3rd quarter: 3rd and 5. UM converts. Scrap is allowing the defense to get soft on 3rd down, and it’s not working. PSU is playing like they don’t care anymore.

3:47 left, 3rd quarter: FUMBLE, PSU recovers. Not that PSU will do anything with this. Pass incomplete to Hahn. Kinlaw rush for -2. Pass complete to Quarless for 11 yards. PSU better go for it. They are. This is make or break time.

2:20 left, 3rd quarter: Kinlaw rush for 2. Lucky he wasn’t blown dead where it should have, short. Pass interference on pass to Quarless. Now this is something PSU has to take advantage of.

1:20 left, 3rd quarter: 3rd and goal, PSU. Holding, PSU. UM is debating. Take the foul. PSU got a win-win right there.

00:23 left, 3rd quarter: 3rd and goal, again, 12 yard line. Pass to Bell incomplete. “Why do you throw a pattern to the four yard line?” asked Paul MacGuire. You said it, Paul.

14:00 left, 4th quarter: PSU’s defense is playing so soft, it’s ridiculous. Mallet almost had another 10-yard out route. If UM scores, it could be over for PSU.

13:09 left, 4th quarter: Why the hell doesn’t PSU try to strip the ball more? It’s 8 yards a pop with him. God, I hate Mike Hart. But actually, right now, I hate PSU more. You can’t just tackle him, that’s not good enough. You need to strip the ball, dammit!

11:24 left, 4th quarter: Crossing route to Mathews. First down, UM. There is no pressure on Mallet. And now watch, there will be two runs with Hart, then a short pass for a TD. Well, there’s a Hart run. Another Hart run. Now, will it be?

9:45 left, 4th quarter: Flag? Pass interference, PSU. THAT’S BULLSHIT! Why don’t the refs give it to them? Oh wait, they are. Here comes another Hart run.

8:52 left, 4th quarter: Another Hart run, TOUCHDOWN, UM. He barely got across that line. Doesn’t matter. PSU gave up.

PSU 6, UM 14 : You know, I honestly thought PSU was up for this game. Apparently not so. I was under the impression that this was the year they’d do it, Morelli would settle down, and the ground game wouldn’t matter. Well, Paterno and the staff is playing right into UM’s strategy. Why does PSU play so tight on the road? We’ll never win unless that changes.

8:02 left, 4th quarter: Crossing pattern to Williams complete for a first down. It’s about time PSU went to Williams. And another pass to Williams. Keep going.

6:58 left, 4th quarter: 38-yard long run, Kinlaw. Nice blocking. Kinlaw switched arms, unlike Scott. Royster in for Kinlaw. It’s make or break time for PSU.

6:06 left, 4th quarter: FIELD GOAL, PSU. DAMMIT. I know that if PSU scores a TD, it will mean the lead, but I just hate that they couldn’t get the ball in the end zone. PSU should be running screens, not draws and short patterns. Take some shots deep or use more crossing patters. Get a screen to Williams out of the backfield. DO SOMETHING!

PSU 9, UM 14 Hart ran for 93 yards to the left side.

4:40 left, 4th quarter: 3rd and 11. PSU needs this stop. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made it. They did. Where the hell was the pass rush? UM could run out the clock, with 3:30 left.

2:20 left, 4th quarter: 3rd and 11. This could be the worst game PSU’s played against UM since 2001. UM timeout. If PSU gives up the first down, it’s all over.

1:34 left, 4th quarter: 4th and 11. I don’t know what happened. Because the commercial break took too long, the clock is running down, and UM didn’t get any yards. Timeout.

This is 2005 all over again. No timeouts, full field.

Drive starts at 1:20 left, 4th quarter.

Morelli throws it away.

Morelli throws it away.

Good job.

Incomplete to Quarless. 4th down.

Incomplete.

PSU LOST THIS GAME, UM DIDN’T WIN IT.

PSU 9, UM 14

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Henne Out; Mallet In

Chad Henne is in street clothes. Mallet will start today.

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PSU 31 - UB 10

How could the PSU give up a TD against Buffalo? Oh well, better to get it over with now. Morelli is "looking" good. (remember, I can't see the game) Kinlaw is pacing the offense, and could be the POG. But I think that should go to Morelli, as of now. That could change. This game has made the RB position race very interesting for this week before going to the Pig House. You better shape up quickly PSU.

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In game update

PSU is sucking right now. If there was one thing they had to do, it was protect the football. They haven't, mainly Scott. If PSU wants to contend this year, fumbling the ball will not get them there. It's too bad I can't watch the game. Actually, I'm not sure it would be much better. There's no excuse for this performance so far. Kinlaw has been a nice surprise. 3-3.

Also, watching the MSU/Pitt game. Dave Pasch and Andre Ware don't exactly make a dynamic team. Pasch just said "there's no dominant team in the Big Ten." Bullshit! I know, I try not to curse here. But that was bad. Just because UM sucks, does NOT mean there's not dominant team. If they need a good broadcaster, I'm free next weekend.

OK, so PSU scored since I started writing this. Pass to Quarless. Paterno knows when it's time to forget about punishments and go to the play makers. 10-3 PSU.

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No. 14 PSU vs. ND update

No. 14 PSU 24, ND 10

End 3rd Quarter: Notre Dame has given up. There's no life, no effort being put forth by the Irish offense. A run play on 3rd and 26? That just proves Chuckie Weis doesn't think his team can win this game. I'm happy. Other than Anthony Morelli's dumbass moves in the first half, the offense was OK. The defense has been phenomenal, allowing 85 TOTAL yards in three quarters. PSU is showing why it is the better team. The mistakes have been eliminated in the second half, and the Irish just get worse. PSU can't let up. They need at least 10 more points. Will people shut up now about Derrick Williams? We'll see...

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UO vs. UM update

UO 32, UM 7.

This is outstanding. PSU can only hope UM is this pathetic on offense in two weeks. QB Henne looks scared in the pocket. UO is getting pressure on him. There is no reason PSU can't do the same. But, let's just worry about the game that starts 47 minutes from now.

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In game update

6:00 left in the third quarter. Rutgers 34, Navy 17.

I miss New Jersey.

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