Maryland Recap: A Win Is A Win

James Franklin and Penn State are bowl eligible after their 31-30 victory over Maryland Saturday after noon in Baltimore. James Franklin and Penn State probably don’t care about that though, they care that they are 1-0 this week. Running back Saquon Barkley had just 60 yards after turning out 194 against Ohio State last week but the Nittany Lions offense scored 31 points. How? The wide receivers stepped up and made plays when they needed too. Chris Godwin led the way with 4 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown to help quarterback Christian Hackenberg pass former Nittany Lion Zack Mills for first on the schools all-time passing list. Hackenberg finished with 315 yards and three touchdowns.

The goal for the Penn State defense was to stop Maryland quarterback Perry Hills both through the air and on the ground, they couldn’t really do either. Ellis had 349 total yards and two touchdowns, but also had three interceptions, two in the 4^th quarter. Penn State couldn’t capitalize on the five Maryland turnovers but those turnovers stopped what could have been game winning drives late in the game. Carl Nassib added to his FBS leading sack total and tackles for loss now at 12.5 and 17.5 respectively.

Penn State fans had to hold their breath more than once in the fourth quarter. The back-and-fourth contest was heading towards a finish much like last year where Maryland kicked a last second field goal to beat the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. The Terps were about to start a drive when Penn State’s Malik Golden intercepted Maryland quarterback Perry Hills pass with 1:15 remaining in the game to seal the deal and give Penn State the narrowest of victories.

Penn State comes home next weekend to take on Illinois at noon.

Maryland Preview: Thorough Dismantle

Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 15, 2005. Two seconds left on the clock, Michiagn quarterback Chad Henne finds receiver Mario Manningham in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Michigan knocks off Penn State from the ranks of the unbeaten and ruins any chance they had of playing for a National Title. A week later Penn State scored 56 points in the first half against Illinois on their way to a 63-10 victory. They played angry. They knew they shouldn’t have lost to the Wolverines the week before. They knew they should have still been undefeated. Where am going with this? I’ll tell you, fast forward ten years later, Penn State knows they shouldn’t have lost to Ohio State last week by 28 points. They know how many chances they had to score more than 10 points. James Franklin knows it, you know it, and I know it. Minus the 194-yard performance by freshman running back Saquon Barkley, the offense sputtered. Penn State heads down to Baltimore to take on a Maryland team that could play the role of Illinois ten years later.

The Terps are second to last in the Big Ten in total defense allowing 457 yards per game, 196 of those yards are given up on the ground. That’s good news for Barkley as he looks to continue his sensational freshman season. As for the passing game and Christian Hackenberg, let’s face it; this season has been a disappointment thus far. For what we expected of him, it’s been a disappointment. But Christian Hackenberg is doing everything that is asked of him to get Penn State a win, because going 1-0 is the most important thing. Maryland is allowing 260 yards a game through the air so the opportunities will be there and if the running game establishes itself early, the opportunities will be there often.

It’s another week for Carl Nassib to add to his nation leading 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. Maryland is allowing 1.67 sacks a game, Nassib is grabbing 1.64 sacks a game. You can’t forget Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel playing next to Nassib so there will be many, many chances for the front four of Penn State to get to Maryland’s quarterbacks.

Special teams have been a topic of discussion for Penn State, but not the way James Franklin would like it to be. The punting situation is so bad that Franklin “jokingly” said there would be open tryouts. Some thing he should seriously consider that. Fans would also like to see a punt that doesn’t pin the offense inside the 5 every time so that DeAndre Thompkins can do something.

Penn State rolls through the Terps behind a BIG game from Barkley. The freshman goes for 200 plus yards and 3 touchdowns. Defense pitches a shutout and Nassib destroys the Maryland quarterbacks.

2000's All Excitement Team: Running Backs/Fullbacks

Last week we looked at the best and most exciting quarterbacks and wide receivers of the 2000’s. This week we look at the running backs and get into the offensive line. There are plenty of backs who could make this list but I’m only going to name three and even throw a fullback in there because these running backs needed someone to help pave the way. Here are the best and most exciting running backs of the 2000’s.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers, 2001-2009): You can make the argument that L.T. is not only one of the best backs of up 2000’s but one of the best all-time. When he was in San Diego and wearing that powder blue number 21 jersey, not many players were more exciting. The 2006 NFL MVP ranks 5^th on the all-time rushing list with 13,684 yards. He wasn’t the biggest guy out there but he could make guys miss and was one of the best that caught it out of the backfield. In his 2006 MVP season Tomlinson set the single-season touchdown rushing record with 28 touchdowns. What made him so fun to watch was that he had the total package; he never went down on first contact, he had the speed to outrun defenders and if you tried to tackle him up high he gave you a heavy stiff arm. Oh, and those uniforms made him fun to watch too.
2.  Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings, 2007-present): If you were to close your eyes and picture what the ultimate running back would look like and what traits he would have, Adrian Peterson would be there when you opened your eyes. At 6 foot 1 and 220 pounds, AP has it all; the speed, the power, the quickness in and out of cuts, the vision, and the list goes on. I won’t get into the off the field issues that cost him the 2014 season because that’s not what this list is about. I will get into the fact that after he tore his ACL and MCL in December of 2011, he ran for over 2,000 yards the following season and won the MVP. Peterson proved that he is in fact a robot and isn’t like normal humans. He still has some miles left on his tires and if he continues the way he’s going he could very well pass Tomlinson for number one on this list.
   
   
   
   
   
3.  Clinton Portis (Denver Broncos 2002-2003, Washington Redskins 2004-2008): Portis is an interesting running back from the 2000’s for many reasons; he stormed onto the scene coming out of Miami with over 1,500 yards his rookie season in Denver. After his second season he was traded to the Washington Redskins but continued to put up great numbers. His first season in D.C. dropped in production but he still put up 1,300 yards. Portis was also an interesting player to watch off the field with his outrageous outfits, but that’s what made him so entertaining. He called it quits after just 9 seasons, which is somewhat of a disappointment because he was such a good back, and an exciting one too. After it’s all said the Miami product put up just under 10,000 yards with 9,923 and 75 touchdowns.

Fullback-

1. Lorezno Neal (7 team from 1993-2008): Every great running back that comes into the NFL hopes they can have a Lorenzo Neal leading the way. While the fullback position is a dying breed, Neal made it last as long as anyone. Neal made 7 stops during his 15-year career, his most memorable being in San Diego blocking for the number one running back on this list LaDainian Tomlinson. During his career Neal accumulated over 800 rushing yards and over 1,000 rushing yards. He wasn’t flashy by any means, mainly because he was a fullback, but the way he would open up holes for his running backs was nothing short of amazing and powerful. Much like Tomlinson, that powder blue uniform definitely helped him.

My Open Letter

To many of you this is a repeat of what others have written about Penn State football. Many of you probably don’t care about this but you should. This won’t get as many views as all the others and is just another person giving their opinion about Penn State football. Regardless, here is goes.

Everyone seems to be writing an ‘open letter’ about Penn State football. Whether it’s about head coach James Franklin, quarterback Christian Hackenberg, offensive coordinator John Donovan, or anyone else we want to put the blame on. Some of those open letters are defending that trio saying that since we’re 5-2 (2-1 in the conference) we should all be happy and satisfied with winning.

James Franklin is worried about going 1-0 each week. Christian Hackenberg is worried about going 1-0 each week. And John Donovan is worried about, well, hopefully going 1-0 each week. What are we as fans worried about? Covering the 25-point spread against Army, our third down conversions (27-96 on the year), how far our punts go (just under 40 yards), and how many times will Christian Hackenberg get sacked (24 so far through 7 games) among many, many other things. Why though? Why are we worried about those things? Here’s my open letter.

Saquon Barkley is the future of
Penn State and that's a great sign for fans.

Penn State opened the 2015 season with an embarrassing loss to a Temple team that is now ranked 22^nd in the nation. Christian Hackenberg got sacked an astonishing ten times. The anger started pouring in before the first half even ended and these open letters started flowing; “Fire Franklin!” “Donovan Needs To Go!” “Bench Hackenberg!” The message boards were harsh but James Franklin’s message remained the same, “we’re worried about going 1-0 next week”, and up until they ran into the buzz saw that is Ohio State they were doing that. Junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg has taken his fair share of criticism since week one so let’s start with him.

I follow Penn State recruiting on a regular basis and when I first heard Christian Hackenberg was on the radar I prayed that we would get him. He was a rare talent that you knew right away was made for an NFL offense run by an NFL head coach. That coach was Bill O’Brien who of course is running the show for the Houston Texans. Many of the “experts” have put the 6 foot 4, 230-pound Hackenberg on the back burner with the heat turned down because of his “struggles” the last two seasons. Those struggles are due in large part to how the offense hasn't necessarily gone through his strenghts. His offensive line also has played a role in how his production and overall status among the "experts" has dropped. 

Tom Brady/Belichick part two? Christian Hackenberg and Bill O'Brien
are a match made in heaven. 

Hear me out on this one: 

I’ve had a theory ever since O’Brien left for the Texans; he is using two quarterbacks who let’s face it aren’t very good. He had some chances to go after a free agent quarterback but didn’t. We know his relationship with the Penn State quarterback and we know that the Texans aren’t very good. If the Texans end up with a top 10 pick don’t be surprised if the junior quarterback enters his name in the draft. Hackenberg is the best talent among quarterbacks in the country in many people’s eyes including mine but isn’t being used like it. Some would say that head coach James Franklin is using him just enough to win games and isn't showcasing his full arsenal because he doesn’t have to. Speaking of Franklin, let’s talk about him next.

James Franklin has said he wants a National
Championship, give him the time and
he'll deliver. 

I loved the hire of Bill O’Brien in January of 2012 and I loved the hire of James Franklin even more in January 2014. Franklin came from Vanderbilt after he turned the program around and had them ranked in the Associated Press and USA Today’s top 25 polls for the first time since 1948. The fifteen wins the Commodores would total in Franklin’s first two seasons were the most since 1927. What does all that mean for Penn State? Nothing, but James Franklin is the guy for the Nittany Lions even though many would beg to differ. He wants to build something that hasn't happened since 1986 and that's be crowned National Champions. I don’t see him as an NFL guy anytime soon but I do see him as Penn State’s head coach for the foreseeable future. He is lighting the recruiting trail on fire and while the product on the field may not be what fans want, it’s all part of the process. Franklin has one goal and that’s to bring a National Championship to Happy Valley and if he gets the right team together and continues to worry about going 1-0 each week, he’ll get that title shot sooner than expected. 

Finally, lets talk about where this Penn State program is now. If people expected this team to be competing for championships after three seasons of sanction related issues, those people are in for a rude awakening. As much as people want to say it’s time to move on from the word sanctions, you can’t. Not yet. The effect of said sanctions are still looming and this is the first year Penn State can recruit a full class and the first time we get to see some of the pieces James Franklin had brought in.

One of those pieces is the freshman sensation, running back Saquon Barkley. In his first game back from injury Barkley rushed for 194 yards on 26 carries against the number one team in the country the Ohio State Buckeyes. That isn’t easy to do and he made it look as easy as it could be. The 5 foot 11, 220-pound Barkley is the cornerstone in what Franklin hopes to be a championship team.

Believe it or not Penn State is trending in the right direction. It’s a process to build and sustain success at the highest level and James Franklin knows that. He also knows that the most important thing is the most boring thing, staying positive and going 1-0 each week.

Ohio State Recap: Same Song and Dance

Saquon Barkley had more rushing yards than Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliot (194 to 153). Christian Hackenberg had more passing yards than Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett combined (120 to 114), given those numbers you would assume Penn State kept it close with the Buckeyes. Hell, you might think they even won, but you’d be wrong. Penn State lost 38-10. While watching the game I scratched and shook my head because I couldn’t believe what was happening. Penn State had 12 third-downs and converted one of them. Many times it was 3^rd and 2, 3^rd and 3, 3^rd and 5, but yet they just couldn’t get the ball over the yellow line on my TV screen. It’s not that we lost because let’s be honest, no one expected us too, it’s that the play calling throughout the game never changed.

When your running back had the career night that Barkley did having and your quarterback only has 12 pass attempts, 2 of them being more than 10 yards, questions will be asked. Now I’m not a head coach but I’ve watched a lot of football and know enough to know that when you’re running game is going well, really well, you can usually open up the passing game. You don’t have to throw a Hail Mary every time, but maybe a play action here and there. 

I said that Penn State couldn’t commit penalties, and they did. Saquon Barkley had a touchdown called back because of a holding, six points off the board. Tight end Mike Gesicki dropped a pass on the sidelines with no one within ten yards of him. Would it have led to a score? Who knows but it would have kept the drive going. It’s the little things that can add up to a big win or a big loss.

Penn State’s defense did give up a lot of yards, 429 of them, but they gave their offense some chances early in the game. The second half was about Ohio State wearing down the unit, which they did with a mix of J.T. Barrett, Braxton Miller, and Ezekiel Elliot. While you could guess which play was coming next, they couldn’t be stopped. Carl Nassib did add to his sack total, now bringing it to 11.5, it didn’t mean much in a 38-10 loss.

One of the differences in the game was Ohio State’s punter Cameron Johnston who continuously would pin Penn State inside their on red zone and the Nittany Lions couldn’t escape. It was a theme all night that would give whoever was taking snaps for Ohio State a short field to work with making for easy touchdowns.

I’m not one that is going to snap and say we should fire James Franklin and his whole staff, we have to be more patient than that, but on the other hand I’ve seen this type of stagnant offense before leading to our defense having to do more than they’re asked. We all know that Christian Hackenberg isn’t the right quarterback for Franklin’s system but when you have a talent like Hack, someone that is looked at as a potential number one draft pick, you need to use him as such.

The lone bright spot from Saturday night is that we saw just how great Saquon Barkley is and great he is going to be. He’s the future of Penn State football and while I’m sure the coaching staff knows they can’t burn him out this early in his career they can’t lock him up either. If he can show that he’s capable of carrying the ball 20 to 25 times a game, let him run free.

Penn State opens as an 8.5-point favorite against Maryland next Saturday. I can only hope that this team plays angry and we see an Illinois-like beat down that we saw in 2005 after an unfortunate loss to Michigan.

Stay optimistic guys.