Most, if-not all of the predictions by the so-called experts were for us to Win Big!

Let’s just say I knew better coming off of a Big, emotional Win in week 1 on the road dealing with a 2hr rain delay going up against a rock solid Bowling Green team 1 week later!

Explanations anyone?!

Would love to hear what the thinking on this 1 was?!

And thankfully, we were spared.

Login to view embedded media

Both have never had a losing season, both have never been to the playoffs. One won coach of the year. Bob did more with less imo. Discuss.

What the sheetz is going on with dear ole state?

in the basement of the B1G!

PSU Defense vs. Bowling Green Film Study


See link above. Was glad coach didn't sugarcoat things this week because it addressed the elephant in the room head-on -- namely what the heck happened to the D in the initial 30 minutes and what flipped in the final 30? Gives a couple of reasons why things looked the way they did in the first half. Points out a couple kids specifically (DeLuca, Wheatley). But in the end, the buck has to stop at Allen. He looked like a guy who hasn't been a defensive coordinator in close to a decade (which he is) out there Saturday. Even if Bowling Green has a few fringe pros for a MAC team, that's no excuse for why things were so out of sorts. Can only hope this was a wake-up call. Anyway, enjoy.

I hope we have this in our playbook. Our quick screens to Warren have been working so would love to have this off of that play. Here, the QB fakes the quick out screen and then hits the WR, who pretends to block for the screen, and runs a slant instead.

Login to view embedded media

First round​

Pretty much my dream scenario if we don't win the conference--we get a home game against ND
Only thing that would make it better is if we were somehow 6 vs 11 and got Utah in the second round
I'd replace K-State with an SEC team but I think this is pretty legit so far. Iowa/USC are in battle for the Big Ten's 4th bid.

60 Minutes did a segment on psylocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms. John Hopkins and others are researching using it to treat various mental issues including addiction. Treatment was a six hour IV of a high dose.

Interviewed people that received the treatment with great results. One guy quit smoking, another quit alcohol, both said they never had the urge again. Others said they never had depression again. But some people said while under the influence they had a terrible experience with terrifying hallucinations, repressed memories from childhood, and more. But they said it was well worth it.

A common result was the loss of Ego and they said that freed them to be better people. Interesting stuff.

Could be a major step in treating many mental illnesses. You listening Mack Daddy?

https://www.cbs.com/shows/60_minutes/video/aVr4a9j7Sa5PhkHjhaE__e5QlMoU4WaX/researchers-experimenting-with-psychedelics-to-treat-addiction-depression-and-anxiety/

perhaps the best voice that ever lived.

Login to view embedded media

Here is my yearly U20 preview. I’ll try and post a few weights per week

57kg-

USA rep-Luke Lilledahl
PSU commit, #1 overall recruit
2021-Cadet worlds-2nd, 2022-U17 worlds-1st
2023-U20 worlds-2nd, U20 pan-ams-1st
2024-U20 pan-ams-1st

Contenders-

Lev Pavlov-AIN (Russia)
2023 U20 worlds-9th (lost to Lilledahl 1st round)
2024-U20 Euro’s-1st
2024-Russian nationals-2nd
Ranked #10 in FLO’s senior freestyle rankings

Vasif Baghirov-AZE
2022-U17 Euro’s-1st, 2022-U17 worlds-1st (beat Christian Castillo in finals)
2024-U20 Euros-2nd

Ankush Ankush-IND
2023-U17 Asians-1st
2023-U17 worlds-2nd ( lost to Blaze in finals)

Milad Valizadeh-IRI
2023-4th ranking series event-9th (lost to Zane Richards 17-6)
2023-Senior worlds-8th (beat #8 in seniors Rzazade 8-4)

Herbert Akapian-AIN
2021-Cadet world team
2023-U20 worlds-10th
2024-U23 Euros-5th
2024-U20 Euros-5th

Hayko Gasparyan-ARM
2022-U17 worlds-7th
2024-U20 Euros-3rd

Baiaman Kerimbekov-KGY
2022-U17 worlds-5th

Shotaro Matsumura-JPN
2023 beat Mitchell Neiner of WA 4-2 in a cultural exchange dual. That is all the info I could find

There is one huge question mark at this weight and it is the Japanese wrestler Yuto Nishiuchi. Nishiuchi won this weight last year beating Lilledahl in the finals. He still has U20 eligibility but has been competing up at 61kg where he won U20 Asians earlier this year. As of now he is not listed as competing at either 57kg or 61kg. No idea why because the 2 guys listed at those weights don’t have a ton of credentials. I’m interested to see if he does get entered as the tournament gets closer. If so, he is probably the favorite at either weight.

I think Lilledahl wins this weight. Will be challenged by Pavlov, Baghirov, Ankush, and Valizadeh. Valizadeh doesn’t have many results I can find but he did represent Iran at 57kg at senior worlds this year where he beat Olympian and world ranked #8 Razazade. He will absolutely be a contender. Lilledahl handled Pavlov at this tournament last year but he is super tough and wrestles a funky style. He just won U20 Euros so he is competing at a high level and holds wins over quite a few of the other top guys at this weight. Also took 2nd at Russian nationals this year. Ankush and Baghirov both have great results at the U17 level but are coming up to U20. I think both should be in medal contention.

Prediction-
Gold-Lilledahl
Silver-Pavlov
Bronze-Valizadeh
Bronze-Ankush

We're in Flagstaff for Day One of our grand 1-week tour of northern Arizona. I timed it around what I thought would be a no-contest for us this weekend...since I'll have to miss the game.

Anyway, funny episode at BWI security this afternoon involving my wife. After she carefully instructed me on what I could and could not put in a carry-on bag, she proceeded to step in it herself by packing some electrolyte powder for mixing in water to produce a drink akin to Gatorade. Her sister recommended it as a health-aid thing.

Well when security detected it at check-in, they really went to town on her, spending 20 solid minutes combing through literally every item in her purse and carry-on, then taking her aside for a female agent to do the most thorough pat-down imaginable...every inch front and back.

Then, no kidding, an explosives guy came out to laboriously test the powder. I'm watching this in disbelief while tempted to go over to the barrier and say, officers, please, the woman has 31 grandkids for crying out loud. Seriously, she doesn't fit the terrorist profile.

Anyway, they finally sent her on her way and allowed her to keep the powder. She told the explosives guy that her sister had recommended it. He goes: "Good idea. Blame the sister. We'll put her on a no-fly list." I didn't know some of these guys do have a sense of humor.

All off season I said Drew Shelton is a liability from reviewing a ton of film on him. I have 4 clips on my phone of him getting destroyed by Bowling Greens DEs. And that's just what I caught during the game live, without rewatching the game yet. It took until the 4th QTR for the coaches to finally realize this and put Rucci in.

You remember how bad Bryce Effner got killed by Ohio St JT Tuimoloau in 2022? That is what is going to happen with Shelton vs Ohio St. If he cant block Bowling Green DEs, he's not gonna hold up vs OSU DEs?

I don't say this crap to trash the kid. I watch a ton of film and Shelton is a huge liability. Plus, I WANT TO WIN.

If Nolan Rucci doesn't start over Shelton next game, criminal charges should be filed against Franklin.

The sad part is, knowing Franklin he'll go right back to Shelton as starter.

Highs:

• We won
• Warren was great
• Zahaydak looked solid

Lows:

• First half defense
• LB depth
• Offensive play calling in Q4

Thoughts:

The defense was all about rushing the QB and less about staying in gaps. BGSU was prepared for that and took advantage. We didn't adjust and move Carter closer to the center until the second half.

I absolutely hated the Q2 blitz when BGSU was 3rd and 14 from our own 15 yard line. PSU coaches always go for the big play and in this case BG took advantage and threw over an open middle of the field for a TD. Sometimes you give them 4 or 5 yards and hold them to a FG. They would have still been in FG range even if we got a sack.

I didn't like the Q3 4th and 5 call from the 43 yd line even though it worked (barely). PSU had just taken the lead and we would have pinned BGSU deep. I saw this a panic move by Franklin in a close game. After Allar's INT we turtled up on offense as Franklin is inclined to do in close games. Fortunately we got an INT and Singleton bounced away from initial contact and scampered 41 yards for the game winning TD.

I hate to say it but you've gotta recognize game.

Login to view embedded media

My son (23 yrs old) and daughter (18 yrs old) are visiting Europe and Italy. My daughter had a connection from Paris to Milan (son went earlier). She said the jet had to circle the airport for about 25 minutes coming in because of some weird issues that the pilot commented on and was not happy about. Then going through security it took 45 minutes because they only had 1 line and 1 person working it. Because of these delays, she missed her original flight to Milan. While in the airport she order an iced coffee and said that the people in the restaurant laughed at her. She has a very low opinion of France.

Then Monday my son was traveling on a train and put a knapsack containing $10,000 worth of stuff in the overhead bin in a train going from Verona to Venice. During a changeover someone stole it. He went to report it to the police who were in the middle of a siesta. Took 3 hours to make the report and he almost left. In addition to $1,500 of cash there was an old iphone worth $500 both of which were stolen. Also, his American passport. Additionally, there was a $4,000 Apple Vision Pro headset, which undoubtedly looked like a $20 headset to the thief. The thief left it in the knapsack as well as the passport and the thief put the knapsack back on the train and it made a trip back from Venice to Verona. Ultimately the police recovered the knapsack and gave it back to my son who obviously feels very lucky that he only lost $2000.

Overall both of my children share the opinion that Europeans are lazy. Hopefully that opinion changes as they visit Naples and London.

As a former Penn State wrestler, I was intrigued with the connection between the university's football and wrestling programs. My initiation into the tradition involved grueling preseason workouts, where we ran, climbed, and crawled through the vast expanses of Beaver Stadium. But the bond between these two sports runs deeper than shared sweat on those hallowed steps. Penn State has a proud history of athletes excelling in both football and wrestling, particularly in the heavyweight division.

In a recent conversation with Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Rich Lorenzo, he shared a telling anecdote that epitomizes this dual-sport tradition. "Kansas City Chiefs Coach Frank Gansz called the wrestling office, looking to bring Charlie Getty out for a pre-draft visit," Lorenzo recalled. "But Getty, focused on his pursuit of a national wrestling championship, declined due to the upcoming NCAAs. Coach Gansz was thrilled to learn about Getty's wrestling background and spoke highly of how much he valued wrestlers, drawing comparisons to former wrestler Curly Culp's invaluable hand-fighting and leverage skills."

These dual-sport athletes have left an indelible mark on both the football field and the wrestling mat. Here are some of the remarkable individuals who have donned the iconic blue and white for both sports:

Pioneers of the 1960s: Larry Holtackers and Ellery Seitz

The tradition of dual-sport excellence at Penn State dates back to the 1960s with athletes like Ellery Seitz and Larry Holtackers leading the charge. Seitz was a two-time conference champion in wrestling from 1963-66, while Holtackers made a memorable debut in Rec Hall, pinning his Springfield College opponent in 1968. Their contributions set the stage for future generations of Penn State athletes.

Jan Johnson: A Leader on Two Fronts

Jan Johnson, a standout linebacker, demonstrated his leadership when he stepped in as the heavyweight wrestler for Coach Cael Sanderson's team. In a thrilling moment at Rec Hall, Johnson filled in for an injured All-American and secured a crucial 3-2 victory, despite being outweighed by 50 pounds. Sanderson praised Johnson's courage, noting the challenge of facing a larger opponent in front of a sold-out crowd. Johnson’s seamless transition between football and wrestling highlighted his remarkable character and athletic ability. Today, he continues to influence young athletes as part of the football coaching staff at Virginia Tech University.

Steve Sefter: Dual All-American

Steve Sefter epitomized dual-sport excellence at Penn State. As an All-American linebacker for Coach Joe Paterno and a two-time All-American heavyweight wrestler under Coach Rich Lorenzo, Sefter was a force to be reckoned with in both arenas. I had the privilege of calling Sefter my teammate as he anchored our wrestling team in the Unlimited (UNL) weight class—where some competitors outweighed him by 200 pounds. His achievements underscore the caliber of athletes Penn State consistently produces.

Ron Heller: Electrifying Rec Hall

Ron Heller, who later found NFL success with the Philadelphia Eagles, brought unmatched energy to Penn State wrestling. Making his debut during my grad assistant year, Heller's presence electrified Rec Hall, winning his match in thunderous fashion. His versatility and intensity on the mat and the football field exemplified the dual-sport spirit that drives Penn State’s athletic excellence.

Irv Pankey: The Agile Big Man

Irv Pankey, an All-Pro offensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams, brought his size, strength, and competitive spirit from the gridiron to the wrestling mat. Pankey's agility and determination made him a formidable opponent in both sports, further solidifying Penn State’s reputation for producing versatile and tough athletes.

Mike Reid: A Renaissance Athlete

Mike Reid, who went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals and win a Grammy Award as a songwriter, was a standout in both football and wrestling at Penn State. Reid’s wrestling career included memorable moments, such as being carried off the Rec Hall floor after defeating Lehigh University. He was also crowned Eastern Wrestling Conference Heavyweight Champion, showcasing the breadth of his talents and his lasting impact on Penn State’s athletic legacy.

Charlie Getty: NFL Star and Heavyweight Wrestler

Charlie Getty represents another chapter in Penn State's storied history of dual-sport athletes. As a heavyweight wrestler under Coach Bill Koll and an offensive lineman for Coach Joe Paterno, Getty excelled in both disciplines. His grit and determination on the mat translated seamlessly to the football field, paving the way for a successful NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brad Benson: Super Bowl Champion and Versatile Athlete

Brad Benson’s success spanned both football and wrestling at Penn State. As an offensive lineman for Coach Joe Paterno and a wrestler, Benson laid the groundwork for a stellar 11-year NFL career, capped by a Super Bowl victory with the New York Giants in 1986. His achievements underscore the versatility and resilience of Penn State athletes.

Dave Joyner: A Leader in Two Arenas

Dave Joyner stands as a prominent figure in Penn State's dual-sport tradition. A three-time EIWA champion and NCAA heavyweight runner-up in 1971, Joyner also co-captained the 1971 Nittany Lion football team to an 11-1 record and a national ranking of fifth. His leadership extended beyond sports, as he later founded Joyner Sports Medicine Institute and served as Penn State’s Athletic Director. His influence reached the international stage as head physician for the United States teams at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games.

Greg Troxel: The Nose Tackle Turned Heavyweight

Greg Troxel’s journey from football nose tackle to top-10 nationally ranked heavyweight wrestler is a testament to his determination. After playing 10 games as a freshman, Troxel returned to the wrestling mat with renewed focus. His drive culminated in PSU's first National Dual Team Championship, where he secured three must-win bouts. Coach John Fritz recalls, “We knew when Greg came over to wrestle, he had a lot of potential, even after missing his freshman year.”

Larry Suhey: Hometown Favorite

Larry Suhey, a football standout and local favorite, also made his mark as a light heavyweight wrestler in the 191 lb class. Suhey’s performances energized local fans and campus fraternity brothers, cementing his legacy as a versatile and committed athlete.

These athletes exemplify the tradition of excellence at Penn State, showcasing the versatility, resilience, and dedication required to excel in both football and wrestling. Their stories are a testament to the rich athletic heritage of Penn State University.

Lambert-Smith is having a solid start to his season at Auburn outside him, however, no real major notable numbers for former Nittany Lions. Good to see CV finding his footing with Georgia State.

I spoke with rising 2027 athlete Matthew Gregory about his Penn State offer and visit this past weekend. He also discussed what is next for him in his recruitment.

"It felt amazing to get a Penn State offer because Penn State has been a team I’ve always looked at because I'm from Pennsylvania," Gregory told Rivals. "I love Penn State. I love the community and I like how Penn State is a winning football team."

More over at Rivals.com:

We fell slightly to 7 just because of how great the SEC appears to be
Nice to have a bye week then a game that should be over before the half. Chance to get some good reps