Actual football question....Darnold, Lewerke, and JT Barrett....

[BrucePa]

The only thing standing between Penn State going 23-0 since the Michigan game (9/24/2016) was 3 games where the team held the lead in the 4th quarter and got absolutely shredded by Darnold, Lewerke, and Barrett. Three frustrating but winnable games where the defense couldn't get a push or catch a breath.

So....what will be different this year?

 

[osu68]

The only thing standing between Penn State going 23-0 since the Michigan game (9/24/2016) was 3 games where the team held the lead in the 4th quarter and got absolutely shredded by Darnold, Lewerke, and Barrett. Three frustrating but winnable games where the defense couldn't get a push or catch a breath.

So....what will be different this year?

The weather!? Other new players!?

 

[djr4rebs]

One of those guys is in the NFL and another finally exhausted his eligibility. That has to help...

 

[Option Bob]

1. Better pass rush from Simmons, Buckholtz, S. Miller, Gross-Matos, Joseph, Toney

2. Better blocking in the rush game from the OL and TE

3. Better play-calling/scheme on short yardage rushing plays

4. Faster, rangier LB play from Brooks, Farmer, J. Miller, Brown, and Parsons

5. Better coverage on passes/more interceptions from a secondary of Castro-Fields, Oruwariye, Wade, Scott, Taylor, Monroe, Sutherland, McPhearson, and Johnson

6. Experience from staff and players of having late leads and losing them

7. Quicker, penetrating DT play from Givens, Barber, Windsor, Hansard, and perhaps true freshmen Mustipher, Hawkins, and/or Culpepper

 

[BrucePa]

1. Better pass rush from Simmons, Buckholtz, S. Miller, Gross-Matos, Joseph, Toney

2. Better blocking in the rush game from the OL and TE

3. Better play-calling/scheme on short yardage rushing plays

4. Faster, rangier LB play from Brooks, Farmer, J. Miller, Brown, and Parsons

5. Better coverage on passes/more interceptions from a secondary of Castro-Fields, Oruwariye, Wade, Scott, Taylor, Monroe, Sutherland, McPhearson, and Johnson

6. Experience from staff and players of having late leads and losing them

7. Quicker, penetrating DT play from Givens, Barber, Windsor, Hansard, and perhaps true freshmen Mustipher, Hawkins, and/or Culpepper

Now, that's an answer that gives me some hope!

 

[Lionguy32]

The weather!?

In the case of Michigan State......so true!

 

[royboy]

1. Better pass rush from Simmons, Buckholtz, S. Miller, Gross-Matos, Joseph, Toney

2. Better blocking in the rush game from the OL and TE

3. Better play-calling/scheme on short yardage rushing plays

4. Faster, rangier LB play from Brooks, Farmer, J. Miller, Brown, and Parsons

5. Better coverage on passes/more interceptions from a secondary of Castro-Fields, Oruwariye, Wade, Scott, Taylor, Monroe, Sutherland, McPhearson, and Johnson

6. Experience from staff and players of having late leads and losing them

7. Quicker, penetrating DT play from Givens, Barber, Windsor, Hansard, and perhaps true freshmen Mustipher, Hawkins, and/or Culpepper

Lots of pluses, and each could happen.

To be fair, there are some deficits when comparing the 2018 team to 2017:
No Saquon, who was a tremendous all-around weapon
Loss of Gesicki who was a major target for goal line and big downs
Less experience at WR
Lack of starting experience on Defense, at LB and in the Secondary

I'm an optimist and think this 2018 team can go through the regular season with 1 loss and make the Championship playoffs

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

1. Better pass rush from Simmons, Buckholtz, S. Miller, Gross-Matos, Joseph, Toney

2. Better blocking in the rush game from the OL and TE

3. Better play-calling/scheme on short yardage rushing plays

4. Faster, rangier LB play from Brooks, Farmer, J. Miller, Brown, and Parsons

5. Better coverage on passes/more interceptions from a secondary of Castro-Fields, Oruwariye, Wade, Scott, Taylor, Monroe, Sutherland, McPhearson, and Johnson

6. Experience from staff and players of having late leads and losing them

7. Quicker, penetrating DT play from Givens, Barber, Windsor, Hansard, and perhaps true freshmen Mustipher, Hawkins, and/or Culpepper

5.a - Return of John Reid.

 

[Option Bob]

5.a - Return of John Reid.

Good catch. How could a true-blue fan forget Reid? Especially when considering his last name! [note my avatar]

It's a bummer getting old.

 

[joeparules]

The only thing standing between Penn State going 23-0 since the Michigan game (9/24/2016) was 3 games where the team held the lead in the 4th quarter and got absolutely shredded by Darnold, Lewerke, and Barrett. Three frustrating but winnable games where the defense couldn't get a push or catch a breath.

So....what will be different this year?

Winnable games:

1. USC loss: Bell injury, Bowen suspension, Darnold's clean jersey
2. OSU loss: late play calling, JTB playing the game of his life
3. MSU loss: weather, Thompkins drop, MSU glue fingered receivers in bad conditions

Difference (hopefully):

1. Greater DE depth = better pass rush late in games
2. No drop off in secondary despite complete makeover
3. Better LB play
4. Better offensive play calling/execution late in close games

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

I can't wait to see how about you?

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Winnable games:

1. USC loss: Bell injury, Bowen suspension, Darnold's clean jersey
2. OSU loss: late play calling, JTB playing the game of his life
3. MSU loss: weather, Thompkins drop, MSU glue fingered receivers in bad conditions

Difference (hopefully):

1. Greater DE depth = better pass rush late in games
2. No drop off in secondary despite complete makeover
3. Better LB play
4. Better offensive play calling/execution late in close games

Another MSU difference - hopefully no dumb-ass stupid late hit personal foul with the game on the line!

 

[PSU20]

Fewer interceptions thrown......

 

[rudedude]

How about not allowing a game changing punt block?

 

[TheGLOV]

The only thing standing between Penn State going 23-0 since the Michigan game (9/24/2016) was 3 games where the team held the lead in the 4th quarter and got absolutely shredded by Darnold, Lewerke, and Barrett. Three frustrating but winnable games where the defense couldn't get a push or catch a breath.

So....what will be different this year?

Their names on the back of their jerseys {again}

 

[Carl Spackler]

Good catch. How could a true-blue fan forget Reid? Especially when considering his last name! [note my avatar]

It's a bummer getting old.

No fan of the old west could miss on John Reid.....the real name of The Lone Ranger. Dan Reid's younger brother and legend when the Ranger squad was massacred by the fiendish Butch Cavendish gang, or so Butch thought. John survived with the skilled care of his boyhood friend, Tonto who happen by the scene of the crime in a fortuitous manner to save the day.

Yes, John Reid is a famous name and a defensive star. I bet he wears silver cleats and a mask under his helmet. Maybe.

Optimistically, given our youth and more difficult schedule, imo factoring in the youth.....10-2 regular season with hopes for an 11-1 mark. Our late September game with the buckeyes will loom large so early on the schedule. We really owe MSU big time. UM owes us. UMD & RU owe most everyone but RU is deficit spending while U of MD appears to be moving close to solvency, recruiting well for their program.

 

[PSUcup1]

Winnable games:

1. USC loss: Bell injury, Bowen suspension, Darnold's clean jersey
2. OSU loss: late play calling, JTB playing the game of his life
3. MSU loss: weather, Thompkins drop, MSU glue fingered receivers in bad conditions

Difference (hopefully):

1. Greater DE depth = better pass rush late in games
2. No drop off in secondary despite complete makeover
3. Better LB play
4. Better offensive play calling/execution late in close games

One quibble. It wasn’t a Thompkins drop IMO. It was a bad throw by Trace. A slant that was high and behind him (when you consider he’s running up field) Worst place to throw that pass. COULD he have caught it, yeah, but it would have been an all time catch.

That failed play was on the QB

 

[bsmith51]

One quibble. It wasn’t a Thompkins drop IMO. It was a bad throw by Trace. A slant that was high and behind him (when you consider he’s running up field) Worst place to throw that pass. COULD he have caught it, yeah, but it would have been an all time catch.

That failed play was on the QB

It definitely could have been a better pass but it was catchable. As a general rule, if a D1 receiver gets both hands on a ball, it has to be caught. Thompkins is a terrific player and makes that catch 95% of the time IMO.

 

[joeparules]

One quibble. It wasn’t a Thompkins drop IMO. It was a bad throw by Trace. A slant that was high and behind him (when you consider he’s running up field) Worst place to throw that pass. COULD he have caught it, yeah, but it would have been an all time catch.

That failed play was on the QB

Guess I was watching the MSU receivers catching everything in the same zip code and thought Thompkins should also. True it wasn't the best throw. Also forgot about the PF on Allen ... another killer in that game.

 

[Cletus11]

Pass Rush, plain and simple. Look at the OSU win at Beaver stadium, same exact situation except that PSU was all over Barrett and forced him into rushed passes or sacked him. Similiar in the Big Ten championship game and the ability of the PSU pass rush to get home enough to cause issues.

 

[SR108]

The only thing standing between Penn State going 23-0 since the Michigan game (9/24/2016) was 3 games where the team held the lead in the 4th quarter and got absolutely shredded by Darnold, Lewerke, and Barrett. Three frustrating but winnable games where the defense couldn't get a push or catch a breath.

So....what will be different this year?

Hopefully, we won’t take our foot off the gas the entire game.

 

[PSUcup1]

It definitely could have been a better pass but it was catchable. As a general rule, if a D1 receiver gets both hands on a ball, it has to be caught. Thompkins is a terrific player and makes that catch 95% of the time IMO.

just watched it again. wait for the 2nd replay to see the best angle

DT is about 2 to 3 feet in the air, arms extended upward and on a back angle as the ball is at his back shoulder (while his momentum is going forward). Id wager he makes that catch 3 out of 10 times

terrible throw and Trace would tell you so

 

[royboy]

Pass Rush, plain and simple. Look at the OSU win at Beaver stadium, same exact situation except that PSU was all over Barrett and forced him into rushed passes or sacked him. Similiar in the Big Ten championship game and the ability of the PSU pass rush to get home enough to cause issues.

Yeah, that's probably the primary reason. And it was worst in the 4th Quarter as the pass rushers get tired.

Better this year? Well, that would seem to be a function of talent and depth on the D-Line (and occasional blitzes). Is there a D-lineman who will be an All-Conference pick? Maybe Givens. But there does seem to be good depth and good young talent overall at D-end. I'm thinking there will be some improvement in the pass rush; how much?

 

[sluggo72]

just watched it again. wait for the 2nd replay to see the best angle

DT is about 2 to 3 feet in the air, arms extended upward and on a back angle as the ball is at his back shoulder (while his momentum is going forward). Id wager he makes that catch 3 out of 10 times

terrible throw and Trace would tell you so

well here it is, while it isnt a great throw the ball could have and should have been caught. Have to come up big at big times. That said there are like 20 other plays that with a different out come, the game goes PSU way. Including two hits Out of bounds not called.

 

[PSUcup1]

Not going to bog thread down anymore. Agree to disagree

 

[GregInPitt]

1. Better pass rush from Simmons, Buckholtz, S. Miller, Gross-Matos, Joseph, Toney

2. Better blocking in the rush game from the OL and TE

3. Better play-calling/scheme on short yardage rushing plays

4. Faster, rangier LB play from Brooks, Farmer, J. Miller, Brown, and Parsons

5. Better coverage on passes/more interceptions from a secondary of Castro-Fields, Oruwariye, Wade, Scott, Taylor, Monroe, Sutherland, McPhearson, and Johnson

6. Experience from staff and players of having late leads and losing them

7. Quicker, penetrating DT play from Givens, Barber, Windsor, Hansard, and perhaps true freshmen Mustipher, Hawkins, and/or Culpepper

Regarding 6 above, hopefully CJF will be a little more aggressive on offense in the 4th quarters of games against the better teams on the schedule. Just can't sit back on offense and punt the ball back to the other team in close games.

The pass rush and overall DL play late in games should continue to improve with increased depth. Just a player here or there at each position that is more ready to contribute early in their career will alleviate some of the drop-off in performance when injuries occur..... Just need to be able to use a true freshman or RS freshman in key spots when it is necessary, and bringing in the talent that CJF has in the last few classes, particularly 2018, should translate to better play early in the careers of some of the young players.

 

[Obliviax]

I would contend:

1. while PSU's pass rush was weak versus USC, they had great WR's. Going 1-on-1 was also a problem. But what lost that game was a) the offense going into a shell b) losing our best LB and c) an incredibly bad pass by #9 under pressure.
2. Against tOSU two really bad injuries to a DL and an OL...but, overall, playing to "not lose" in the 4th qtr.
3. Against MSU, and I talked to an MSU player's parents about this a couple of weeks ago, the rain delay was horrible for PSU. MSU had an entire staff of support, volunteers, and medical staff. The team even washed and dried their uniforms. PSU was stuck in a small space, had just eaten pizza and chicken, and was given 20 minutes to warm up after being cramped up for almost two hours. By the way, the MSU player is on defense and said the highlight of his career so far was tackling Saquon Barkley.

I'd like to add that PSU did not utilize the "play not to lose" game in the 4th qtr against Washington, so that is encouraging.

 

[GregInPitt]

I would contend:

1. while PSU's pass rush was weak versus USC, they had great WR's. Going 1-on-1 was also a problem. But what lost that game was a) the offense going into a shell b) losing our best LB and c) an incredibly bad pass by #9 under pressure.
2. Against tOSU two really bad injuries to a DL and an OL...but, overall, playing to "not lose" in the 4th qtr.
3. Against MSU, and I talked to an MSU player's parents about this a couple of weeks ago, the rain delay was horrible for PSU. MSU had an entire staff of support, volunteers, and medical staff. The team even washed and dried their uniforms. PSU was stuck in a small space, had just eaten pizza and chicken, and was given 20 minutes to warm up after being cramped up for almost two hours. By the way, the MSU player is on defense and said the highlight of his career so far was tackling Saquon Barkley.

I'd like to add that PSU did not utilize the "play not to lose" game in the 4th qtr against Washington, so that is encouraging.

Regarding #1, I wish PSU played more man to man coverage vs USC as that would have forced their QB to make accurate throws. Instead we played too much zone, his very talented WR's found holes or drew coverage away from certain spots, and the QB just rifled the ball into the open areas. With the CB talent that CJF has accumulated he should be playing more man to man. Lots of contributions to the poor D play, Bowen missing, not enough DE pass rush, ......

 

[sluggo72]

Regarding #1, I wish PSU played more man to man coverage vs USC as that would have forced their QB to make accurate throws. Instead we played too much zone, his very talented WR's found holes or drew coverage away from certain spots, and the QB just rifled the ball into the open areas. With the CB talent that CJF has accumulated he should be playing more man to man. Lots of contributions to the poor D play, Bowen missing, not enough DE pass rush, ......

well this didnt help....

 

[michnittlion]

Guess I was watching the MSU receivers catching everything in the same zip code and thought Thompkins should also. True it wasn't the best throw. Also forgot about the PF on Allen ... another killer in that game.

Thompkins really should have caught that ball. As you said, the MSU WRs were making plays, helping their QB.

The 2nd-and-10 play where McSorley was called for intentional grounding. To me, THAT is the most interesting play in that whole sequence. McSorley and Gesicki were obviously on the wrong page there.

I'm also sick & tired of people using the weather as an excuse for that game. They had (1) a roof over their head, (2) heat and (3) they also had food. More than I can say as a fan at that game. Some folk make it out like our team was sitting on the field in the cold, wet rain for 3+ hours dodging lightning bolts.

 

[Woodpecker]

Regarding #1, I wish PSU played more man to man coverage vs USC as that would have forced their QB to make accurate throws. Instead we played too much zone, his very talented WR's found holes or drew coverage away from certain spots, and the QB just rifled the ball into the open areas. With the CB talent that CJF has accumulated he should be playing more man to man. Lots of contributions to the poor D play, Bowen missing, not enough DE pass rush, ......

Except that man-to-man was turribul in the Ohio State game. Turn around Christian!

 

[Madsol]

Thompkins really should have caught that ball. As you said, the MSU WRs were making plays, helping their QB.

The 2nd-and-10 play where McSorley was called for intentional grounding. To me, THAT is the most interesting play in that whole sequence. McSorley and Gesicki were obviously on the wrong page there.

I'm also sick & tired of people using the weather as an excuse for that game. They had (1) a roof over their head, (2) heat and (3) they also had food. More than I can say as a fan at that game. Some folk make it out like our team was sitting on the field in the cold, wet rain for 3+ hours dodging lightning bolts.

One group of athletes gets to get out of their soaking wet clothes, have those clothes washed and dried, relax in familiar and well-appointed surroundings and eat food tailored to preparing them to compete in a strenuous athletic endeavor. Another group has to sit around in their wet clothes (or at least put back on the wet clothes after 3 hours), sit in a small space on folding chairs and eat take out pizza and chicken. And you think that didn't make a difference? Spoken like a Madden Football warrior.

 

[michnittlion]

One group of athletes gets to get out of their soaking wet clothes, have those clothes washed and dried, relax in familiar and well-appointed surroundings and eat food tailored to preparing them to compete in a strenuous athletic endeavor. Another group has to sit around in their wet clothes (or at least put back on the wet clothes after 3 hours), sit in a small space on folding chairs and eat take out pizza and chicken. And you think that didn't make a difference? Spoken like a Madden Football warrior.

It's called "playing a football game on the road."

I flew into Michigan for that game that weekend. The chance of thunder-storms in mid-Michigan on Saturday afternoon was WELL KNOWN 48 hours ahead of time.

That is why, before I boarded my Denver-to-Detroit flight on Delta on Friday morning, I packed a rain coat.

One could argue that --- if Chick-Fil-A sandwiches for food isn't good enough (which is ridiculous, but I'll play along) --- our coaches should have a contingency plan to feed them better food.

One could also argue that --- if these wet clothes were such a "burden" --- our coaches should have made sure that a second set of uniforms was loaded onto the truck before it made the journey west on I-80.

Again, that lightning storm didn't come out of nowhere.

 

[Cletus11]

Weather definitely played a role in the MSU game. The delay helped MSU, no doubt about it. They had much better conditions in the locker room. And the crazy wet field helped out MSU also as PSU had more firepower on offense and horrible conditions only negate that. Play that game in 'normal conditions and PSU wins 8 out of 10. But in the end, PSU could not get pressure on MSU QB in the 4th quarter and he got hot.

USC was about losing Bell. He was the athlete that could stay up with USC offensive talent and was by far and away PSU's best blitzing LB. Replacing him with a true frosh LB killed PSU's ability to blitz. Darnold also played the best game of his life and the USC WR's made some great catches.

OSU...that game I never felt comfortable with. PSU really never stopped OSU much that whole game, OSU just kept making mistakes. You knew OSU was going to come back, it was just did they have enough time and could PSU do anything. Obviously the 3 and out and blocked punt was the game changer. PSU just gets one first down there and then gets off a decent punt downed at the 15 yard line and I don't think OSU has enough time to make the entire comeback they do.

 

[Madsol]

It's called "playing a football game on the road."

Besides, I was in Detroit for that weekend. The chance of thunder-storms in mid-Michigan on Saturday afternoon was WELL KNOWN 48 hours ahead of time.

One could argue that --- if Chick-Fil-A sandwiches for food isn't good enough (which is ridiculous, but I'll play along) --- our coaches should have a contingency plan to feed them better food.

One could also argue that --- if these wet clothes were such a "burden" --- our coaches should have made sure that a second set of uniforms was loaded onto the truck before it made the journey west on I-80.

Again, that lightning storm didn't come out of nowhere.

You've completely moved the goalposts. I said nothing about whether Penn State could have/should have done something to mitigate the impacts of the storm delay. I called you out for your ridiculous assertion that the storm delay had no impact on the outcome.

Tell you what, show me the next time a team intentionally plans to eat take out food for their pregame meal and have the players sit around in soaking wet uniforms as a way to prepare for the game. Show me that and maybe I'll believe there was no difference between the conditions for MSU and us.

 

[michnittlion]

You've completely moved the goalposts. I said nothing about whether Penn State could have/should have done something to mitigate the impacts of the storm delay. I called you out for your ridiculous assertion that the storm delay had no impact on the outcome.

Tell you what, show me the next time a team intentionally plans to eat take out food for their pregame meal and have the players sit around in soaking wet uniforms as a way to prepare for the game. Show me that and maybe I'll believe there was no difference between the conditions for MSU and us.

I didn't move any goalposts. I'm just pointing out that "in your haste to attack me" (I know how giddy you were), you failed to point out that some blame for the MSU loss could be placed on our own coaches.

Wet uniforms? What on Earth would prevent us from packing additional uniforms onto the truck?

 

[sluggo72]

I didn't move any goalposts. I'm just pointing out that "in your haste to attack me" (I know how giddy you were), you failed to point out that some blame for the MSU loss could be placed on our own coaches.

Wet uniforms? What on Earth would prevent us from packing additional uniforms onto the truck?

so you are saying, the coaches should have anticipated a game being stopped for over 3 hrs, that they should have had some kind of meal arrangements made in anticipation of this, that they should have brought another complete set of uniforms including shirts, pants, under griddles, socks and of course shoes (which they probably do already pack). That the probably should have made arrangements to go someplace other than the visitors locker rooms, and had those arrangements in advance. They should have done all of this despite the fact that in recent memory no football game had been stopped for this long, or even close to this long
Yeah sure whatever.
Now if you prefer to talk about what the coaches can control, like the ability to block the backside #2 technique, then there is room for discussion, but not on being properly prepared for a 3 1/2 delay. For that, I'll give them a pass.

 

[michnittlion]

You've completely moved the goalposts. I said nothing about whether Penn State could have/should have done something to mitigate the impacts of the storm delay. I called you out for your ridiculous assertion that the storm delay had no impact on the outcome.

Tell you what, show me the next time a team intentionally plans to eat take out food for their pregame meal and have the players sit around in soaking wet uniforms as a way to prepare for the game. Show me that and maybe I'll believe there was no difference between the conditions for MSU and us.

By the way --- your "food argument" is a complete non-starter, because ....

the Michigan State players, during the delay, ate ......

wait

for

it










Potbelly! Take out food!

 

[michnittlion]

so you are saying, the coaches should have anticipated a game being stopped for over 3 hrs, that they should have had some kind of meal arrangements made in anticipation of this, that they should have brought another complete set of uniforms including shirts, pants, under griddles, socks and of course shoes (which they probably do already pack). That the probably should have made arrangements to go someplace other than the visitors locker rooms, and had those arrangements in advance. They should have done all of this despite the fact that in recent memory no football game had been stopped for this long, or even close to this long
Yeah sure whatever.
Now if you prefer to talk about what the coaches can control, like the ability to block the backside #2 technique, then there is room for discussion, but not on being properly prepared for a 3 1/2 delay. For that, I'll give them a pass.

Yes, the PSU equipment folk absolutely should have brought another complete set of uniforms. Of course.

As for food ---- well, we ate Chick-Fil-A and MSU ate Potbelly. Sounds like both of us ate "fast food." Advantage --- nobody.

Also, MSU officials were accommodating. They moved the PSU players into some nearby halls to give them more space during the delay. That's a fact as well.

 

[Madsol]

I didn't move any goalposts. I'm just pointing out that "in your haste to attack me" (I know how giddy you were), you failed to point out that some blame for the MSU loss could be placed on our own coaches.

Wet uniforms? What on Earth would prevent us from packing additional uniforms onto the truck?

You're the only one looking to blame anyone. It may have been 100% on our coaches. Who knows? But the simple, undeniable fact is that the storm delay played a role in the outcome of that game. How big a role? I don't know. But it played a role.