Game Thoughts and Photos

[Richard the LIONhearted]

*Was turned away at Gate D due to the impending storm, they closed the gates on us and told us to move to our cars. I was 10 feet away from entering into the stadium. Not sure about that decision and asking folks to move to their cars across open fields in a looming thunderstorm.

*PS survived against a more motivated and hungrier team. Psycho Narduzzi probably coached like his life depended on the outcome of this game and Franklin adopted his normal "this is like any other game mentality." Not much emotion from PS early. Pitt was swarming on defense and smelled blood in the water with a QB making his 3rd start. The huge blind-side sack and fumble on Clifford was due in part to lack of recognition by Sean. You have to assume he will get better at learning these looks.

*Pitt's defensive backs were shit-talking like they were Canes player during the 80s.

*PS does not challenge a defense horizontally like so many other RPO teams do: a lack of bubble screens etc to challenge press coverage. Such an easy concept that is just missing in this attack.

*Strange receiver rotations: one receiver group in the 1st quarter on a 3rd and 13 was Shorter Chisnea, Hippenhammer, and Bowers. Hippenhammer did not match the physical nature of the Pitt defensive backs and was rocked on a pass that would have been a first down but he couldn't hold on after being nailed by Ford. He is a bit of a liability.

*PS stood up against the run which was such a concern after the Buffalo game. They sprung some leaks in pass coverage though. An above average defense at present but not a hall of fame type group at this point. The 3rd and longs this unit gives up is aggravating.

*Pickett was a damn magician – this was much needed for the defense to encounter in pursuing an elusive QB with experience and accuracy.

*Still no in-quarter adjustments like CJF was calling for - they had to wait for halftime.

*Offensive protection problems weren't all on the offensive line, there was a D-End stunt (the exact same student Chase Young ran last year in the OSU game to stop the 4th and 5). PS was ready for it though and they were in place but Slade whiffed badly on the block.

*Can't believe the offense didn't follow-up on their best drive of the year and use Cain more. Really questionable choice. PS could have grabbed that game by the throat at one point and failed to capitalize.

*A lot of Pitt students and fans were in town. I didn't see any problems or any heat being given to them, it was a nice atmosphere.

Some views from EF ----> https://photos.app.goo.gl/orGp9Xt69KapqzMC7

 

[kijanacat]

JoePa used to say that a game plan reflected what a coach thinks of his talent vis a vis the other team, what you think they are willing to let you do and what you think you must do. It appears our coaching thinks the wide receiver game is what will take us to victory. We don't have a running game because they don't think that personnel will win for us. It appears we will live or die by the big play. As far as defense, it appears to have reached its level of competence. Good news on the special teams, though.

 

[JWB389]

*Was turned away at Gate D due to the impending storm, they closed the gates on us and told us to move to our cars. I was 10 feet away from entering into the stadium. Not sure about that decision and asking folks to move to their cars across open fields in a looming thunderstorm.

I made it inside the stadium prior to the gate closure. They gave a number of different options over the PA for shelter other than returning to your car. They claimed the reason for the closure was because the stadium was at capacity for a shelter in place situation.

 

[BobPSU92]

They made you move your car? I guess they needed to make room for the helicopters to restore order.

 

[Richard the LIONhearted]

I made it inside the stadium prior to the gate closure. They gave a number of different options over the PA for shelter other than returning to your car. They claimed the reason for the closure was because the stadium was at capacity for a shelter in place situation.

JW, I understand that there could be a capacity issue underneath. But, what would happen if a storm popped up during a game? It was not communicated that BJC or the Indoor Sports were options but I should have realized this. A clearer lighting policy for Beaver Stadium and where to go would be useful for everyone.

 

[JWB389]

JW, I understand that there could be a capacity issue underneath. But, what would happen if a storm popped up during a game? It was not communicated that BJC or the Indoor Sports were options but I should have realized this. A clearer lighting policy for Beaver Stadium and where to go would be useful for everyone.

Oh, I completely agree with you. There should be a way for the announcements to be heard outside of the stadium. There was a lot of room left when they shut it down, but I cannot imagine what they would do with 108K.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

I'm convinced the OL struggles do not involve a lack of talent - on some of the replays it's obvious that these guys don't have an understanding of who they have to block - that's on coaching. It doesn't help that the RBs are really bad in pass protection, something we're not used to because Barkley/Sanders were excellent in that respect.

 

[tboyer]

*PS does not challenge a defense horizontally like so many other RPO teams do: a lack of bubble screens etc to challenge press coverage. Such an easy concept that is just missing in this attack.

This is the big head-scratcher for me. PS has speed to attack the periphery of a stacked defense but they don't do it. They have the ability to throw to the backs out of the backfield but they don't do it. They've clearly got backs who can catch the ball but they haven't even tried a wheel route this year. And screens are completely absent.

I'm so sick of the bombs to the right side -- against good secondaries that is just a low percentage play. Especially if you're throwing to smaller receivers -- they need a LOT of separation and the throw has to be perfect.

Blackledge defended it, said Penn State needed to stretch the defense, but you can stretch the defense with a VARIETY of passing, not just the same deep pattern to the right side over and over again.

I have absolutely no problem with how the defense has played this year. (24 yards rushing on 25 carries.) They are right on schedule -- definitely have some things to tie down but they are ready for Big Ten play.

But the offense -- so much talent and so mismanaged.

 

[JWB389]

This is the big head-scratcher for me. PS has speed to attack the periphery of a stacked defense but they don't do it. They have the ability to throw to the backs out of the backfield but they don't do it. They've clearly got backs who can catch the ball but they haven't even tried a wheel route this year. And screens are completely absent.

I'm so sick of the bombs to the right side -- against good secondaries that is just a low percentage play. Especially if you're throwing to smaller receivers -- they need a LOT of separation and the throw has to be perfect.

Blackledge defended it, said Penn State needed to stretch the defense, but you can stretch the defense with a VARIETY of passing, not just the same deep pattern to the right side over and over again.

I have absolutely no problem with how the defense has played this year. (24 yards rushing on 25 carries.) They are right on schedule -- definitely have some things to tie down but they are ready for Big Ten play.

But the offense -- so much talent and so mismanaged.

I'm sure I could find it if I looked hard enough, but how many 2nd and 10's do you think we had?

 

[tboyer]

I'm sure I could find it if I looked hard enough, but how many 2nd and 10's do you think we had?

I have no problem with throwing on 1st down -- that's the best time to do it because the defense has to defend run and pass. And if you throw on 1st down, you will end up with some 2nd and 10s.

I do have a problem consistently throwing low-percentage passes. It doesn't have to be a dink and dunk passing but there has to be variety. You can't just keep chucking it 30 yards down the right sideline in hopes that you eventually get lucky. That's playground football -- that's not a Division 1 college offense.

Pitt had corners who could run with Dotson -- Dotson is a wonderful player but running deep down the sideline is not the best use of his talent because he is not blazingly fast or big enough to high-point the ball.

If they throw deep sideline, 2/3 of the time it should be to Shorter because he can out jump those corners and catch those balls. Chisena too -- has the size to beat a 5-11 corner. Then you improve your percentages.

But a bomb to Dotson -- it's a play that will work against a bad secondary but it won't work against good teams. Rahne should be developing the parts of the offense that will work against Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State.

 

[JWB389]

I have no problem with throwing on 1st down -- that's the best time to do it because the defense has to defend run and pass. And if you throw on 1st down, you will end up with some 2nd and 10s.

I do have a problem consistently throwing low-percentage passes. It doesn't have to be a dink and dunk passing but there has to be variety. You can't just keep chucking it 30 yards down the right sideline in hopes that you eventually get lucky. That's playground football -- that's not a Division 1 college offense.

Pitt had corners who could run with Dotson -- Dotson is a wonderful player but running deep down the sideline is not the best use of his talent because he is not blazingly fast or big enough to high-point the ball.

If they throw deep sideline, 2/3 of the time it should be to Shorter because he can out jump those corners and catch those balls. Chisena too -- has the size to beat a 5-11 corner. Then you improve your percentages.

But a bomb to Dotson -- it's a play that will work against a bad secondary but it won't work against good teams. Rahne should be developing the parts of the offense that will work against Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State.

Yea, I didn't explain myself well. It seemed to me while watching the game that we threw a lot of low percentage passes on first down, leaving us at 2nd and 10. I could be wrong.

 

[loosey goosey]

Thanks for sharing the cool pics.