I watched the game over and here is every offensive play with commentary

[PrideofPA]

This is every offensive play by Penn State with commentary by Brock Huard in quotation marks. I added some commentary in parentheses.


1: Jet sweep right (33 yard gain)

2: Quick stop route to the right (Lewis dropped the ball)

3: Hand off up the middle (5 yards)

4: 7 yard out route to Lewis (1st down)

5: Quick dump pass to the left (incomplete, bad pass)

6: Quick comeback route to the left (5 yard gain lewis)

7: Short pass over the middle to Lewis (drop #2 by Lewis)

8: Field Goal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Fake Jet sweep left, hand-off up the middle (4 yards)

10. Hack under pressure, runs up the middle for 5 yards

11. Hand off up the middle (3 yards)

12. Seem route up the middle to Gesicki (tipped, incomplete)

13. Hand off up the middle (2 yards)

14. Seem route up the middle of the field (15 yards)

15. Read option type hand off up the middle (41 yard TD Lynch)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16. Play action (Sack #1)
“You’ve gotta do your best to feel the pressure and throw it away”

17. 2nd & 16: Handoff up the middle (4 yards)

18. 3rd & 12: Screen pass to Lynch behind the line of scrimmage to the left of the field….no gain. (Hackenberg had plenty of time...this play had absolutely NO CHANCE of getting a 1st down anyhow)

PUNT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Play action (SACK #2…Paris Palmer’s fault -7 yards)

20. Short throw to the right to Gesicki (2 yards)

21. Jailbreak sack (defender came up the middle) (sack #3)

PUNT

22. Fake jet sweep right, Lynch up middle (3 yards)

23. SACK #4 (Both Defensive ends ran right in)

24. 3rd & 11: Hack overthrows Hamilton down the left side of the field for a SURE Touchdown
“You’ve gotta put more air under the ball”. (Would have been 17-0). Hack’s fault. Game changing mistake by Mel Kiper's #1 QB

PUNT
----------------------------------------------------------

2:19 Left in the half, Penn State up 10-7.

25. Hand off up the middle (Holding on Gaia) (Wow...great 2 minute offensive strategy?!)

26. 1st & 20: Hand off right for 6 yards (OK I guess we'll just run the clock out and surrender?)

27. Hack overthrows Hamilton on the left sideline, the ball sails out of bounds
“He airmailed that one…Penn State is in no hurry, it looks like they are trying to run the clock out. There is no tempo or rhythm”

28. False Start Mangiro

29. 3rd &19: Godwin runs a 4 yard comeback route to the left and goes out of bounds to help Temple out
(This play had no chance at a first down anyhow.)

“I would love to see a more definitive plan on offense….the sacks are a mix of everyone’s fault…They need GO routes…take a shot DOWN FIELD” says Huard

PUNT
---------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd Quarter

30. Fake jet sweep right, Lynch up the middle (16 yards)

31. Read option type hand off up the middle (1 yard)

32: 2nd & 9: Handoff up the middle (2 yards)

33: 3rd & 7: Errant throw to Blacknall 3 yards beyond the line of scrimmage
(This play had no chance at a first down had it been complete!)

PUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

34. Fake jet sweep to the left, hand off up the middle (1 yard).

“Brock, I can see you shaking your head. You are dismayed at the play calling.”
“You’ve gotta take a shot!...Where are your difference makers (names receivers) on the perimeter?”
(It's obvious that Brock Huard thinks John Donovan is a moron at this point)

35. Quck slant to Hamilton (5 yards).

“IT’S UNACCEPTABLE to have your longest pass play of the day as 18 yards for where Hackenberg is in his development. You’ve gotta be able to STRETCH THE FIELD and he is capable of doing it…HE CAN MAKE EVERY THROW.”
(Huard is openly bewildered with this offensive game plan, does Donovan think he has an 8th grader at QB?)

36. 3rd & 4: Hackenberg dumps a ball 1 yard beyond the line of scrimmage to the running back.

“Penn State had ONE on ONE on the outside on that one (but it wasn’t exploited)".
(Again another 3rd down play that has no chance at a first down)

PUNT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37: Jet sweep left (no gain)

38: Incomplete to Godwin along the sideline…foot was out of bounds upon further review.

39: SACK up the middle.
Brock says: “It feels as if THERE IS VERY LITTLE PLAN on offense”

PUNT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40. Quick out to the right to Godwin (8 yards)

41. Quick out route for Godwin to the right for an interception and long run back.
(THIS WAS THE SAME EXACT PLAY as the previous one and the Temple Defender read it perfectly...wow what a guru you are Donvan! What a play call!!!)

Brock says: “He saw that whole play right in front of him”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Score is 17-10 Temple

42. Jet sweep right (false start before play develops)

43. Fake jet sweep right, hand off up the middle (-5 yards)
(WOW, same play as what was called on the false start…Temple knew what was coming.)

44. Screen pass to the right to Polk (no gain)

Brock says: “There is NO FEAR in Temple’s defenders and why should there be? Penn State is taking no shots down field and THE OFFENSE LOOKS COMPLETELY LOST.”

45. 3rd & 15: SACK on a 2 man rush.
“This is unexcusable (to give up a sack while 2 defenders are rushing). "5 guys can’t block 2…embarrassing” “ALL PHASES OF THIS OFFENSE ARE DISCOMBOBULATED” You go Brock, tell it like it is.

PUNT
-------------------------------------------------------------------

(Down 24-10 11:08 left)

46: Hand off up middle 4 yards (Some sense of urgency here Donovan, lets kills some more clock!)

“This game is the same game as last year vs. Temple. The offense is in a box, there are no shots downfield, there is no explosiveness. It should be a different script this year and it’s not.”

47: Sack for the 7th time

48: 3 & 12: A short throw 4 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Screen pass. No gain.
(This play had no chance at a first down anyhow)

“The linebacker runs to the catch area before the running back does. You can’t fool experienced players. He’s running the route as the receiver does.”

Punt
_____________________________________________

(down 27-10 5:33 left)

49: Deep Ball to Godwin down the left side of the field (Big gain) (Holy Shit...we threw the ball down field and it worked. Who woulda thunk it?!?!?!?)

Brock mockingly says: “How difficult was that? You got one on one, you put some air under the ball and let your guy go make a play. I apologize for the exasperation on my face as I was looking at you during that pass, but where has that been? That’s a gift that Hackenberg has, but that’s just the 2nd attempt at a pass over 15 yards down the field”

50. False start.

51. Throw to no man’s land (I don't even know what this play was supposed to be)

52. (2nd n 15) 8th sack of the day on a 4 man rush.

“If you’re a penn state fan you must be dreading this season because noting has been improved”. “You played right into the hands of Temple’s defense” “total complete offensive meltdown” (Brock, you dream crusher)

53. (3rd n 22): 8 yard route to the left, overthrown.

54. (4th & 22): Errant throw 7 yards down the field.


4:29 left and Punt. I'm not going any further with this.Here is where I end my analysis of the game. I hope I illustrated the following points:

1) No rhythm or aggressiveness on offense. They looked “discombobulated”

2) John Donovan’s offensive scheme handcuffs Christian Hackenberg by taking no shots downfield or putting air under the ball. They make him throw every throw either behind the line of scrimmage or “in a box”. He is basically muzzling a gun slinger.


3) When Hackenberg does throw the ball downfield and puts air under the ball it either goes for a big gain or is overthrown. He had a chance to do this TWO times all game. TWO TIMES!!!

4) Donovan made absolutely NO CHANGES to the game plan vs. Temple than the previous year and got the same results. Temple knew what was coming because they were mostly all back from last year

5) Donovan runs the same plays back-to-back

6) RARELY IF EVER does Hackenberg throw beyond the first down marker on 3rd down. I don't know if this is by design or what...but it is inexcusable. Are Donovan's routes on 3rd downs still in a little box? This is terrible.

7) Every play is from the shotgun. Was this the case under O'Brien when Hack was actually good?

8) FIRE THIS MAN!!!!!

 

[fairgambit]

I don't agree with your conclusion, or necessarily all your commentary, but I gave you a "like" for taking the time and effort to spell it all out. It added to my own impressions of the game and gave me additional perspective.

 

[psu00]

This is every offensive play by Penn State with commentary by Brock Huard in quotation marks. I added some commentary in parentheses.


1: Jet sweep right (33 yard gain)

2: Quick stop route to the right (Lewis dropped the ball)

3: Hand off up the middle (5 yards)

4: 7 yard out route to Lewis (1st down)

5: Quick dump pass to the left (incomplete, bad pass)

6: Quick comeback route to the left (5 yard gain lewis)

7: Short pass over the middle to Lewis (drop #2 by Lewis)

8: Field Goal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Fake Jet sweep left, hand-off up the middle (4 yards)

10. Hack under pressure, runs up the middle for 5 yards

11. Hand off up the middle (3 yards)

12. Seem route up the middle to Gesicki (tipped, incomplete)

13. Hand off up the middle (2 yards)

14. Seem route up the middle of the field (15 yards)

15. Read option type hand off up the middle (41 yard TD Lynch)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16. Play action (Sack #1)
“You’ve gotta do your best to feel the pressure and throw it away”

17. 2nd & 16: Handoff up the middle (4 yards)

18. 3rd & 12: Screen pass to Lynch behind the line of scrimmage to the left of the field….no gain. (Hackenberg had plenty of time...this play had absolutely NO CHANCE of getting a 1st down anyhow)

PUNT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Play action (SACK #2…Paris Palmer’s fault -7 yards)

20. Short throw to the right to Gesicki (2 yards)

21. Jailbreak sack (defender came up the middle) (sack #3)

PUNT

22. Fake jet sweep right, Lynch up middle (3 yards)

23. SACK #4 (Both Defensive ends ran right in)

24. 3rd & 11: Hack overthrows Hamilton down the left side of the field for a SURE Touchdown
“You’ve gotta put more air under the ball”. (Would have been 17-0). Hack’s fault. Game changing mistake by Mel Kiper's #1 QB

PUNT
----------------------------------------------------------

2:19 Left in the half, Penn State up 10-7.

25. Hand off up the middle (Holding on Gaia) (Wow...great 2 minute offensive strategy?!)

26. 1st & 20: Hand off right for 6 yards (OK I guess we'll just run the clock out and surrender?)

27. Hack overthrows Hamilton on the left sideline, the ball sails out of bounds
“He airmailed that one…Penn State is in no hurry, it looks like they are trying to run the clock out. There is no tempo or rhythm”

28. False Start Mangiro

29. 3rd &19: Godwin runs a 4 yard comeback route to the left and goes out of bounds to help Temple out
(This play had no chance at a first down anyhow.)

“I would love to see a more definitive plan on offense….the sacks are a mix of everyone’s fault…They need GO routes…take a shot DOWN FIELD” says Huard

PUNT
---------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd Quarter

30. Fake jet sweep right, Lynch up the middle (16 yards)

31. Read option type hand off up the middle (1 yard)

32: 2nd & 9: Handoff up the middle (2 yards)

33: 3rd & 7: Errant throw to Blacknall 3 yards beyond the line of scrimmage
(This play had no chance at a first down had it been complete!)

PUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

34. Fake jet sweep to the left, hand off up the middle (1 yard).

“Brock, I can see you shaking your head. You are dismayed at the play calling.”
“You’ve gotta take a shot!...Where are your difference makers (names receivers) on the perimeter?”
(It's obvious that Brock Huard thinks John Donovan is a moron at this point)

35. Quck slant to Hamilton (5 yards).

“IT’S UNACCEPTABLE to have your longest pass play of the day as 18 yards for where Hackenberg is in his development. You’ve gotta be able to STRETCH THE FIELD and he is capable of doing it…HE CAN MAKE EVERY THROW.”
(Huard is openly bewildered with this offensive game plan, does Donovan think he has an 8th grader at QB?)

36. 3rd & 4: Hackenberg dumps a ball 1 yard beyond the line of scrimmage to the running back.

“Penn State had ONE on ONE on the outside on that one (but it wasn’t exploited)".
(Again another 3rd down play that has no chance at a first down)

PUNT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37: Jet sweep left (no gain)

38: Incomplete to Godwin along the sideline…foot was out of bounds upon further review.

39: SACK up the middle.
Brock says: “It feels as if THERE IS VERY LITTLE PLAN on offense”

PUNT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40. Quick out to the right to Godwin (8 yards)

41. Quick out route for Godwin to the right for an interception and long run back.
(THIS WAS THE SAME EXACT PLAY as the previous one and the Temple Defender read it perfectly...wow what a guru you are Donvan! What a play call!!!)

Brock says: “He saw that whole play right in front of him”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Score is 17-10 Temple

42. Jet sweep right (false start before play develops)

43. Fake jet sweep right, hand off up the middle (-5 yards)
(WOW, same play as what was called on the false start…Temple knew what was coming.)

44. Screen pass to the right to Polk (no gain)

Brock says: “There is NO FEAR in Temple’s defenders and why should there be? Penn State is taking no shots down field and THE OFFENSE LOOKS COMPLETELY LOST.”

45. 3rd & 15: SACK on a 2 man rush.
“This is unexcusable (to give up a sack while 2 defenders are rushing). "5 guys can’t block 2…embarrassing” “ALL PHASES OF THIS OFFENSE ARE DISCOMBOBULATED” You go Brock, tell it like it is.

PUNT
-------------------------------------------------------------------

(Down 24-10 11:08 left)

46: Hand off up middle 4 yards (Some sense of urgency here Donovan, lets kills some more clock!)

“This game is the same game as last year vs. Temple. The offense is in a box, there are no shots downfield, there is no explosiveness. It should be a different script this year and it’s not.”

47: Sack for the 7th time

48: 3 & 12: A short throw 4 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Screen pass. No gain.
(This play had no chance at a first down anyhow)

“The linebacker runs to the catch area before the running back does. You can’t fool experienced players. He’s running the route as the receiver does.”

Punt
_____________________________________________

(down 27-10 5:33 left)

49: Deep Ball to Godwin down the left side of the field (Big gain) (Holy Shit...we threw the ball down field and it worked. Who woulda thunk it?!?!?!?)

Brock mockingly says: “How difficult was that? You got one on one, you put some air under the ball and let your guy go make a play. I apologize for the exasperation on my face as I was looking at you during that pass, but where has that been? That’s a gift that Hackenberg has, but that’s just the 2nd attempt at a pass over 15 yards down the field”

50. False start.

51. Throw to no man’s land (I don't even know what this play was supposed to be)

52. (2nd n 15) 8th sack of the day on a 4 man rush.

“If you’re a penn state fan you must be dreading this season because noting has been improved”. “You played right into the hands of Temple’s defense” “total complete offensive meltdown” (Brock, you dream crusher)

53. (3rd n 22): 8 yard route to the left, overthrown.

54. (4th & 22): Errant throw 7 yards down the field.


4:29 left and Punt. I'm not going any further with this.Here is where I end my analysis of the game. I hope I illustrated the following points:

1) No rhythm or aggressiveness on offense. They looked “discombobulated”

2) John Donovan’s offensive scheme handcuffs Christian Hackenberg by taking no shots downfield or putting air under the ball. They make him throw every throw either behind the line of scrimmage or “in a box”. He is basically muzzling a gun slinger.


3) When Hackenberg does throw the ball downfield and puts air under the ball it either goes for a big gain or is overthrown. He had a chance to do this TWO times all game. TWO TIMES!!!

4) Donovan made absolutely NO CHANGES to the game plan vs. Temple than the previous year and got the same results. Temple knew what was coming because they were mostly all back from last year

5) Donovan runs the same plays back-to-back

6) RARELY IF EVER does Hackenberg throw beyond the first down marker on 3rd down. I don't know if this is by design or what...but it is inexcusable. Are Donovan's routes on 3rd downs still in a little box? This is terrible.

7) Every play is from the shotgun. Was this the case under O'Brien when Hack was actually good?

8) FIRE THIS MAN!!!!!

The repeat plays back to back and jet sweep on every first down was crazy. I also noticed during the game that on 3rd down Hack always threw a pattern short of the first down marker. Rereading those plays now- the absolute lack of an offensive game plan is more frustrating than ever.

 

[JayWye]

The repeat plays back to back and jet sweep on every first down was crazy. I also noticed during the game that on 3rd down Hack always threw a pattern short of the first down marker. Rereading those plays now- the absolute lack of an offensive game plan is more frustrating than ever.

Appreciate the effort...the story of the game, IMO, was PSU's continuing inability to handle the blitz due to OL issues and Hack's lack of mobility. That probably had a lot to do with the play calling...doesn't necessarily justify it, but may explain it. Should the blitzing have been anticipated?? Absolutely. That said, to be "fair and balanced" here, it would be interesting to hear Donovan's side of it. The guy's not completely stupid, so there had to have been some rationale for his strategy...or lack thereof.

 

[psu00]

Appreciate the effort...the story of the game, IMO, was PSU's continuing inability to handle the blitz due to OL issues and Hack's lack of mobility. That probably had a lot to do with the play calling...doesn't necessarily justify it, but may explain it. Should the blitzing have been anticipated?? Absolutely. That said, to be "fair and balanced" here, it would be interesting to hear Donovan's side of it. The guy's not completely stupid, so there had to have been some rationale for his strategy...or lack thereof.

I would love to hear his explanation for the lack of strategy. . That said, I'm pretty sure we won't hear anything from him and Franklin will do the 'Texas 2 step' when questioned about it. It's not like this was anything new. We saw it a lot last year but it didn't come under such a spotlight as it did with losing to Temple.

 

[blion72]

I would add that for 3 qtrs. we could run the ball on them. once everyone mailed in the game it was different. actually most of the running yards by Temple came after they had the game in hand. had Wartman not gone out, Temple had done NOTHING to show they would ever score a point.

on the Gaia "hold", that was actually a pancake (watch it in slow mo), and Allen gained 8 yds. That was a significant play.

my point is that the run was working, and if we had run a 2 back set with a few more runs - more of the passes could have been play action. That would have been a different deal for Temple - instead we made it easy for them.

I would love to hear from anyone who was at the game re pass coverage. were our guys getting separation and just being missed, or was it always like the one example the announcers showed - nobody open???

 

[GulfCoastLion]

Appreciate the effort...the story of the game, IMO, was PSU's continuing inability to handle the blitz due to OL issues and Hack's lack of mobility. That probably had a lot to do with the play calling...doesn't necessarily justify it, but may explain it. Should the blitzing have been anticipated?? Absolutely. That said, to be "fair and balanced" here, it would be interesting to hear Donovan's side of it. The guy's not completely stupid, so there had to have been some rationale for his strategy...or lack thereof.

Not so sure about that. Have you ever heard him interviewed ? He's not the most articulate, dynamic, or intelligent member of the staff by a long shot. Actually, he's not interviewed very often compared to the other coaches and there may be a reason.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

I really appreciate that you took the time.

I did not watch the game. On the board, early, people were complaining about Huard. I could not hear him. Perhaps his voice grates or something. Nevertheless, the quotes you have cited seem spot on to me.

I like your observations on third down. I have been wondering for awhile now why we run 3rd down plays that have no chance of getting us a first down....over and over. Sure, you can occasionally hope to get a big pick up from such plays. Occasionally is not the same as usually. SMH. I remember one of the first things I learned about football: You have to advance the ball 10 yds to get a first down and a new series of downs. These third down plays need to be written into Donovan's indictment, imo.

That indictment is gonna be a long one if CJF does not put an end to it. Has to be now, too. He is a major problem.

 

[N&B4PSU]

Conversation between Hack & Donovan...



sadly, Donovan forgot about it.

I just have this nagging suspicion that nobody on the psu coaching staff (and by downward flow chart, the team) had any question they could beat temple doing much more than what we saw. I think a part of it was that they couldn't anticipate what would happen if players of substance on the D went down... so they doubted temple would move the ball with any authority and we'd grind them down.

When Wartman and then Bell went out, the game changed dramatically and suddenly temple had the ability to move the ball. and their air got bigger and ours got tighter and you could feel the momentum shift like it was a great big dinosaur plowing the field. The OC and his brain-trust -- such that it is -- seemed stupefied.

I suspect Donovan could have put together something much better but no one thought he needed to.. plain jane should get it done and we could work our way thru weeks 1-6 without undue stress.

oopsie.

 

[N&B4PSU]

I really appreciate that you took the time.

I did not watch the game. On the board, early, people were complaining about Huard. I could not hear him. Perhaps his voice grates or something. Nevertheless, the quotes you have cited seem spot on to me.

I like your observations on third down. I have been wondering for awhile now why we run 3rd down plays that have no chance of getting us a first down....over and over. Sure, you can occasionally hope to get a big pick up from such plays. Occasionally is not the same as usually. SMH. I remember one of the first things I learned about football: You have to advance the ball 10 yds to get a first down and a new series of downs. These third down plays need to be written into Donovan's indictment, imo.

That indictment is gonna be a long one if CJF does not put an end to it. Has to be now, too. He is a major problem.

I'm giving him buffalo. better show something... or.. well, what? who takes over? does it matter at that point? the system in place simply does not work with Hack at QB.. and perhaps that has been the plan all along. Franklin is looking for a very different QB to run his program.. forcing Hack to play tiddly-winks is pure silliness. The kid is a slinger.. O'Brien knew that and that is what he was molding.

I expect Bill to try and draft Hack with the intention of continuing his training (no jedi sh!t here) in a developmental mode. It will take a couple years to undo the crap Donovan has instilled but it will get done, and Hack will look like a 5 star player again.

or maybe Hack is suddenly just a 1 star player who only pretended to be the second coming of a better Kerry Collins in his freshman year under O'Brien.

Right. Yup, that's the ticket. Sell that one.

 

[rudedude]

There were a few times when Hack locked on a receiver and totally missed wide open guys. One time he had Lynch in the middle of the field as a safety valve and no one was near him. If he got the ball we would have scored. Too many passes seem geared towards sideline routes.

 

[NittanyLionNation]

No one should go blameless. The gameplan was brutal, play calling terrible, the o-line was a mess, and Hack stares down his primary receiver on every route, short hops easy throws and has zero pocket awareness.

 

[PSU77sh]

Email the OP's play list to the staff.

 

[BBrown]

Conversation between Hack & Donovan...

View embedded media

sadly, Donovan forgot about it.

I just have this nagging suspicion that nobody on the psu coaching staff (and by downward flow chart, the team) had any question they could beat temple doing much more than what we saw. I think a part of it was that they couldn't anticipate what would happen if players of substance on the D went down... so they doubted temple would move the ball with any authority and we'd grind them down.

When Wartman and then Bell went out, the game changed dramatically and suddenly temple had the ability to move the ball. and their air got bigger and ours got tighter and you could feel the momentum shift like it was a great big dinosaur plowing the field. The OC and his brain-trust -- such that it is -- seemed stupefied.

I suspect Donovan could have put together something much better but no one thought he needed to.. plain jane should get it done and we could work our way thru weeks 1-6 without undue stress.

oopsie.

I asked, sometime in the 3rd quarter. This is the game plan they had all summer to come up with? I've had questions about their in game coaching ability but I thought they did a good job in designing game plans when they had a lot of time, like Ireland and the Bowl game. Hell they could have used either one of those game plans and had better results.
I believe you are correct and they (Franklin and staff) thought they could just skate by until
Rutgers rolls into town.

 

[81b&w]

Not so sure about that. Have you ever heard him interviewed ? He's not the most articulate, dynamic, or intelligent member of the staff by a long shot. Actually, he's not interviewed very often compared to the other coaches and there may be a reason.

I remember Franklin (or someone) saying he was very intelligent and an offense genius. I've certainly not seen it yet, let's hope that changes, right away!

 

[danvillenit]

I remember Franklin (or someone) saying he was very intelligent and an offense genius. I've certainly not seen it yet, let's hope that changes, right away!

Well I do think he is intelligent, graduated from John Hopkins I believe, but that doesn't mean jack from a football perspective.

I am starting to think folks are correct about the staff feeling they could win the game on defense. Unfortunately there is no backup to Wartman. Wooten is not capable despite what Pry says.