Obli's Observations

[Obliviax]

1. much love for the seniors...and while many disagree, Hack will go down as the best QB in PSU's history (IMHO). Love the guy, love his attitude, love his loyalty, love his maturity and love his physical skill set.
2. I see Johnson is leaving too....good luck to both of them as well as the rest of the seniors who lived through so much hell early on and are true penn staters
3. PSU outplayed GA early in the game. When Hack went out, PSU was leading in every statistical category.
4. I know this is the message of every football fan but we couldn't catch a break. When we tip a ball, it goes nowhere, they tip a ball and get in INT. Then they hit the upright and it goes through (after our offsides, teaching us that every single play adds up to a win or loss, that offsides probably gave them three points).
5. Team was clearly rattled when Hack got hurt.....and played without heart for two quarters.
6. I've got to give credit to CJF in going for TD's, even when it seemed foolish to do so (and those three points would have been nice to have down the stretch). But he set the tone, "we are here to win" even if it meant a blow out. I like that from CJF.
7. Having said that, I didn't like a lot about CJF. Same old same old on offense. I didn't expect wholesale changes but saw almost nothing new. And, the offense had no plan. GA runs a jet sweep with success, and uses that to set up a pass off of it for a TD. We finally get a ten yard run from Barkley, and instead of coming out with him in the backfield, we come out in an empty set NOT using play action and virtually assuring we were going to pass!
8. JoeMo can't get here fast enough...will be very interested in the blue/white game.
9. Have to give it up to McSorley....kid was very timid at first (or was that the play calling with a lot of very, very conservative calls until the fourth quarter when we were down by 21). He threw a number of very nice passes, with decent zip. His bubble screens...well, I can throw bubble screens better than he did today, but his 10-25 yard passes had zip and were within a foot of where it needed to be thrown. I do have to say his throwing to the check down on the final drive was foolish. He'd have been better off to pull it down and hope a WR can find an open zone than throw it to a RB in the middle of the field on your own side of the gridiron and less than a minute to go. But hey, he hasn't played much. All in all, I have to admit I was wrong about his arm and he certainly has chutzpah. Dare I say "moxie?"
10. Also have to hand it to the WR's. Some great catches and great efforts to keep the feet in bounds. Best WR effort of the year. Goodwin had 133 yards. Hamilton 71 & Lewis 53.
11. GA's Sony was a hard runner but the guy that hurt us late was Marshall how had 62 yards on 14 carries. While Barkley ran hard, he was bottled up all day as he got 69 yards on 17 carries.
12. Overall, we had 401 total yards to GA's 327.
13. We also had a TO and they had none. Of course, the one time they fumble it goes promptly out of bounds.
14. Their trick play worked (off the jet screen on a nice throw when our S got suckered and beat very badly) and our fake punt didn't work when Schwan didn't cut up the middle for the first and instead allowed himself to get cut down while running for the sticks on the sideline. Our onside kick didn't work either.
15. We went from being tied 3-3 to being down 24 - 3 before the staff allowed TM to throw the ball downfield. Now, half our offense has been the long throw by Hack to one of our WR's so not sure why they were so cautious with TM for so long. only when we are down by 21 does the staff start to call a decent game.
16. PSU was 4-18 on third downs (a killer all year) but was 4 of 6 on fourth down conversions...go figure
17. I thought the refs called a good game. They made some great calls on PSU's catches in bounds but missed an awful hold down the stretch and the call agains Johnson was weak. Also, I wouldn't have called on the hit on McSorley as he slide with a few seconds left but if they are gonna call Johnson, gotta call that too. Picking up the flag really hurt us in getting the plays in as the ref set the ball and it took 5 seconds for us to spike it (IIRC).
18. Sadly, the oline is what it is. I still think CJF phoned in the Oline choosing to RS some Freshmen rather than play them for this year. At least, I hope so. GA even got good pressure rushing three in the last drive.
19. Looks like our fans showed up...attendance was something like 53,000 and I've been told that 3/4 were PSU fans.

Overall, I felt the team quit in several games during the year....Temple was the worst. But this team didn't quit, in fact, they fought their tails off. Maturity? I don't know. Also, offense was as bad as its been all year; no creativity, no play..just a series of disparate plays. Mindboggling to get a long run then line up with an empty backfield. Regardless, nice to see a little attitude. We will lose a HUGE part of our defense and have three DL's drafted in the NFL. We will likely be weak against the run next year but our young team will be one year older and more experienced. Some positive take aways from today's game should act as great fuel for the off season. And, B1G should be a down year next year as UM, Iowa and tOSU graduate a TON of players. There won't be a single team that is head and shoulders above the rest.

 

[Lionguy32]

Good post, but I completely disagree with your first point. Hackenberg was nowhere near as good as Kerry Collins. Not even close.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Good post, but I completely disagree with your first point. Hackenberg was nowhere near as good as Kerry Collins. Not even close.

To be fair Collins played with guys that had over 100 years combined in the league IIRC. Hack has Barkley and Godwin right now outside of him. That 94 OL was insane, this OL was the opposite. Brady caught everything thrown his way and could block...current TE's not so much. I love Godwin, but is he Bobby Engram? Hard to make those comparisons IMO.

 

[sluggo72]

To be fair Collins played with guys that had over 100 years combined in the league IIRC. Hack has Barkley and Godwin right now outside of him. That 94 OL was insane, this OL was the opposite. Brady caught everything thrown his way and could block...current TE's not so much. I love Godwin, but is he Bobby Engram? Hard to make those comparisons IMO.

Disagree this OL is insane as well! (Teasing)

 

[joeparules]

Regarding your final point about losing players, has Elliott announced anything?

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

1. much love for the seniors...and while many disagree, Hack will go down as the best QB in PSU's history (IMHO). Love the guy, love his attitude, love his loyalty, love his maturity and love his physical skill set.
2. I see Johnson is leaving too....good luck to both of them as well as the rest of the seniors who lived through so much hell early on and are true penn staters
3. PSU outplayed GA early in the game. When Hack went out, PSU was leading in every statistical category.
4. I know this is the message of every football fan but we couldn't catch a break. When we tip a ball, it goes nowhere, they tip a ball and get in INT. Then they hit the upright and it goes through (after our offsides, teaching us that every single play adds up to a win or loss, that offsides probably gave them three points).
5. Team was clearly rattled when Hack got hurt.....and played without heart for two quarters.
6. I've got to give credit to CJF in going for TD's, even when it seemed foolish to do so (and those three points would have been nice to have down the stretch). But he set the tone, "we are here to win" even if it meant a blow out. I like that from CJF.
7. Having said that, I didn't like a lot about CJF. Same old same old on offense. I didn't expect wholesale changes but saw almost nothing new. And, the offense had no plan. GA runs a jet sweep with success, and uses that to set up a pass off of it for a TD. We finally get a ten yard run from Barkley, and instead of coming out with him in the backfield, we come out in an empty set NOT using play action and virtually assuring we were going to pass!
8. JoeMo can't get here fast enough...will be very interested in the blue/white game.
9. Have to give it up to McSorley....kid was very timid at first (or was that the play calling with a lot of very, very conservative calls until the fourth quarter when we were down by 21). He threw a number of very nice passes, with decent zip. His bubble screens...well, I can throw bubble screens better than he did today, but his 10-25 yard passes had zip and were within a foot of where it needed to be thrown. I do have to say his throwing to the check down on the final drive was foolish. He'd have been better off to pull it down and hope a WR can find an open zone than throw it to a RB in the middle of the field on your own side of the gridiron and less than a minute to go. But hey, he hasn't played much. All in all, I have to admit I was wrong about his arm and he certainly has chutzpah. Dare I say "moxie?"
10. Also have to hand it to the WR's. Some great catches and great efforts to keep the feet in bounds. Best WR effort of the year. Goodwin had 133 yards. Hamilton 71 & Lewis 53.
11. GA's Sony was a hard runner but the guy that hurt us late was Marshall how had 62 yards on 14 carries. While Barkley ran hard, he was bottled up all day as he got 69 yards on 17 carries.
12. Overall, we had 401 total yards to GA's 327.
13. We also had a TO and they had none. Of course, the one time they fumble it goes promptly out of bounds.
14. Their trick play worked (off the jet screen on a nice throw when our S got suckered and beat very badly) and our fake punt didn't work when Schwan didn't cut up the middle for the first and instead allowed himself to get cut down while running for the sticks on the sideline. Our onside kick didn't work either.
15. We went from being tied 3-3 to being down 24 - 3 before the staff allowed TM to throw the ball downfield. Now, half our offense has been the long throw by Hack to one of our WR's so not sure why they were so cautious with TM for so long. only when we are down by 21 does the staff start to call a decent game.
16. PSU was 4-18 on third downs (a killer all year) but was 4 of 6 on fourth down conversions...go figure
17. I thought the refs called a good game. They made some great calls on PSU's catches in bounds but missed an awful hold down the stretch and the call agains Johnson was weak. Also, I wouldn't have called on the hit on McSorley as he slide with a few seconds left but if they are gonna call Johnson, gotta call that too. Picking up the flag really hurt us in getting the plays in as the ref set the ball and it took 5 seconds for us to spike it (IIRC).
18. Sadly, the oline is what it is. I still think CJF phoned in the Oline choosing to RS some Freshmen rather than play them for this year. At least, I hope so. GA even got good pressure rushing three in the last drive.
19. Looks like our fans showed up...attendance was something like 53,000 and I've been told that 3/4 were PSU fans.

Overall, I felt the team quit in several games during the year....Temple was the worst. But this team didn't quit, in fact, they fought their tails off. Maturity? I don't know. Also, offense was as bad as its been all year; no creativity, no play..just a series of disparate plays. Mindboggling to get a long run then line up with an empty backfield. Regardless, nice to see a little attitude. We will lose a HUGE part of our defense and have three DL's drafted in the NFL. We will likely be weak against the run next year but our young team will be one year older and more experienced. Some positive take aways from today's game should act as great fuel for the off season. And, B1G should be a down year next year as UM, Iowa and tOSU graduate a TON of players. There won't be a single team that is head and shoulders above the rest.

Too soon. Better to have waited until Monday.

 

[Lionguy32]

To be fair Collins played with guys that had over 100 years combined in the league IIRC. Hack has Barkley and Godwin right now outside of him. That 94 OL was insane, this OL was the opposite. Brady caught everything thrown his way and could block...current TE's not so much. I love Godwin, but is he Bobby Engram? Hard to make those comparisons IMO.

No question Collins had a lot more talent around him, but he accuracy was phenomenal. Hackenberg's lack of consistency and inability to hit the short throws always bothered me. I think Collins' NFL longevity proved just how much of a talent he was. I can't see Hackenberg getting any meaningful NFL playing time without dramatic improvement.

 

[Obliviax]

Regarding your final point about losing players, has Elliott announced anything?

EZ Elliott from Ohio State? Yeah, he announced he's leaving far before their bowl game.

 

[PSU&Trout]

1. much love for the seniors...and while many disagree, Hack will go down as the best QB in PSU's history (IMHO). Love the guy, love his attitude, love his loyalty, love his maturity and love his physical skill set.
2. I see Johnson is leaving too....good luck to both of them as well as the rest of the seniors who lived through so much hell early on and are true penn staters
3. PSU outplayed GA early in the game. When Hack went out, PSU was leading in every statistical category.
4. I know this is the message of every football fan but we couldn't catch a break. When we tip a ball, it goes nowhere, they tip a ball and get in INT. Then they hit the upright and it goes through (after our offsides, teaching us that every single play adds up to a win or loss, that offsides probably gave them three points).
5. Team was clearly rattled when Hack got hurt.....and played without heart for two quarters.
6. I've got to give credit to CJF in going for TD's, even when it seemed foolish to do so (and those three points would have been nice to have down the stretch). But he set the tone, "we are here to win" even if it meant a blow out. I like that from CJF.
7. Having said that, I didn't like a lot about CJF. Same old same old on offense. I didn't expect wholesale changes but saw almost nothing new. And, the offense had no plan. GA runs a jet sweep with success, and uses that to set up a pass off of it for a TD. We finally get a ten yard run from Barkley, and instead of coming out with him in the backfield, we come out in an empty set NOT using play action and virtually assuring we were going to pass!
8. JoeMo can't get here fast enough...will be very interested in the blue/white game.
9. Have to give it up to McSorley....kid was very timid at first (or was that the play calling with a lot of very, very conservative calls until the fourth quarter when we were down by 21). He threw a number of very nice passes, with decent zip. His bubble screens...well, I can throw bubble screens better than he did today, but his 10-25 yard passes had zip and were within a foot of where it needed to be thrown. I do have to say his throwing to the check down on the final drive was foolish. He'd have been better off to pull it down and hope a WR can find an open zone than throw it to a RB in the middle of the field on your own side of the gridiron and less than a minute to go. But hey, he hasn't played much. All in all, I have to admit I was wrong about his arm and he certainly has chutzpah. Dare I say "moxie?"
10. Also have to hand it to the WR's. Some great catches and great efforts to keep the feet in bounds. Best WR effort of the year. Goodwin had 133 yards. Hamilton 71 & Lewis 53.
11. GA's Sony was a hard runner but the guy that hurt us late was Marshall how had 62 yards on 14 carries. While Barkley ran hard, he was bottled up all day as he got 69 yards on 17 carries.
12. Overall, we had 401 total yards to GA's 327.
13. We also had a TO and they had none. Of course, the one time they fumble it goes promptly out of bounds.
14. Their trick play worked (off the jet screen on a nice throw when our S got suckered and beat very badly) and our fake punt didn't work when Schwan didn't cut up the middle for the first and instead allowed himself to get cut down while running for the sticks on the sideline. Our onside kick didn't work either.
15. We went from being tied 3-3 to being down 24 - 3 before the staff allowed TM to throw the ball downfield. Now, half our offense has been the long throw by Hack to one of our WR's so not sure why they were so cautious with TM for so long. only when we are down by 21 does the staff start to call a decent game.
16. PSU was 4-18 on third downs (a killer all year) but was 4 of 6 on fourth down conversions...go figure
17. I thought the refs called a good game. They made some great calls on PSU's catches in bounds but missed an awful hold down the stretch and the call agains Johnson was weak. Also, I wouldn't have called on the hit on McSorley as he slide with a few seconds left but if they are gonna call Johnson, gotta call that too. Picking up the flag really hurt us in getting the plays in as the ref set the ball and it took 5 seconds for us to spike it (IIRC).
18. Sadly, the oline is what it is. I still think CJF phoned in the Oline choosing to RS some Freshmen rather than play them for this year. At least, I hope so. GA even got good pressure rushing three in the last drive.
19. Looks like our fans showed up...attendance was something like 53,000 and I've been told that 3/4 were PSU fans.

Overall, I felt the team quit in several games during the year....Temple was the worst. But this team didn't quit, in fact, they fought their tails off. Maturity? I don't know. Also, offense was as bad as its been all year; no creativity, no play..just a series of disparate plays. Mindboggling to get a long run then line up with an empty backfield. Regardless, nice to see a little attitude. We will lose a HUGE part of our defense and have three DL's drafted in the NFL. We will likely be weak against the run next year but our young team will be one year older and more experienced. Some positive take aways from today's game should act as great fuel for the off season. And, B1G should be a down year next year as UM, Iowa and tOSU graduate a TON of players. There won't be a single team that is head and shoulders above the rest.

Was waiting for your summary. Nice job - again. Thanks for all season.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

To be fair Collins played with guys that had over 100 years combined in the league IIRC. Hack has Barkley and Godwin right now outside of him. That 94 OL was insane, this OL was the opposite. Brady caught everything thrown his way and could block...current TE's not so much. I love Godwin, but is he Bobby Engram? Hard to make those comparisons IMO.

It's so much easier to be accurate when you have AA's blocking for you, catching for you, and running for you. Hack was beaten to death the last 3 years and Collins was barely touched in 94. Both are big guys with big arms, but that is pretty much where the comparison ends. To be an accurate QB you need to be able to repeat your mechanics and step into throws. Hack was never really given that chance. On paper W's and L's count the most, but Collins had Joe in his prime and Hack came and tried to keep our program afloat. You won't hear me toss him under the bus...that is just me.

 

[joeparules]

EZ Elliott from Ohio State? Yeah, he announced he's leaving far before their bowl game.

Thanks. Must have missed that.

 

[Mixolydian]

Best PSU QB of all time?...I just can't get there. There are many legitimate issues that negatively impacted Hack's PSU career, but they are just that...reasons why he wasn't able to demonstrate whether he was the best PSU QB of all time (or even one of the best IMO). The most I can say is that we will never know what he would have done under "normal" circumstances. This has been a brutal 4 year period that I sometimes still can't comprehend. That's certainly not his fault, and I appreciate him and everything he tried to do for the program. I wish him the best.

 

[thecoolestfish]

Good post, but I completely disagree with your first point. Hackenberg was nowhere near as good as Kerry Collins. Not even close.

Correct. I'm pretty sure Obli never saw Kerry Collins. I love Hack, but even when you factor the awful OL, he isn't even in the same universe.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Correct. I'm pretty sure Obli never saw Kerry Collins. I love Hack, but even when you factor the awful OL, he isn't even in the same universe.

I saw them both and I can tell you right now Collins would have taken a beating too the last 3 years behind this OL as Hack may actually move better than Collins. Hack does have big arm syndrome and accuracy issues, but let's stop this comparison as the teams were night and day different. AA RB, AA TE, AA OL, and others that all played in the league. Compare that to this team where the best player was a true frosh. It's a silly comparison as I know damn well Hack looks better if he were on that 94 team and Collins looks much worse on this team. That is the only real given.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

OBLI - loved your last sentence in your point #1.....you nailed that. Very nicely nailed it!

BUT RESPECTFULLY

Best QB in PSU history, Hack's not even close, not even in the top six. Burkhart, Hufnagel, Fusina, Blackledge, Shaffer, Collins.....

Physical tools, only Collins is remotely close to Hack. None of us question that. But the six I mentioned did TWO things that Hack didn't do: 1) Made the plays to win and, perhaps more importantly 2) Not make the plays that cost you the game.

Bottom-line for Hack is a lot of nice records and a lot of highlights.....but you should have those if you start 38 games in a row.

7-5 / 7-6 / 7-6 = 21-17.

 

[chrisrn1965]

1. much love for the seniors...and while many disagree, Hack will go down as the best QB in PSU's history (IMHO). Love the guy, love his attitude, love his loyalty, love his maturity and love his physical skill set.
2. I see Johnson is leaving too....good luck to both of them as well as the rest of the seniors who lived through so much hell early on and are true penn staters
3. PSU outplayed GA early in the game. When Hack went out, PSU was leading in every statistical category.
4. I know this is the message of every football fan but we couldn't catch a break. When we tip a ball, it goes nowhere, they tip a ball and get in INT. Then they hit the upright and it goes through (after our offsides, teaching us that every single play adds up to a win or loss, that offsides probably gave them three points).
5. Team was clearly rattled when Hack got hurt.....and played without heart for two quarters.
6. I've got to give credit to CJF in going for TD's, even when it seemed foolish to do so (and those three points would have been nice to have down the stretch). But he set the tone, "we are here to win" even if it meant a blow out. I like that from CJF.
7. Having said that, I didn't like a lot about CJF. Same old same old on offense. I didn't expect wholesale changes but saw almost nothing new. And, the offense had no plan. GA runs a jet sweep with success, and uses that to set up a pass off of it for a TD. We finally get a ten yard run from Barkley, and instead of coming out with him in the backfield, we come out in an empty set NOT using play action and virtually assuring we were going to pass!
8. JoeMo can't get here fast enough...will be very interested in the blue/white game.
9. Have to give it up to McSorley....kid was very timid at first (or was that the play calling with a lot of very, very conservative calls until the fourth quarter when we were down by 21). He threw a number of very nice passes, with decent zip. His bubble screens...well, I can throw bubble screens better than he did today, but his 10-25 yard passes had zip and were within a foot of where it needed to be thrown. I do have to say his throwing to the check down on the final drive was foolish. He'd have been better off to pull it down and hope a WR can find an open zone than throw it to a RB in the middle of the field on your own side of the gridiron and less than a minute to go. But hey, he hasn't played much. All in all, I have to admit I was wrong about his arm and he certainly has chutzpah. Dare I say "moxie?"
10. Also have to hand it to the WR's. Some great catches and great efforts to keep the feet in bounds. Best WR effort of the year. Goodwin had 133 yards. Hamilton 71 & Lewis 53.
11. GA's Sony was a hard runner but the guy that hurt us late was Marshall how had 62 yards on 14 carries. While Barkley ran hard, he was bottled up all day as he got 69 yards on 17 carries.
12. Overall, we had 401 total yards to GA's 327.
13. We also had a TO and they had none. Of course, the one time they fumble it goes promptly out of bounds.
14. Their trick play worked (off the jet screen on a nice throw when our S got suckered and beat very badly) and our fake punt didn't work when Schwan didn't cut up the middle for the first and instead allowed himself to get cut down while running for the sticks on the sideline. Our onside kick didn't work either.
15. We went from being tied 3-3 to being down 24 - 3 before the staff allowed TM to throw the ball downfield. Now, half our offense has been the long throw by Hack to one of our WR's so not sure why they were so cautious with TM for so long. only when we are down by 21 does the staff start to call a decent game.
16. PSU was 4-18 on third downs (a killer all year) but was 4 of 6 on fourth down conversions...go figure
17. I thought the refs called a good game. They made some great calls on PSU's catches in bounds but missed an awful hold down the stretch and the call agains Johnson was weak. Also, I wouldn't have called on the hit on McSorley as he slide with a few seconds left but if they are gonna call Johnson, gotta call that too. Picking up the flag really hurt us in getting the plays in as the ref set the ball and it took 5 seconds for us to spike it (IIRC).
18. Sadly, the oline is what it is. I still think CJF phoned in the Oline choosing to RS some Freshmen rather than play them for this year. At least, I hope so. GA even got good pressure rushing three in the last drive.
19. Looks like our fans showed up...attendance was something like 53,000 and I've been told that 3/4 were PSU fans.

Overall, I felt the team quit in several games during the year....Temple was the worst. But this team didn't quit, in fact, they fought their tails off. Maturity? I don't know. Also, offense was as bad as its been all year; no creativity, no play..just a series of disparate plays. Mindboggling to get a long run then line up with an empty backfield. Regardless, nice to see a little attitude. We will lose a HUGE part of our defense and have three DL's drafted in the NFL. We will likely be weak against the run next year but our young team will be one year older and more experienced. Some positive take aways from today's game should act as great fuel for the off season. And, B1G should be a down year next year as UM, Iowa and tOSU graduate a TON of players. There won't be a single team that is head and shoulders above the rest.

Great post! I was at the game and agree with pretty much everything you said except I would say the crowd was 60% Georgia and 40% psu. Not surprising considering they are so close to jax. Both groups of fans were vocal.

 

[PSU Soupy]

OBLI - loved your last sentence in your point #1.....you nailed that. Very nicely nailed it!

BUT RESPECTFULLY

Best QB in PSU history, Hack's not even close, not even in the top six. Burkhart, Hufnagel, Fusina, Blackledge, Shaffer, Collins.....

Physical tools, only Collins is remotely close to Hack. None of us question that. But the six I mentioned did TWO things that Hack didn't do: 1) Made the plays to win and, perhaps more importantly 2) Not make the plays that cost you the game.

Bottom-line for Hack is a lot of nice records and a lot of highlights.....but you should have those if you start 38 games in a row.

7-5 / 7-6 / 7-6 = 21-17.

Hack > Shaffer. not even close.

Hack with minimal support was much better than Shaffer whose job it was to manage the game....get the ball to DJ....and move the chains, he did that, go back and look how he did versus Miami in the Fiesta Bowl which is somewhat how Hack was his last two years......not so good.


"Testeverde has a great future ahead of him as a QB at the next level and Shaffer has a great career ahead of him on Wall Street."

 

[fairgambit]

Hack may turn out to be the best Pro QB in Penn State history, but he is not the best based upon his college performance. I understand he did not have a great supporting cast, but being the best has to be based upon more than potential. I would not put him in my top 3.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Statistically, Hack is the best. Collins played on the best team (in part the best because he played on it).

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Hack > Shaffer. not even close.

Hack with minimal support was much better than Shaffer whose job it was to manage the game....get the ball to DJ....and move the chains, he did that, go back and look how he did versus Miami in the Fiesta Bowl which is somewhat how Hack was his last two years......not so good.


"Testeverde has a great future ahead of him as a QB at the next level and Shaffer has a great career ahead of him on Wall Street."

Shaffer was NEVER pretty.....but he was 23-1 as a QB at PSU. (He was similar to Burkhart.....NEVER pretty, but 22-0 as a QB at PSU.)

IF you want to say Hack was the best QB ever recruited to come to PSU, I'd agree in a heartbeat. But the best QB to have played at PSU, no way, not even close.

 

[Mixolydian]

Statistically, Hack is the best. Collins played on the best team (in part the best because he played on it).

He started almost 40 games in part because there was virtually no competition for the position when he stepped on campus. So of course he rung up some big cumulative stats. Not to take anything away from him given the circumstances, but career stats aren't solely how I think of "best".JMO.

 

[PSUAlum]

Good post, but I completely disagree with your first point. Hackenberg was nowhere near as good as Kerry Collins. Not even close.

I agree with Obliviax that Hack is the BEST QB to ever play at Penn State. You are comparing Hack as a true junior to Kerry as a RS Senior. Kerry was an AWFUL QB until the 10th game of his RS junior season. The light turned on for Kerry against NW and then he led the comeback against MSU. He also had a line in '94 with Kyle Brady at TE that did not give up many sacks. I would love to see Hack play behind an OL and TE combo that was that quality. Penn State fans would have a different opinion of Hack and his place among Penn State QBs. Collins was 46.7% and 50.8% as a RS soph and RS junior. Kerry had a 56.3 career completion percentage compared to Hack's 56.1.

 

[Hershey Lion]

Hack > Shaffer. not even close.

Hack with minimal support was much better than Shaffer whose job it was to manage the game....get the ball to DJ....and move the chains, he did that, go back and look how he did versus Miami in the Fiesta Bowl which is somewhat how Hack was his last two years......not so good.


"Testeverde has a great future ahead of him as a QB at the next level and Shaffer has a great career ahead of him on Wall Street."

one out of two ain't bad.

 

[BBG65]

Shaffer was NEVER pretty.....but he was 23-1 as a QB at PSU. (He was similar to Burkhart.....NEVER pretty, but 22-0 as a QB at PSU.)

IF you want to say Hack was the best QB ever recruited to come to PSU, I'd agree in a heartbeat. But the best QB to have played at PSU, no way, not even close.

Shaeffer and Burkhart were not good QBs, just played on good teams. In his 2 bowl games, both for national championships, Shaeffer played horribly. In 1985, Psu outplayed Okla. by a lot and lost because of a miserable performance by John Shaeffer. He wasn't any better the next year against by Miami, but the defense pulled out the win with 5 interceptions in a low scoring game. Hack has performed poorly at PSU for a variety of reasons. We've had many better QBs, Blackledge, Fusina, Hufnagel, Collins, Zack Mills before his shoulder injury, Darryl Clark and probably others.

 

[Mixolydian]

I agree with Obliviax that Hack is the BEST QB to ever play at Penn State. You are comparing Hack as a true junior to Kerry as a RS Senior. Kerry was an AWFUL QB until the 10th game of his RS junior season. The light turned on for Kerry against NW and then he led the comeback against MSU. He also had a line in '94 with Kyle Brady at TE that did not give up many sacks. I would love to see Hack play behind an OL and TE combo that was that quality. Penn State fans would have a different opinion of Hack and his place among Penn State QBs. Collins was 46.7% and 50.8% as a RS soph and RS junior. Kerry had a 56.3 career completion percentage compared to Hack's 56.1.

We all would have liked to see that, but unfortunately it was not to be. This is a pretty silly comparison the more I think about it.

 

[WPTLION]

#18....on the pregame radio show CJF said he chose not to play 10 guys who would have helped. He and Jones agreed how it was tough but it was the tight thing yo do for the program going forward.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Shaeffer and Burkhart were not good QBs, just played on good teams. In his 2 bowl games, both for national championships, Shaeffer played horribly. In 1985, Psu outplayed Okla. by a lot and lost because of a miserable performance by John Shaeffer. He wasn't any better the next year against by Miami, but the defense pulled out the win with 5 interceptions in a low scoring game. Hack has performed poorly at PSU for a variety of reasons. We've had many better QBs, Blackledge, Fusina, Hufnagel, Collins, Zack Mills before his shoulder injury, Darryl Clark and probably others.

I ALMOST included a healthy Mills. Could have included Clark, should have included McGloin.

Burkhart 22-0 says it all. His heroics in the last minute of the Kansas game are as clutch as any in PSU history and established the foundation for the eventual Paterno legacy.

PSU outplayed OU but our safety getting beat for a long TD early second quarter totally changed the game. We also missed a chip shot FG late and a meaningless long TD run right thereafter. Plenty of blame for everyone, but 23-1 and getting into back-to-back MNC games speaks for itself. Interesting Shaffer's 1986 QBR is almost the same as Hack's QBR for this year.

 

[N&B4PSU]

It's so much easier to be accurate when you have AA's blocking for you, catching for you, and running for you. Hack was beaten to death the last 3 years and Collins was barely touched in 94. Both are big guys with big arms, but that is pretty much where the comparison ends. To be an accurate QB you need to be able to repeat your mechanics and step into throws. Hack was never really given that chance. On paper W's and L's count the most, but Collins had Joe in his prime and Hack came and tried to keep our program afloat. You won't hear me toss him under the bus...that is just me.

He got touched versus MSU and he got touched by U Tenn... and he responded to both by kicking their asses all over the field. I appreciate what Hack did and what he meant, but there is zero question who i would draft. KC.

 

[hagberg]

#18....on the pregame radio show CJF said he chose not to play 10 guys who would have helped. He and Jones agreed how it was tough but it was the tight thing yo do for the program going forward.

In my 2016 leaf-turnover-ing spirit of trying to be more positive, I choose to view this as a sign that Franklin really does want to be here for the long term. My guess is that the bulk (npi) of those ten were OL, for whom redshirting is almost always the best move. I don't think 2016 will be the year we see vast improvement there, but I do think we'll see a lot more substitution along the line, which will help immensely going forward. Think about it: how many times did we see a non-starting OL get any significant reps?

Now for the important question. Who is this Jones who you claim agreed with Franklin?

 

[danvillenit]

In my 2016 leaf-turnover-ing spirit of trying to be more positive, I choose to view this as a sign that Franklin really does want to be here for the long term. My guess is that the bulk (npi) of those ten were OL, for whom redshirting is almost always the best move. I don't think 2016 will be the year we see vast improvement there, but I do think we'll see a lot more substitution along the line, which will help immensely going forward. Think about it: how many times did we see a non-starting OL get any significant reps?

Now for the important question. Who is this Jones who you claim agreed with Franklin?[/QUOTE

Voice of PSU Steve Jones. He said multiple times help is on the way from young players

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

No question Collins had a lot more talent around him, but he accuracy was phenomenal. Hackenberg's lack of consistency and inability to hit the short throws always bothered me. I think Collins' NFL longevity proved just how much of a talent he was. I can't see Hackenberg getting any meaningful NFL playing time without dramatic improvement.

Collins had months to set his feet and perfect his mechanics on every throw..he had sr and Jr experienced talent all around him and a Mt Rushmore worthy OL..and two NFL right ends....wtf...I could go on

If Hack gets what he needs in an NFL team...he may well eclipse Collins and many top rated NFL qb namesakes...only time will tell.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Hack will go down as the best QB in PSU's history (IMHO)

Hack has been serviceable this season. Well wishes to him in his NFL career.

LdN

 

[psuro]

Good post, but I completely disagree with your first point. Hackenberg was nowhere near as good as Kerry Collins. Not even close.

Every single OLjneman on Collins team played in the NFL. There was some real talent on the O line

 

[chethejet]

Looks like our fans showed up...attendance was something like 53,000 and I've beentold that 3/4 were PSU fans

No that is not what those who attended the game said. TV views did look far more red than blue. That is just not the case. Did you get the split wrong in typing it?

 

[dawgduice]

EZ Elliott from Ohio State? Yeah, he announced he's leaving far before their bowl game.

Actually, he announced he was leaving when he first committed to OSU
Exactly like many of their "student-ATHLETES". "We don't need no edumacation".

 

[dawgduice]

Every single OLjneman on Collins team played in the NFL. There was some real talent on the O line

That makes NO difference. It has NOTHING to do with talent is is ALL about coaching. Really ?????
Odd, there were three NFL linemen when Hack was a Freshman, I think he had a decent year

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Collins getting a lot of pub (deservedly so), but the best QB I saw play at State (apologies to those older than I) was Blackledge. Hack is raw talent, and with proper coaching may yet be an awesome pro, but his consistency in college (lack of talent not withstanding) puts him a peg or two below some of the listed all-timers.

 

[SR108]

I've got to give credit to CJF in going for TD's, even when it seemed foolish to do so (and those three points would have been nice to have down the stretch). But he set the tone, "we are here to win" even if it meant a blow out. I like that from CJF.

Going for it on fourth down with over six min. left in the third quarter was a mistake and cost us the game. We should have punted and played field position. We gave them a short field and it became 24-3, instead of 17-3. Running a fake punt with a defensive end made me scratch my head as well. Franklin is a great recruiter, and I believe he will eventually get things turned around, but he needs schooled on some game time coaching and time management basics.

 

[BarryPSU]

OBLI - loved your last sentence in your point #1.....you nailed that. Very nicely nailed it!

BUT RESPECTFULLY

Best QB in PSU history, Hack's not even close, not even in the top six. Burkhart, Hufnagel, Fusina, Blackledge, Shaffer, Collins.....

Physical tools, only Collins is remotely close to Hack. None of us question that. But the six I mentioned did TWO things that Hack didn't do: 1) Made the plays to win and, perhaps more importantly 2) Not make the plays that cost you the game.

Bottom-line for Hack is a lot of nice records and a lot of highlights.....but you should have those if you start 38 games in a row.

7-5 / 7-6 / 7-6 = 21-17.

Richie Lucas and Milt Plum are older guys but both great former PSU QB's as well.

 

[MrDibbs]

Thanks again, Obli ... your "Observations" have been a highlight of the 2015 season.

From my view last Saturday, I was hoping for more than I saw. Some of that was because Georgia was a better team than I thought going into the game. Their line(s) were big, physical and fast. They have an OT that never slowed the motor down. They had a linebacker who reminded me of Lavar Arrington - speed with wing span. very impressive.

The punting on this team has been a major problem for the entire season. Saturday's punts seemed (from TV perspective) to be line drives and UGA return on one punt was big. Worst was the shank from the 42 to the 28. Is this why CJF did some ill-advised play calling throughout the game?

I won't pile onto what others have posted (here and elsewhere). There are (were) problems that were never corrected for various reasons. Building to the future is a good thing, but when the future becomes the present, the expectations will be much greater.

Now for the positive ... as the game was winding down, I was actually happy and satisfied. This team didn't quit and they easily could have done exactly that. Hindsight being 20-20, I am sure that Trace McSorley's lack of meaningful snaps throughout the season impacted his (and his coach's) performance in relief of Hackenberg. That's on the coaching staff.

Prior to his injury, Hack was sharp with his downfield throws and the wide receivers all had good games (again, my eyes). The return of these receivers has got to make the coaching staff very happy, but remember that receivers do much more than run routes and catch passes.

Better things lie ahead for this program.

Finally, my sincere thanks to all the seniors (who played and who didn't play) and to the juniors who have decided to pursue other football options. Good luck in your future. You all have the heart of a lion.