Saeed Blacknall will have a bigger presence in this game.

[NittanyChris]

So, obviously, the young man has been in a Taj Mahal sized doghouse for quite some time now. However, despite our talent and depth at WR, he just might be our best, proven straight out deep threat. In a game where Iowa will look to control the LOS and dominate TOP (though I'm not saying they will succeed at that), it would help our cause greatly to hit on some bombs and stretch their D to free up Saquon's running game. Blacknall finally made some plays last week. I think this game will be his coming out of the doghouse party. What do others think?

ROAR LIONS ROAR!!!

 

[rudedude]

I wanna get one of these shirts:

 

[lionville]

I think Polk will be a factor today. He's been quiet thus far.

Jet sweep and bombs. Look for it.

 

[HughHalligan]

Blacknall is due for another breakout game. Today would be nice.

And yes...by all means, get the ball into Polk's hands.

 

[blion72]

So, obviously, the young man has been in a Taj Mahal sized doghouse for quite some time now. However, despite our talent and depth at WR, he just might be our best, proven straight out deep threat. In a game where Iowa will look to control the LOS and dominate TOP (though I'm not saying they will succeed at that), it would help our cause greatly to hit on some bombs and stretch their D to free up Saquon's running game. Blacknall finally made some plays last week. I think this game will be his coming out of the doghouse party. What do others think?

ROAR LIONS ROAR!!!

he has played a good share of the snaps so far this season. he is not getting open, or TM would have found him by now. 2 catches so far this season.

 

[NittanyChris]

he has played a good share of the snaps so far this season. he is not getting open, or TM would have found him by now. 2 catches so far this season.

Your definition of "a good deal of snaps" is quite different from mine.

 

[tboyer]

I think the coaches are well aware of what Blacknall can do. He was a big factor in last year's Iowa game.

I don't necessarily buy the doghouse theory. It may be it's just really stiff competition this year -- Polk and Thompkins and Ham are all playing really well. Johnson has looked really good too and he's had very few looks.

I agree Blacknall seems like the best athlete of the whole group -- 6-3, good leaper and runs a 4.4 maybe 4.3 -- it's insane. But the other receivers are really good too.

This is just Penn State football in the Franklin era. Very very tough competition to even see the field, if you see the field, you're competing with a ton of other good players for touches. If Blacknall wants the ball he has to earn it in practice and in games.

Eight guys scored TDs for PSU last game. That may be what this year is like. No single player will statistically dominate; it will be different receivers every game based on what the defenses are allowing.

 

[NittanyChris]

Well, except we know it's not a theory because he was suspended last year for volations.

Either way, I agree we have a lot of depth, but Blacknall appears to be the best deep threat of them all.

 

[tboyer]

Well, except we know it's not a theory because he was suspended last year for volations.

Either way, I agree we have a lot of depth, but Blacknall appears to be the best deep threat of them all.

What's a theory is assuming the doghouse applies to the fall games.

Franklin has been asked about it in a roundabout way, but he gave the answer that whether Blacknall gets targets will depend on the defenses. And that is true. The way he said it though left open the door to him not being happy with Blacknall. What I like is that Franklin pretty much never criticizes players privately. So if he's less than effusive in praising them, sometimes I take that to mean he's not thrilled with their effort.

I don't see anything wrong with Blacknall's play. He's made good downfield blocks like all the wideouts and the catch Saturday was first rate -- really one of the best catches of the year. So maybe he's just skating by academically, maybe he's late to meetings or maybe he's not putting out 100% at practice.

Or nothing it all -- it could be it's not about Blacknall at all, it's about how good the rest of the wideout corps is right now.