ADVERTISEMENT

The lack of fundamentals continue to frustrate

We all saw the problem the running backs had with ball control. I would think that they have and will work on that issues. The one fumble would have happened to most backs when the kid led helmet first and hit ball directly. The other ones were on running backs.
My issue is the decisions and lack of fundamentals of our 6 year quarterback. The throwing off his back foot is a constant. Rolling out right with no pressure on him and retreating 10 plus yards is glaring. The decision to throw ball away late in game instead of downing himself before going out of bounds is just stupid.
Franklin yanked the freshman running backs for mistakes but didn't have the guts to put Clifford on the sidelines for a series or two.
The offensive game plan even changed because of Clifford decisions. We played on our heals way to much.

I do agree with you that Cliff's poor play impacted the gameplan. PSU ran 78 plays on the day and 3/4 of them (58) were runs. At some point, CJF decided to just grind out a win and move on. Just thankful our running game was up to the task - putting up 220 yards.
 
I don’t take it in game five against an inferior opponent. It’s standard Franklion when we get to October and the weather turns. It was Illinois all over again. Three RBs now that Ford is off the team and Allen was in the doghouse for the first half. Four fumbles by RBs. My god.
Not like Illinois in that Penn State was not shoved around their own home field. A very positive development with this year’s team. 2022 PSU has the potential to be good - even very good.

But great? Despite having the 2nd best talent in Big10? Not unless they suddenly start playing sound, smart football?

Possible? Well Charlie Brown thought he would kick the football some year. After 8 years, what does everyone think?
 
Not like Illinois in that Penn State was not shoved around their own home field. A very positive development with this year’s team. 2022 PSU has the potential to be good - even very good.

But great? Despite having the 2nd best talent in Big10? Not unless they suddenly start playing sound, smart football?

Possible? Well Charlie Brown thought he would kick the football some year. After 8 years, what does everyone think?
Third best talent...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Online Persona
The kids have to hold onto the ball, Clifford has to play better and we have to limit the offsides. Other than that--this was just a vanilla game that we wanted to survive. It wasn't impressive but we knew that when we knew the weather forecast.
100% agree here. This game was about getting out alive to fight another day pretty much from the first snap. People may not like it, but it's what you do with superior talent.

At some point, CJF decided to just grind out a win and move on.

I think limiting the # of throws was the game plan from the outset. I don't think he foresaw fumbling being as extreme as it was.
 
But didn't it feel like a 35-0 game? Did you ever feel like we were in danger of losing? Yeah, we probably win by 5+ scores if we hold onto the ball and Clifford plays even average football but they won comfortably--primarily due to the D--but still comfortably.
Really? NW pushes in that 4th and goal and the pressure would have been like a vise…just more undisciplined football…the beat goes on…
 
Last edited:
Not like Illinois in that Penn State was not shoved around their own home field. A very positive development with this year’s team. 2022 PSU has the potential to be good - even very good.

But great? Despite having the 2nd best talent in Big10? Not unless they suddenly start playing sound, smart football?

Possible? Well Charlie Brown thought he would kick the football some year. After 8 years, what does everyone think?
Michigan definitely has a higher team composite. You can look it up on 247. We have the 3rd best talent in the big 10. Ohio St is easily first there and has like 50% more 5 stars than the rest of the conference combined.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WIP2001
Really? NW pushes in that 4th and goal and the pressure would have been like a vise…just more undisciplined football…the beat goes on…
Agree. PSU wanted no part of that game yesterday especially in the second half. Franklion’s teams do not play well in bad weather. They just don’t.
 
I know this hard for people to understand but sometimes the best thing to do is go full conservative into a shell. Everyone in stadium knew NW wasn't capable of 3 unanswered scores and they'd magically win that game.
At which point you go full Kirk Ferentz mode and make it as ugly and conservative as possible. Run it into the line, play field position and defense. Believe it or not this strategy has won a lot of football games ... Specifically by some former PSU coach, among others.
I know everyone wants high flying stats with highlight real plays but yesterday was not the day to do that.
In fact putting the ball on the edge and throwing it around was the only chance NW had to make a score off say a fumble or pick outside the hashes where it's much easier to scoop and score. they weren't gonna drive down the defenses throat drive after drive.
In order to win a championship, you do what you have to do to survive, regardless of what it may or may not look like.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rll1957
Please show me all these coaches that are yanking their starting QB’s in games they are winning because of mistakes….I don’t see it.
It happens all the time when a kid struggles just not at Penn State. I guess you never watched Urban Meyer (who I have disdain for) remove his quarterbacks for poor play. It's not about if you're winning the game at the moment,the decision should be what gives me the best chance to win the game. Big difference.
Maybe you should watch the 2018 National Title game when Sabean removed Hurts for Tua.
If team knows Allar is better quarterback Franklin is going to cause a divide. Allar deserved a series or two yesterday.
 
I know this hard for people to understand but sometimes the best thing to do is go full conservative into a shell. Everyone in stadium knew NW wasn't capable of 3 unanswered scores and they'd magically win that game.
At which point you go full Kirk Ferentz mode and make it as ugly and conservative as possible. Run it into the line, play field position and defense. Believe it or not this strategy has won a lot of football games ... Specifically by some former PSU coach, among others.
I know everyone wants high flying stats with highlight real plays but yesterday was not the day to do that.
In fact putting the ball on the edge and throwing it around was the only chance NW had to make a score off say a fumble or pick outside the hashes where it's much easier to scoop and score. they weren't gonna drive down the defenses throat drive after drive.
In order to win a championship, you do what you have to do to survive, regardless of what it may or may not look like.

Under CJF, PSU has a weird habit of playing up or down to their opponents level. The good thing about this is that PSU rarely gets blown-out and is almost always in the game no matter the opponent. The bad thing is losing some close games to opponents we shouldn't have lost to. It's weird, in Franklin's first couple years post full-85manroster PSU won most of the close ones, but the last several years he's lost most of them.

The scUM game will follow this script again imho, but the intangibles favor scUM - especially home-field ADV and the Referines.
 
100% agree here. This game was about getting out alive to fight another day pretty much from the first snap. People may not like it, but it's what you do with superior talent.



I think limiting the # of throws was the game plan from the outset. I don't think he foresaw fumbling being as extreme as it was.

Well, let's face it, the playing conditions made the game somewhat unique and "anything can happen" from the get go. Point Spreads are meaningless in those types of conditions which severely limit playbooks. The better team will typically win, but those types of conditions will tend to dampen scoring severely. As they approached game time, I would be very surprised if you could still bet the under.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hlstone
It happens all the time when a kid struggles just not at Penn State. I guess you never watched Urban Meyer (who I have disdain for) remove his quarterbacks for poor play. It's not about if you're winning the game at the moment,the decision should be what gives me the best chance to win the game. Big difference.
Maybe you should watch the 2018 National Title game when Sabean removed Hurts for Tua.
If team knows Allar is better quarterback Franklin is going to cause a divide. Allar deserved a series or two yesterday.
It doesn’t happen all the time, it almost never happens which is why everyone always brings up the Tua situation, it’s all they have. I never saw Urban pull his starter against us and they were always close and often their QB didn’t play well. I watch a ton of college football every season and almost never see it.
 
Really? NW pushes in that 4th and goal and the pressure would have been like a vise…just more undisciplined football…the beat goes on…
I agree with you that standards need to be higher but I never once was mildly concerned about that game. They need to play better--we agree--but you need to stop acting like we almost lost. Just like CMU I was never, not for a second, worried.
 
It doesn't look like they are taught to put two hands on the ball in traffic. Lee has always been a fumbler, he always carries it loosely.
I'm sure if Drew was out playing Clifford in practice he would be the starter, they practice against a great secondary.
 
It doesn't look like they are taught to put two hands on the ball in traffic. Lee has always been a fumbler, he always carries it loosely.
To be fair, isn't that something they should have be taught since they were about 12?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gitzit
Enjoy the 5 and 0 start because it’s about to end
Now this is a prediction we can all get behind, but a week early, We will be 5-0 after next week, too! And then we will either be 6-0 or 5-1.
 
Now this is a prediction we can all get behind, but a week early, We will be 5-0 after next week, too! And then we will either be 6-0 or 5-1.

Try not to explain factual reality to the scUM trolls - they're a little light in the cognitive department, so take it easy on them (at one point they attempted to claim that you only need a toe to land in bounds for a completed catch and it doesn't matter if the heel of the foot those toes are attached to comes down out-of-bounds. I kid you not on this BTW - scUM trolls argued for weeks on end that only a toe needs to touch in-bounds first for a completed catch even if the heel of the foot those toes are attached to comes down OB.).
 
I don’t take it in game five against an inferior opponent. It’s standard Franklion when we get to October and the weather turns. It was Illinois all over again. Three RBs now that Ford is off the team and Allen was in the doghouse for the first half. Four fumbles by RBs. My god.
On which running play did Franklin fumble; I must have missed it Do you stay awake at night thinking of things to make up to criticize Franklin?
 
Unfortunately, IMO, it wasn't the weather, it was vintage Clifford. James is kidding himself if he thinks Cliff is any better than he ever was...streaky/maddeningly inconsistent.
Well at least he didn’t fumble the game away in the closing minutes like Will “Heisman” Levis.
 
  • Like
Reactions: royboy
It doesn’t happen all the time, it almost never happens which is why everyone always brings up the Tua situation, it’s all they have. I never saw Urban pull his starter against us and they were always close and often their QB didn’t play well. I watch a ton of college football every season and almost never see it.
Typically it is done when a coach is uncertain of which quarterback will respond better playing with the first team talent. Normally 2 young kids trying to prove themselves. Franklin should know what he had in Clifford and you as a fan should see it. Does he have the fortitude to give Allar a chance to play in tough game situation if Clifford is struggling in a close game Any coach can make a change when you're down 20.
I personally saw PSU win their first National Title and have talked to numerous players about the Blackledge and Hosteller situation. They almost all said the Jeff was better and more liked on team. Paterno chose Blackledge not because of talent but for his of persona and his willingness to be a "Company Man".
That qoute is from one of his ex players who became Division 1 Head coach.
 
Well, let's face it, the playing conditions made the game somewhat unique and "anything can happen" from the get go. Point Spreads are meaningless in those types of conditions which severely limit playbooks. The better team will typically win, but those types of conditions will tend to dampen scoring severely. As they approached game time, I would be very surprised if you could still bet the under.
Bad weather is an equalizer. Who knows how the next stretch plays out but I wouldn’t take much from yesterday’s game.

Bills lost to Pats in the “wind game” last year where throwing was impossible. Fans panicked. Bills destroyed them the next two games.
 
Bad weather is an equalizer. Who knows how the next stretch plays out but I wouldn’t take much from yesterday’s game.

Bills lost to Pats in the “wind game” last year where throwing was impossible. Fans panicked. Bills destroyed them the next two games.
Some quarterbacks are mudders some are not.
Hand size and the ability to throw tight spiral is what typically is the difference during an inclement wet game.
I'm not saying a monsoon or a gale force winds.
Yesterday was sloppy game with some wind.
 
It doesn’t happen all the time, it almost never happens which is why everyone always brings up the Tua situation, it’s all they have. I never saw Urban pull his starter against us and they were always close and often their QB didn’t play well. I watch a ton of college football every season and almost never see it.
They were ranked number 1 in country.

 
They were ranked number 1 in country.


Quote from link...

"Now that Barrett is ready to make his 13th career start..."

Urban didn't replace his QB1 with a true freshman. He replaced him with the guy who was starting in '14 before injury. Then in '15, he stayed with the guy who played in the title game.

Barrett went on to throw for 46 yards vs Sparty in the defacto East division final. Never once put Jones in, but I don't know the specifics behind that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mcpat
Quote from link...

"Now that Barrett is ready to make his 13th career start..."

Urban didn't replace his QB1 with a true freshman. He replaced him with the guy who was starting in '14 before injury. Then in '15, he stayed with the guy who played in the title game.

Barrett went on to throw for 46 yards vs Sparty in the defacto East division final. Never once put Jones in, but I don't know the specifics behind that.
Maybe this will validate a coach making a change with a Freshman Quarterback!

 
Just so you understand, I tend to be a conservative and patient fan. What I referenced was as bad as Clifford was playing , I think it was a game that offered an opportunity to give Allar a couple of series. If he struggled, go back to Clifford.
We have watched Sean struggle with basic fundamentals for 4 plus years.. The throwing off back foot causing the ball to be sail. Not stepping to the target on crossing patterns. Not stepping up in pocket and always going back. Locking onto a receiver and not seeing the field especially on scrambles.
Am I missing something on why he is the must choice at quarterback. Franklin didn't recognize a more talented kid from 2 years ago in Levis who will be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.
I know what we have with Sean , I think we all would like to know what we have in Drew even if he's a freshman.
 
Last edited:
I’m watching a ton of fumbles and bad passes and drops and bad snaps in the rain in the NFL today. You know… Pros that are coached on fundamentals.

I think folks need to relax and try to find a way to enjoy a double-digit win in a monsoon and 5-0 record.
 
Last edited:
You can in a game like yesterday. Coach can always use weather as why he did it.
It doesn't make any sense. I like Allar and I'm also frustrated by Clifford but under no circumstance do you go to Allar yesterday with those conditions especially when you watch the other freshman turn the ball over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hlstone
I’m watching a ton of fumbles and bad passes and drops and bad snaps in the rain in the NFL today. You know… Pros that are coached on fundamentals.

I think folks need to relax and try to find a way to enjoy a double-digit win in a monsoon and 5-0 record.

team logo60-1DThe Nittany Lions topped Northwestern 17-7 in what was a rather lackluster performance at home. James Franklin's team turned the ball over five times and looked disinterested for essentially the entire game.
 
team logo60-1DThe Nittany Lions topped Northwestern 17-7 in what was a rather lackluster performance at home. James Franklin's team turned the ball over five times and looked disinterested for essentially the entire game.
That’s not trying to find a way to enjoy a win and 5-0 start.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: hlstone
That’s not trying to find a way to enjoy a win and 5-0 start.
There was no enjoying that game, or 'finding a way to enjoy it afterward.' Both teams played under identical conditions, though PSU benefited being at home. This on the heels of failing to cover at home with a +4 turnover margin vs. now 1-4 CMU.

As I stated last evening, polls dictate bowls; PSU has no signature win, but some dubious ones. UGA just paid the price for poor performance. Style points count.

They have an off week to get it together, because the rest of the October opponents won't be so forgiving.
 
They were ranked number 1 in country.

And heading into the Rutgers game…not exactly like going on the road to play the #4 team in the country.
 
There was no enjoying that game, or 'finding a way to enjoy it afterward.' Both teams played under identical conditions, though PSU benefited being at home. This on the heels of failing to cover at home with a +4 turnover margin vs. now 1-4 CMU.

As I stated last evening, polls dictate bowls; PSU has no signature win, but some dubious ones. UGA just paid the price for poor performance. Style points count.

They have an off week to get it together, because the rest of the October opponents won't be so forgiving.
don't worry be happy grammy winners GIF by Recording Academy / GRAMMYs

Don’t worry. Be happy.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT