There's something about this team that's starting to become visible. I think it's this: Many times I've seen teams that go through adversity together end up doing special things in the long run. I was in Philadelphia for the Temple game. I like many of you were worried. But I stopped worrying as much the following week. Why? The team seemed to have regrouped along with the coaches and simply worked on getting better each week. They seemed to circle the wagons, tuned out the noise from other precincts (media, fans, message boards) and kept working.
What many of these young guys needed was experience and confidence. They were getting both and anyone watching closely could see the team little by little getting better each week. At the same time, the players didn't give up on the coaches and the coaches didn't give up on the players. A bond began to form where players and coaches began to trust one another. These things matter.
The coaches never let the guys hang there heads. It was always, "Let's keep working. Let's get better. If you (a player) had a bad game, maybe even lost a starting spot, work hard to win it back." This is all great stuff and this is what I see. The last time I sensed this was in 2012. The time before that was in 2005.
I have no idea what Penn State will do in its last 3 games. They may win them all, they may lose them all, or they may end up somewhere in between.
But I will say this: Something special is beginning to blossom in Happy Valley. This team is starting to believe they can be good and when that happens after the ignominy of a game like they had against Temple, special things can happen. In sports, I've seen it over and over and over again.
The chemistry with this team is building. I'm not predicting a winner or loser this Saturday, but I won't be very surprised if Penn State plays an out and out fabulous ball game and comes home a big winner.
What many of these young guys needed was experience and confidence. They were getting both and anyone watching closely could see the team little by little getting better each week. At the same time, the players didn't give up on the coaches and the coaches didn't give up on the players. A bond began to form where players and coaches began to trust one another. These things matter.
The coaches never let the guys hang there heads. It was always, "Let's keep working. Let's get better. If you (a player) had a bad game, maybe even lost a starting spot, work hard to win it back." This is all great stuff and this is what I see. The last time I sensed this was in 2012. The time before that was in 2005.
I have no idea what Penn State will do in its last 3 games. They may win them all, they may lose them all, or they may end up somewhere in between.
But I will say this: Something special is beginning to blossom in Happy Valley. This team is starting to believe they can be good and when that happens after the ignominy of a game like they had against Temple, special things can happen. In sports, I've seen it over and over and over again.
The chemistry with this team is building. I'm not predicting a winner or loser this Saturday, but I won't be very surprised if Penn State plays an out and out fabulous ball game and comes home a big winner.
