Thoughts after rewatching Minny

[TheWizardofCamelot]

I had been most nervous about this game since the midpoint of the season. Minny had all the ingredients for an upset - home, off a bye, PSU consecutive road games. They’re also a decent, tough, fundamental team. Throw in ST errors, that could’ve been the end of the season.

Coach K’s worst called game (outside of OSU) of the season. Baffling playcalling in key moments, over and over. Franklin bailed him out. I think we need to quit the Pribula package, too predictable. Warren/singleton need to be the bread and butter of the offense. They are our true talent outside of Allar.

Singleton seems back to 100%. He should’ve been in over Allen every play down the stretch. Something is off with Allen.

Thought the OL played well. Rucci played well and they established the run in the second half.

I thought this was a bad game by our safeties. Reed was out of position or late on a number of big plays and Wheatley continues to be a liability in space. Wheatley is a poor tackler.

Conversely, I thought the LBs played well tonight. Dom had a pick, King tackled well, and Rojas was picking the correct gaps.

DL - such a mixed bag with this group. Carter played well in IMO - that LT was REALLY good, and the attention they paid Carter allowed Durant to DOMINATE. Yes, Bosmer dropped that fumble, Carter played the option perfectly and caused the indecision of the QB, then trounced to blow up the recovery.

Vanover, Vilbert, and DDS are average at best on the other DE spot, really disappointing to be honest. DDS especially, he plays so upright and has no twitch at all, he’s strong but really has very little athleticism. I’m worried about DE production next season.

The final drive. The punt fake took balls and hats off to Franklin for making the call. It was actually really smart too with hindsight - with 5 minutes left he was worried they wouldn’t get the ball back lose. So with 3 TOs left and short field, they’d at least guarantee getting the ball back. Best call of his career IMO. Then the two conversions to finish it off without giving Minny the ball, hell yeah, play to win.

Let’s wipe the floor with MD and get healthy for a playoff run. Just win. All these upsets week to week and we’ve just found a way to win.

 

[PSUSignore]

Singleton seems back to 100%. He should’ve been in over Allen every play down the stretch. Something is off with Allen.

The running game sucked in the first half, 10 yards, and Allen had 0 carries. He immediately got 7+ yards on his first 2 carries in the second half. Allen absolutely needs to be involved in the running game. He's the better physical runner, Singleton is better in space. They complement each other well and both need to be involved.

 

[19333lion]

I'll trade error free special teams play for a great fake punt any day of the week. I can't stand rugby style punting to begin with. After yesterday, I'd love never to see it again.

 

[LMTLION]

I had been most nervous about this game since the midpoint of the season. Minny had all the ingredients for an upset - home, off a bye, PSU consecutive road games. They’re also a decent, tough, fundamental team. Throw in ST errors, that could’ve been the end of the season.

Coach K’s worst called game (outside of OSU) of the season. Baffling playcalling in key moments, over and over. Franklin bailed him out. I think we need to quit the Pribula package, too predictable. Warren/singleton need to be the bread and butter of the offense. They are our true talent outside of Allar.

Singleton seems back to 100%. He should’ve been in over Allen every play down the stretch. Something is off with Allen.

Thought the OL played well. Rucci played well and they established the run in the second half.

I thought this was a bad game by our safeties. Reed was out of position or late on a number of big plays and Wheatley continues to be a liability in space. Wheatley is a poor tackler.

Conversely, I thought the LBs played well tonight. Dom had a pick, King tackled well, and Rojas was picking the correct gaps.

DL - such a mixed bag with this group. Carter played well in IMO - that LT was REALLY good, and the attention they paid Carter allowed Durant to DOMINATE. Yes, Bosmer dropped that fumble, Carter played the option perfectly and caused the indecision of the QB, then trounced to blow up the recovery.

Vanover, Vilbert, and DDS are average at best on the other DE spot, really disappointing to be honest. DDS especially, he plays so upright and has no twitch at all, he’s strong but really has very little athleticism. I’m worried about DE production next season.

The final drive. The punt fake took balls and hats off to Franklin for making the call. It was actually really smart too with hindsight - with 5 minutes left he was worried they wouldn’t get the ball back lose. So with 3 TOs left and short field, they’d at least guarantee getting the ball back. Best call of his career IMO. Then the two conversions to finish it off without giving Minny the ball, hell yeah, play to win.

Let’s wipe the floor with MD and get healthy for a playoff run. Just win. All these upsets week to week and we’ve just found a way to win.

While I give Franklin all the credit in the world for making those gutsy decisions late in the game, I thought he should’ve gone for at least one of the two 4th and shorts in the first half.

 

[Delcolion915]

There should not have even been two 4th and 1 plays in the first quarter: Both Warren and Wallace had the first down the play prior and the ball was marked back.

 

[creamery]

I had been most nervous about this game since the midpoint of the season. Minny had all the ingredients for an upset - home, off a bye, PSU consecutive road games. They’re also a decent, tough, fundamental team. Throw in ST errors, that could’ve been the end of the season.

Coach K’s worst called game (outside of OSU) of the season. Baffling playcalling in key moments, over and over. Franklin bailed him out. I think we need to quit the Pribula package, too predictable. Warren/singleton need to be the bread and butter of the offense. They are our true talent outside of Allar.

Singleton seems back to 100%. He should’ve been in over Allen every play down the stretch. Something is off with Allen.

Thought the OL played well. Rucci played well and they established the run in the second half.

I thought this was a bad game by our safeties. Reed was out of position or late on a number of big plays and Wheatley continues to be a liability in space. Wheatley is a poor tackler.

Conversely, I thought the LBs played well tonight. Dom had a pick, King tackled well, and Rojas was picking the correct gaps.

DL - such a mixed bag with this group. Carter played well in IMO - that LT was REALLY good, and the attention they paid Carter allowed Durant to DOMINATE. Yes, Bosmer dropped that fumble, Carter played the option perfectly and caused the indecision of the QB, then trounced to blow up the recovery.

Vanover, Vilbert, and DDS are average at best on the other DE spot, really disappointing to be honest. DDS especially, he plays so upright and has no twitch at all, he’s strong but really has very little athleticism. I’m worried about DE production next season.

The final drive. The punt fake took balls and hats off to Franklin for making the call. It was actually really smart too with hindsight - with 5 minutes left he was worried they wouldn’t get the ball back lose. So with 3 TOs left and short field, they’d at least guarantee getting the ball back. Best call of his career IMO. Then the two conversions to finish it off without giving Minny the ball, hell yeah, play to win.

Let’s wipe the floor with MD and get healthy for a playoff run. Just win. All these upsets week to week and we’ve just found a way to win.

Some really good points you make. Would elaborate on 3 things.

1. Expected much more from DDS as a 5 star. Rarely gets to the passer and not great in run D. This hurts our pass D. I’ve been pleased to see Carter come on and thought his pass rushing was weak early on but he’s been very good of late. DDS should stay but I doubt he will. Hello transfer portal…
2. Kotelnicki is interesting. He has a better rhythm with his play calling than Yurcich did but gets too tricky sometimes. Does a great job keeping our play makers involved. I think he’s done a great job overall with what he’s working with.
3. Would add on the blocked punt - I thought this was on the punter here. He had space up the middle to kick clean but went right to where the rush was coming from. I know Aussie kickers go to the side but he needed to get rid of it quick and where the space was. And it was a terrible time for a blocked kick.

 

[PSUSignore]

I'll trade error free special teams play for a great fake punt any day of the week. I can't stand rugby style punting to begin with. After yesterday, I'd love never to see it again.

That block looked like it was 100% on the punter. He was lollygagging after getting the ball, took way too much time and an extra step or two.

 

[republion]

I'll trade error free special teams play for a great fake punt any day of the week. I can't stand rugby style punting to begin with. After yesterday, I'd love never to see it again.

Watching him delay his kick (as they all do now waiting for defenders to get downfield) and then angling to the outside to kick it right into the guy who blocked it, is the definition of an unforced error. Mind numbing indeed.

 

[mgkpsu]

The running game sucked in the first half, 10 yards, and Allen had 0 carries. He immediately got 7+ yards on his first 2 carries in the second half. Allen absolutely needs to be involved in the running game. He's the better physical runner, Singleton is better in space. They complement each other well and both need to be involved.

Allen had 1.4 per carry, and both had ample opportunity to get going in the second half. Allen is big, and somehow manages to be slow and not powerful at the same time, and I am amazed when smaller defensive players are able to easily tackle him by the ankles.

Singleton is special.

 

[RickinDayton]

The running game sucked in the first half, 10 yards, and Allen had 0 carries. He immediately got 7+ yards on his first 2 carries in the second half. Allen absolutely needs to be involved in the running game. He's the better physical runner, Singleton is better in space. They complement each other well and both need to be involved.

How about Nick Singleton as a slot receiver? That could be his professional future. He rarely breaks tackles and NFL RBs have to be able to break tackles. Not sure his vision as a RB is up to par.

 

[rrdd2021]

If you go to Minny's Gopherhole site, some of them were griping about PSU getting all of the calls and - of course - how the PSU OL was getting away with holding. The reason: the B1G people in charge want to possibly see 4 teams in the Playoffs and a PSU loss yesterday could have been extremely damaging to PSU's chances. It's always the same ..... especially the almost certain other team getting away with OL holding BS.

 

[LandoComando]

Allen had 1.4 per carry, and both had ample opportunity to get going in the second half. Allen is big, and somehow manages to be slow and not powerful at the same time, and I am amazed when smaller defensive players are able to easily tackle him by the ankles.

Singleton is special.

Allen lost yards on poorly designed plays. He's very important to this offense if we're going to win anything on the post season
Singleton is highly overrated. He's an above average back, better than Allen aside from vision, but not special. Warren is special. Allar is special. Carter is special. Singleton is very good but his lack of vision prevents him from being special.

 

[bono47]

If you go to Minny's Gopherhole site, some of them were griping about PSU getting all of the calls and - of course - how the PSU OL was getting away with holding. The reason: the B1G people in charge want to possibly see 4 teams in the Playoffs and a PSU loss yesterday could have been extremely damaging to PSU's chances. It's always the same ..... especially the almost certain OL getting away with holding BS.

Were they talking about the Minny Lord of Leaping who didn't get called for his jump during the blocked PT? How about the fact that somehow the Minny O line looked like the most disciplined line in the country not getting flagged with any holds either.

 

[PSU Soupy]

The person who blocked the extra point beat our guy to the inside, seemed like a clean play. On the other side, just next to the center, one of the Minn lineman hurdled our line which is not allowed.

I like the combo of Allan and Singleton. Singleton is a one foot in the ground and go guy, with all of his speed, he does not juke a lot of guys and he rarely makes people miss and if they get a hit on him, he goes down. His speed is impressive if we can get him the ball in space.

Allar has to trust his WRs more. He has been coached to avoid the Interceptions but there are times when our WRs are getting free and he does not cut it loose. He will cut it loose to Warren, because he has confidence in Warren.

Thought that the DL played pretty well yesterday. King at LB played well and other than the sack by Rojas and the INT by Delucca we did not get much from our outside LBs.

DBs played ok, there were throws that just seemed to be out of grasp. The QB was pretty accurate even when under pressure.

 

[LandoComando]

The person who blocked the extra point beat our guy to the inside, seemed like a clean play. On the other side, just next to the center, one of the Minn lineman hurdled our line which is not allowed.

I like the combo of Allan and Singleton. Singleton is a one foot in the ground and go guy, with all of his speed, he does not juke a lot of guys and he rarely makes people miss and if they get a hit on him, he goes down. His speed is impressive if we can get him the ball in space.

Allar has to trust his WRs more. He has been coached to avoid the Interceptions but there are times when our WRs are getting free and he does not cut it loose. He will cut it loose to Warren, because he has confidence in Warren.

Thought that the DL played pretty well yesterday. King at LB played well and other than the sack by Rojas and the INT by Delucca we did not get much from our outside LBs.

DBs played ok, there were throws that just seemed to be out of grasp. The QB was pretty accurate even when under pressure.

Has Allar's WRs earned trust?

 

[tboyer]

I didn't like the predictability. If all you're going to do is run out of the Pribula package, it's effectively telling the D you're running, you only have to defend the side Pribula goes to. The only way the Pribula package makes sense is if they pass out of it fairly regularly.

The other thing that bothered me was Warren on the wildcat just running into the center of the line and not making 1st down TWICE when Singleton was wide open on the pitch and would have had the 1st easily. Second time, SIngleton would have scored untouched because Minnesota had everyone at the center of the line to stop Warren.

Really to have it happen a second time is is on the coaches -- it means no one on the offensive staff talked to Warren and reminded him to look at what the defense was doing and pitch to Singleton if that's where the play is. If the D gives you something, take it.

Predictability is poison.

 

[RickinDayton]

I didn't like the predictability. If all you're going to do is run out of the Pribula package, it's effectively telling the D you're running, you only have to defend the side Pribula goes to. The only way the Pribula package makes sense is if they pass out of it fairly regularly.

The other thing that bothered me was Warren on the wildcat just running into the center of the line and not making 1st down TWICE when Singleton was wide open on the pitch and would have had the 1st easily. Second time, SIngleton would have scored easily because Minnesota had everyone at the center of the line to stop Warren.

Predictability is poison.

Good observations, especially on the failure of Warren to pitch to Singleton.

 

[LMTLION]

That block looked like it was 100% on the punter. He was lollygagging after getting the ball, took way too much time and an extra step or two.

I think he read a novel and took a nap between the snap and punting the ball. It was one of the worst punter mistakes I have ever seen.

 

[bcspsu]

I think he read a novel and took a nap between the snap and punting the ball. It was one of the worst punter mistakes I have ever seen.

What is it with all of these Aussies coming over and punting like Australian Rules Football? Where are all of the kids who punt like it used to be done. It just seems to me that you lose so much by punting while running.

Also, let’s face it, Thompson is pretty underwhelming as a punter.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

I think we need to do mainly 2 TE sets from here on out. It just makes too much sense. We don’t have good WRs, we have good TEs that can block and catch.

 

[rrdd2021]

Were they talking about the Minny Lord of Leaping who didn't get called for his jump during the blocked PT? How about the fact that somehow the Minny O line looked like the most disciplined line in the country not getting flagged with any holds either.

You're making my point. It's always about the opposing team getting away with holding and, of course, the home team never holds.

And besides, catching OL holding is almost impossible-very rare when watching the game on TV as the cameras are always zeroed in on the QB, RBs, and some times the WRs when they get open. Those TV cameras are moving around covering the skilled players and usually just show flashes of the OL.

Same with watching a game in person at the stadium. Unless you're zeroed on a lineman, it's hard to catch holding. I'm zeroed in on the QB and other skilled players that are making the plays.

And the thing about it is that I never hear HCs (Franklin, Day, etc....) complain about the OL holding of the opposing team. Why? Their OL is doing the same. But don't try telling that to fan bases. It's always the opposing team that's holding, never their OL

 

[psuno1]

PSU needs to throw that deep ball to Evans like three time a game, get rid of the two Qb's on the field plays, get the ball to Warren and Singleton as much as possible and Allen need to start run north and south instead of east and west. DDS needs to step it up and make some plays, Wheatly need to learn how to brake down and tackle.

 

[wilbury]

I think we need to do mainly 2 TE sets from here on out. It just makes too much sense. We don’t have good WRs, we have good TEs that can block and catch.

That would be dumb. Dinkins is not a good blocker. He was burnt multiple times yesterday.

 

[wilbury]

I had been most nervous about this game since the midpoint of the season. Minny had all the ingredients for an upset - home, off a bye, PSU consecutive road games. They’re also a decent, tough, fundamental team. Throw in ST errors, that could’ve been the end of the season.

Coach K’s worst called game (outside of OSU) of the season. Baffling playcalling in key moments, over and over. Franklin bailed him out. I think we need to quit the Pribula package, too predictable. Warren/singleton need to be the bread and butter of the offense. They are our true talent outside of Allar.

Singleton seems back to 100%. He should’ve been in over Allen every play down the stretch. Something is off with Allen.

Thought the OL played well. Rucci played well and they established the run in the second half.

I thought this was a bad game by our safeties. Reed was out of position or late on a number of big plays and Wheatley continues to be a liability in space. Wheatley is a poor tackler.

Conversely, I thought the LBs played well tonight. Dom had a pick, King tackled well, and Rojas was picking the correct gaps.

DL - such a mixed bag with this group. Carter played well in IMO - that LT was REALLY good, and the attention they paid Carter allowed Durant to DOMINATE. Yes, Bosmer dropped that fumble, Carter played the option perfectly and caused the indecision of the QB, then trounced to blow up the recovery.

Vanover, Vilbert, and DDS are average at best on the other DE spot, really disappointing to be honest. DDS especially, he plays so upright and has no twitch at all, he’s strong but really has very little athleticism. I’m worried about DE production next season.

The final drive. The punt fake took balls and hats off to Franklin for making the call. It was actually really smart too with hindsight - with 5 minutes left he was worried they wouldn’t get the ball back lose. So with 3 TOs left and short field, they’d at least guarantee getting the ball back. Best call of his career IMO. Then the two conversions to finish it off without giving Minny the ball, hell yeah, play to win.

Let’s wipe the floor with MD and get healthy for a playoff run. Just win. All these upsets week to week and we’ve just found a way to win.

I can't agree on the OL. They were the primary reason we struggled. They had a terrible day but injuries played a role too.

 

[JWB389]

What is it with all of these Aussies coming over and punting like Australian Rules Football? Where are all of the kids who punt like it used to be done. It just seems to me that you lose so much by punting while running.

Also, let’s face it, Thompson is pretty underwhelming as a punter.

There’s something to be gained by having someone back there that’s been punting in real games since he was about 10 years old, too.

 

[LeatherHelmets]

What is it with all of these Aussies coming over and punting like Australian Rules Football? Where are all of the kids who punt like it used to be done. It just seems to me that you lose so much by punting while running.

Also, let’s face it, Thompson is pretty underwhelming as a punter.

Thompson was decent last year. He's been very mediocre at best this season. I can't think of a game where he was the better punter than the other teams punter.

 

[RickinDayton]

Thompson was decent last year. He's been very mediocre at best this season. I can't think of a game where he was the better punter than the other teams punter.

Are there not other punters on the team? Might be time to try someone else ala Barker for Sander S. Can they really be that much worse?

 

[ryoder1]

On the blocked punt, Reynolds had the guy decently blocked but Thompson almost went straight to the spot (really the only spot) where the Minny defender could get a hand on it. He kicked it into his hand. The guy did not block it with that much force. That was on Thompson.

Singleton along with obviously Warren are our two guys on offense. We need to plan the offense around these two. Allen has little vision and is not elusive at all. He plays like a fullback. Just plows ahead but not good in the open field. He can break some weaker tackles but overall is average in breaking tackles for his size.

Evans has the ability to get open deep so we need to figure out how to call his number at certain times.

We have to get Luke Reynolds on the field more. More sets with him and Warren where Warren can be a decoy and we go to Reynolds.

On defense I thought it was a "C" game. I wonder if there is a stat for a defense giving up points on an opponent's first drive? If so we would have to be at the bottom. Again. we give up a TD the first time the opponent touches the ball.

I think Franklin had little faith on the ability of our D to get a stop when we were up 1 with 5 minutes left. Hence the fake punt call. It was a great call. We had just given up about a 50 yard drive for a Minny FG so it was not like our D was impenetrable. Also if we don't get the fake punt there was enough time to hopefully hold them to a FG and then get the ball back.

All in all it was a gutsy win and one that strengthens our mental fortitude. This was a game we lose in years past but I believe Allar is the difference versus past years. The guy is a clear leader for us, is making plays for us in the clutch and is not getting rattled in the clutch.

 

[bvillebaron]

The running game sucked in the first half, 10 yards, and Allen had 0 carries. He immediately got 7+ yards on his first 2 carries in the second half. Allen absolutely needs to be involved in the running game. He's the better physical runner, Singleton is better in space. They complement each other well and both need to be involved.

Singleton was better than Allen yesterday in all aspects including physicality. I agree with the original poster; something seemed off with Allen yesterday. He also cannot run laterally

 

[bvillebaron]

Has Allar's WRs earned trust?

No

 

[bvillebaron]

On the blocked punt, Reynolds had the guy decently blocked but Thompson almost went straight to the spot (really the only spot) where the Minny defender could get a hand on it. He kicked it into his hand. The guy did not block it with that much force. That was on Thompson.

Singleton along with obviously Warren are our two guys on offense. We need to plan the offense around these two. Allen has little vision and is not elusive at all. He plays like a fullback. Just plows ahead but not good in the open field. He can break some weaker tackles but overall is average in breaking tackles for his size.

Evans has the ability to get open deep so we need to figure out how to call his number at certain times.

We have to get Luke Reynolds on the field more. More sets with him and Warren where Warren can be a decoy and we go to Reynolds.

On defense I thought it was a "C" game. I wonder if there is a stat for a defense giving up points on an opponent's first drive? If so we would have to be at the bottom. Again. we give up a TD the first time the opponent touches the ball.

I think Franklin had little faith on the ability of our D to get a stop when we were up 1 with 5 minutes left. Hence the fake punt call. It was a great call. We had just given up about a 50 yard drive for a Minny FG so it was not like our D was impenetrable. Also if we don't get the fake punt there was enough time to hopefully hold them to a FG and then get the ball back.

All in all it was a gutsy win and one that strengthens our mental fortitude. This was a game we lose in years past but I believe Allar is the difference versus past years. The guy is a clear leader for us, is making plays for us in the clutch and is not getting rattled in the clutch.

I also think Franklin did an excellent job of calming Allar down on the sidelines mid way through the 3rd quarter.

 

[GregInPitt]

Some really good points you make. Would elaborate on 3 things.

1. Expected much more from DDS as a 5 star. Rarely gets to the passer and not great in run D. This hurts our pass D. I’ve been pleased to see Carter come on and thought his pass rushing was weak early on but he’s been very good of late. DDS should stay but I doubt he will. Hello transfer portal…
2. Kotelnicki is interesting. He has a better rhythm with his play calling than Yurcich did but gets too tricky sometimes. Does a great job keeping our play makers involved. I think he’s done a great job overall with what he’s working with.
3. Would add on the blocked punt - I thought this was on the punter here. He had space up the middle to kick clean but went right to where the rush was coming from. I know Aussie kickers go to the side but he needed to get rid of it quick and where the space was. And it was a terrible time for a blocked kick.

DDS leads the B10 in running past sacks and getting juked to miss tackles. As was said he runs upright and never breaks down near the point of contact to get wide enough to recover from a juke or even basic movement of his target. After he's told he won't be a day 1 or 2 pick he may come back. Needs to slim down and work on his mobility.

Will need a good DE from the portal for the position to be very good in 2025 but there are lots of young DE's on the roster that could surprise us after another year in the S&C and practice. And if Fisher can somehow come back and get healthy he could be the big DE that is a run stopper in 2025.

Wonder if Durant comes back. The market for 280 lb DT's in the NFL isn't super but he sure does a nice job of disrupting offenses for PSU.

I watched the game in 60 this afternoon as well and wasn't nearly as critical as I believe I was during the game. Singleton had some nice runs - just doesn't seem to be able to make the guy 8 yards down the field miss to get solidly into the secondary with speed but he seems to have his speed back.

Is Allen hurt? Boy, he looked weak and slow in the game. He ran east/west a couple of times and he clearly doesn't have the speed or quickness to do that.

Secondary pass coverage didn't seem as good as some other games. Don't understand why Mills seemed to be getting so much playing time. Was one of the Safety's injured? I saw a lot of Reed, some of Wheatley, and I can't remember seeing Lane.

I counted the punter on the blocked punt with 6 steps. Just not the field position to get too cute. Take 2 steps and try and boom it as far as you can and let the coverage team do their jobs.

Oh, and King is to heart and sole of the run defense. Lots of contributors but King seems to be the surest tackler, seems to be where he's supposed to almost always, and takes good angles to tackles.

 

[LandoComando]

On the blocked punt, Reynolds had the guy decently blocked but Thompson almost went straight to the spot (really the only spot) where the Minny defender could get a hand on it. He kicked it into his hand. The guy did not block it with that much force. That was on Thompson.

Singleton along with obviously Warren are our two guys on offense. We need to plan the offense around these two. Allen has little vision and is not elusive at all. He plays like a fullback. Just plows ahead but not good in the open field. He can break some weaker tackles but overall is average in breaking tackles for his size.

Evans has the ability to get open deep so we need to figure out how to call his number at certain times.

We have to get Luke Reynolds on the field more. More sets with him and Warren where Warren can be a decoy and we go to Reynolds.

On defense I thought it was a "C" game. I wonder if there is a stat for a defense giving up points on an opponent's first drive? If so we would have to be at the bottom. Again. we give up a TD the first time the opponent touches the ball.

I think Franklin had little faith on the ability of our D to get a stop when we were up 1 with 5 minutes left. Hence the fake punt call. It was a great call. We had just given up about a 50 yard drive for a Minny FG so it was not like our D was impenetrable. Also if we don't get the fake punt there was enough time to hopefully hold them to a FG and then get the ball back.

All in all it was a gutsy win and one that strengthens our mental fortitude. This was a game we lose in years past but I believe Allar is the difference versus past years. The guy is a clear leader for us, is making plays for us in the clutch and is not getting rattled in the clutch.

Most of this is good but Allen has much better vision than Singleton. And Allar is the second guy on offense. Singleton is 3.

 

[royboy]

Most of this is good but Allen has much better vision than Singleton. And Allar is the second guy on offense. Singleton is 3.

Huh?

I'll take Singleton at 6.0 yds/carry vs Kaytron at 4.5 yds/carry. Especially now that Singleton appears to be healthy and moving well.

 

[LandoComando]

Huh?

I'll take Singleton at 6.0 yds/carry vs Kaytron at 4.5 yds/carry. Especially now that Singleton appears to be healthy and moving well.

That's not "vision"--no one is arguing the stats or Singelton has better speed/quickness. Singleton lacks vision.
Allen's issue is how we use him--watch his first two runs yesterday--he's very productive when we aren't making it obvious he's getting the ball when Beau is next to him

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

DDS leads the B10 in running past sacks and getting juked to miss tackles. As was said he runs upright and never breaks down near the point of contact to get wide enough to recover from a juke or even basic movement of his target. After he's told he won't be a day 1 or 2 pick he may come back. Needs to slim down and work on his mobility.

Will need a good DE from the portal for the position to be very good in 2025 but there are lots of young DE's on the roster that could surprise us after another year in the S&C and practice. And if Fisher can somehow come back and get healthy he could be the big DE that is a run stopper in 2025.

Wonder if Durant comes back. The market for 280 lb DT's in the NFL isn't super but he sure does a nice job of disrupting offenses for PSU.

I watched the game in 60 this afternoon as well and wasn't nearly as critical as I believe I was during the game. Singleton had some nice runs - just doesn't seem to be able to make the guy 8 yards down the field miss to get solidly into the secondary with speed but he seems to have his speed back.

Is Allen hurt? Boy, he looked weak and slow in the game. He ran east/west a couple of times and he clearly doesn't have the speed or quickness to do that.

Secondary pass coverage didn't seem as good as some other games. Don't understand why Mills seemed to be getting so much playing time. Was one of the Safety's injured? I saw a lot of Reed, some of Wheatley, and I can't remember seeing Lane.

I counted the punter on the blocked punt with 6 steps. Just not the field position to get too cute. Take 2 steps and try and boom it as far as you can and let the coverage team do their jobs.

Oh, and King is to heart and sole of the run defense. Lots of contributors but King seems to be the surest tackler, seems to be where he's supposed to almost always, and takes good angles to tackles.

DDS looked awful, embarrassing performance really. If he’s that hurt then he shouldn’t play.

 

[GregInPitt]

Huh?

I'll take Singleton at 6.0 yds/carry vs Kaytron at 4.5 yds/carry. Especially now that Singleton appears to be healthy and moving well.

I hope we see Martin get 10 carries against MD to see what he can do.....

 

[RickinDayton]

DDS looked awful, embarrassing performance really. If he’s that hurt then he shouldn’t play.

He is ineffective. I'd rather have Vanover in there. Not as talented but gives better effort.

 

[LMTLION]

Most of this is good but Allen has much better vision than Singleton. And Allar is the second guy on offense. Singleton is 3.

Allen dances way too much before committing to hit the hole. I’m losing faith in him this year.

 

[creamery freak]

Huh?

I'll take Singleton at 6.0 yds/carry vs Kaytron at 4.5 yds/carry. Especially now that Singleton appears to be healthy and moving well.

The swing passes to Singleton are there all day against everyone we've played getting 5-10 yards. I'd wear that out until they stop it.