Penn State became Toilet Bowl eligible and Temple didn’t when on a cold day in Beaver Stadium, the mighty Nittany Lions (6-4, 1-4 Big Ten) defeated the Hooters 30-13 before an announced crowd of 100,173 hydrophobic fans, including about six who braved the journey from Philadelphia wearing Temple Maroon.
Had the game played out as it progressed in the first half, I would have been a big winner again in the Nittany Turkey Panel of Experts Sweepstakes, but as it turns out, K. John and the gamblers had it right. K. John’s commentary about the offensive line was also well stated and pretty accurate, although Gaia still has to go. Tackling one’s own running back in the backfield is a no-no. Anyhow, nice repeat win, K. John!
Honorable mention goes to Artificially Sweetened, who predicted that Penn State would score more points than in any prior game this year. If you had counted UMass as a practice scrimmage, her prediction would have been completely accurate.
The first half was a model of the season: boring, sloppy, and mistake prone. Penn State’s first drive fizzled in classical fashion, as they were inside the red zone poised to score a touchdown and then shot themselves in the foot, as usual, with a holding call that backed them up ten yards, causing them to settle for three points. Their second drive ended in a fumble by Bill Belton, which promptly got him benched for the remainder of the half. Temple responded with a field goal of their own. Next, the Nittany Lions couldn’t move the ball and punted. The fourth PSU drive ended in a Hackenberg interception and the next two were punts. Then at the end of the half, a Sam Ficken 50 yard field goal made it 6-3 Penn State.
That’s a typical Penn State first half in 2014, especially with the noon start, the cold, and the less than full Beaver Stadium. However, the second half would play out differently. Some hack so-called journalists will call it “A Tale of Two Halves” and to them I flip the almighty bird.
The second half didn’t start well for either team. Temple missed a field goal and Hack suffered his requisite second interception, which set up a Temple field goal. But Penn State replied with a touchdown on two long runs by the formerly disgraced Belton and the very effective Akeel Lynch. At that point, the Penn State defense decided that they would have to take over the game, and did so, with four interceptions and a fumble recovery.
The first interception of the hapless P. J. Walker by Adrian Amos was returned for 33 yards to the Temple 8 yard line. On the next play, Belton ran it (yes, RAN it) into the end zone. But Temple replied with a P. J. Walker 75-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Fitzpatrick, who badly beat Jordan Lucas, to make it 20-13 Penn State at the end of the third quarter. Temple wouldn’t score again after that. Penn State added a pick-six by Grant Haley, and then a Temple fumble led to a Sam Ficken 21 yard field goal.
One more interception of P. J. by Jesse Della Valle and a blocked Ficken field goal ensured that this game would not go into the history books as a pretty one. But Penn State got a 30-13 win, and that’s what the history book will show, first and foremost.
Christian Hackenberg had a fairly crappy day, but Walker’s was crappier. Hack’s line was 12-26 for 112 yards (making defenses cringe in terror), two INTs and no TDs, while Walker was 17-38 for 187 yards with one TD and FOUR INTs. Their QBRs wound up 12.7 and 10.5, respectively.
More importantly, the run was working for Penn State while the PSU defense pretty much shut down Temple’s running game, forcing the pass and the interceptions. (As Darrel Royal — not Woody Hayes — said first, “When you throw the ball, three things can happen, and two are bad.”). Although they sucked at third down conversions as usual, converting only four of 13, the Nittany Lions amazing rushers had 254 yards led by Akeel Lynch with 130 (net of the loss due to Gaia’s TFL) and Belton with 92. Meanwhile, Temple had more yards from interception returns (72) than they did from running the ball (61).
With eight turnovers and a blocked kick, this game was all I expected, but not being a Sanguinarian I failed to anticipate the improvements in the offensive line and hence, the running game. The defense was staunch and unyielding, as usual. Let me not overlook that. On the other hand, Hackenberg, whom the announcers thought had a renewed spring in his step, was unimpressive. He still holds onto the ball too long, makes poor decisions, rushes horrible throws, and he failed to spot an open DaeSean Hamilton and Bill Belton in the end zone on the same play. (Belton had stepped out-of-bounds and had come back in, making him ineligible, but Hack didn’t know that.) One ailing anatine* throw was so awful that it evoked thoughts of Alison on “The Affair.” Defenses are not terrified, man. The pass protection was better than usual in this game, but Akeel Lynch being bowled over on one play was pure comedy. Happily, the slopfest went Penn State’s way, primarily due to good defense.
I have to give the offense some credit, though. They racked up 19 first downs and hung onto the ball for almost 36 minutes.
I hope they can continue the good fortune next week against Illinois, a similarly crappy team. I’ll return with a closer look at the forthcoming trek to Champaign.
*anatine: adj. ducklike
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Big Al says
My prediction was pretty much intact for the first 37 minutes of the game. State had outplayed Temple (outgaining them by more than 100 yards as I predicted would happen) but the Kitties still had only six points and were tied – thanks to 3 turnovers by the offense. But then, the running game generated a 2 play 75 yard touchdown drive, and, Walker wilted under State’s defense pressure – trying to force passes into tight coverage when he should have just thrown the ball away. (he must have been channeling Hack)
So, kudos to K. John. He was right about two things: (1) Penn State does have the best defense in the B1G. and (2) State’s OL is much improved when Smith and Dieffenbach are both playing. But let’s not get too carried away. The offense still generated only 13 points. The defense scored one touchdown and gave the offense a short field 3 additional times. The offense scored only 10 points fro those 3 opportunities and the only touchdown came from an eight yard drive. A month ago, the offense would have lost 10 yards and Ficken would have kicked a field goal, so that demonstrates improvement. But, come on, any semi competent offense should be able so score a touchdown in that situation
Hack still has PTSD. And State still won’t beat Illinois with a negative turnover margin (although they will beat them if the net turnover margin is even or positive) And they still aren’t guaranteed a spot in the Toilet Bowl unless they beat Illinois or Michigan loses to the Turtles.
The Nittany Turkey says
Michigan could easily lose to the Turtles. After all, said reptiles held Moo U. to only 482 yards. 🙂
If I’m Ohio State, I’m seriously worrying about Wisconsin now, as Melvin Gordon just about equaled Moo U’s entire yardage output today on his own against Nebraska. I don’t know what that has to do with the Penn State game, but I thought I’d mention it, anyway. Nebraska has no defense. I hope Bucky beats the shit out of Brutus in the BTN Mo’ Money Bowl and goes to the better post-season game. Neither will be going to the Rose Bowl for obvious reasons.
Moo U. doubled up on Maryland in just about every category, and played error-free, while the Terps turned it over four times. Even Michigan can beat them on the basis of that performance.
Back to our game, we knew that the defenses would if not do all the scoring themselves, would set up the scores, so yeah, you’re absolutely right in my book. The offense still sucks, albeit with an improved running game due to improved O-Line play. But that’s where the improvement ends. Hackenberg continues his devolution due to PTSD and we still have a lineman who doesn’t know whom to block. We’ll limp through the rest of the season, coughing up the ball and throwing interceptions, needlessly making a thriller out of the Illinois game and making a shameful rout out of the Moo U. game.
Temple did a lot of blitzing and it seemed once again that they were getting into Hack’s head. That’s the story of this season. I now carry with me a mental snapshot of Akeel Lynch being bowled over like a Joe Palooka dummy by a blitzer, which I’ll keep in mind as an iconic representation of PSU Football, 2014 Edition.
—TNT
P.S.
You and I started this PTSD shit, but now David Jones has also picked up on it. He and Flounders read this drivel from time to time, so we’re unwitting enablers.
Joe says
So I’m going to start out by asking a favor. I have a son who spent time in the Army Rangers and is now an attack helicopter pilot (Kiowa) with almost 20 years of active duty, so I would ask that we all drop the references to Hack having PTSD. My son has done 3 combat tours between Iraq and Afghanistan and so far he claims he does not have any issues. But plenty of his friends who are now out of the Army do and it is real.
Hack doesn’t have PTSD–he doesn’t have an offensive line, consistent receivers nor running game and can’t or won’t use the skills he has. Yeah he’s picked up plenty of bad habits this year more than likely due to the above situations, perhaps trying to do too much and maybe a coaching staff that just doesn’t know what to do with a pure pocket passer. So whatever he’s got, here’s hoping that with some decent blocking and at least a rudimentary running game, he’ll be back in the pink for the remaining games.
And David Jones is a hack reporter stuck in Central PA with no talent to go someplace better, so no wonder he’s swiping stuff from an obscure PS blog.
On to the game. I think we all saw the potential in this defense if they avoided the injury bug and they have, and the future looks extremely bright with only Amos, Hull and Olaniyan among the starters for next season moving on. I still think they may be the best we’ve seen at PS in quite awhile, but that 75 yard TD pass was our safety biting on a short route and leaving the deep route unprotected. Still can’t figure out what happened in the Northwestern game (don’t quote the NW-ND results as the Domers are one of the most overrated teams in the FBS) and how Barrett scored those two OT touchdowns, but I guess even among the best shit happens.
I’m assuming that having Smith and Diefenbach back on the line was the magic. They looked serviceable and did open some running lanes, but I am not ready to proclaim that this line will be ready to open holes on every down or even when needed (we still had some short yardage downs that we didn’t convert). Why the hell did Donovan call an outside run when we were 3rd and two after the review of the spot on the previous play took away the first down (and it was a crappy initial spot).
Also don’t get me wrong, Hack threw some shitty passes, but even Franklin admitted that Giesecki ran the wrong route on the one pick, Hamilton dropped a sure TD in the end zone and Carter dropped a pass down the sideline that negated a 20-30 yard gain. Granted Hack under threw the ball to Belton but he never moved on the ball to compensate for the less than accurate throw. Yeah I sit on the sofa and when Hack throws one in the dirt or misses a wide open receiver I do not hesitate asking what the fuck he’s doing, much to the annoyance of my wife, but I have no idea what it’s like to stand in a pocket with a bunch of crazed animals trying to rip your head off and go through 3 or 4 progressions looking for an open receiver.
Orchids to Ficken for the 50 yd FG; onions for another blocked attempt! I don’t think I ever remember a kicker having all his misses coming from blocked attempts. Do we have someone for next year?????
Listening to the post game interviews with the team, I for one did not realize how much it means to the seniors to be going to a bowl game this year, even if it is in Detroit or as NT likes to say Koehler Wisconsin. Yes I think they will go to one. A bowl committee is going to look at how they brought fans to Ireland and think of the frustrated PS fans and their fat wallets especially if it’s close like New York City.
Honestly, when the sanctions were announced, did any one think that we would be 8-4, 7-5 and perhaps 7-5 or 6-6 this season (no I don’t think they’ll beat MooU) in the three most tumultuous years? I sure as hell didn’t.
It will get better starting next year and if CJF keeps bringing in talent like Campbell, Haley and the other frosh that are playing (and on paper it looks like he has the touch), it’s going to be fun sooner rather than later.
The Nittany Turkey says
OK, fair enough. I’ll shitcan the use of the unofficial diagnosis of PTSD for Hackenberg. It is a serious disorder, but I’m not dissing anyone when I use it any more than I’m dissing a heart patient when I talk about having heart attacks watching PSU football. You know that. I. too, know people who have been diagnosed with the disorder, and I certainly don’t wish to offend them. So, having said my piece, I’ll avoid making such references in a casual manner.
However, I will say that Hack’s been emotionally affected by the lack of protection, and his performance in many categories is being negatively affected by his mental orientation, which is akin to being shell shocked. He’s going to have to learn to shrug that shit off if he is going to succeed. I know he’s 19 and all that, but he’s still going to have to be able to stand in there and not crumple under stress if he’s going to progress in this game. What I’ve observed is his attitude, his decision making, and his mechanics deteriorating. I frankly don’t care whether I could do his job; I’m free to observe and comment on what I see going on there, which I think is there for all to see. If not, I’ll point it out to them and let them tell me I’m wrong. The difference between this year and last year is particularly graphic, whether some relates to his not being in his comfort zone with the offensive system or whatever. I see what I see. What the hell. It might seem hypocritical, but damnit, I criticize the hell out of Obama, too. Not much chance I’ll ever be doing his job. So, it’s not the most irreverent thing I’ve ever done, not by a longshot.
The object of his being there is to have a stepping-stone to the NFL, right? He has another year or two to learn what should be instinct by now. Yeah, he’s 19, but there’s lots of money at stake. Too much to put on the shoulders of a youngster? You bet! But that’s the nature of the game he chose.
I’m not a homey who thinks Penn State can or should be 10-2 or better every year. They won the games they should have won this year, given that UCF wasn’t as good as everyone thought at the beginning of the year. Think about it hard and you’ll realize that there were only three pretty sure wins in this year’s schedule, and the rest, including UCF, were up for grabs. That’s pretty much how it has played out. Northwestern has been up and down. Their performances have been inexplicable, so there’s no need to explain our Homecoming loss. I can only suggest that the defense let down because of gamma rays, but that shit happens, as every team that was upset this weekend well knows.
The punting game wasn’t half bad for a change. That’s a good sign. So is the fact that Temple couldn’t block any punts.
I’ll tell my pal David Jones what you said about him. You don’t like his writing? LOL
—TNT
psudrozz says
i was at the game. watching hack in person is far more cringe-worthy than on tv. especially when 70k see a wide open WR in the endzone and hack throws it away.
The Nittany Turkey says
Or when he hangs onto it forever when he should throw it away. I mean, I could look at this lots of ways. One is that he had some essence of pocket presence skills last year and the constant echo of “footsteps” has gotten into his head, now creating a nervous and ineffectual quarterback. Another is that it’s not his fault at all, his skills are still there, it’s going to be fine, it’s all the fault of lousy protection, and once he has some time in the pocket, all will be well in time. Time heals all wounded quarterbacks.
I have no idea how this will play out, but I still wouldn’t blame him if he ultimately got frustrated and packed his tent for greener pastures. At that age, patience is a rare virtue, and if we’re going to be honest about the situation, he didn’t come to Penn State for the education, now, did he?
Time and the NFL wait for no man.
—TNT
Joe says
Hey what the hell, Wimbush went to ND, Burrell picked Ohio State and McLean announced today that he’s decommitting from PSU, so what’s one or two more. Others are also saying O’Connor packs his bags and leaves at the end of the season, although to allay the “he doesn’t fit the system CJF wants to run” logic that’s also being applied to Hackenberg, O’Connor was actually recruited by Franklin when he was at Vandy. If he leaves, it will be more about being 3rd string behind Hack and McSorley.
So who the hell knows what these kids are going to do, especially Hack. All I know is we should now have a scholie for a first rate punter/placekicker!
K. John says
This transfer talk is nonsense. People need to remember that they can’t just up and leave. They have to be released form the scholarship or will be unable to receive a scholarship. And no, O’Connor is not the third string quarterback. It is more complicated than that. If a backup needs to come in for mop up duty it is Crooks. If a backup needs to come in during a competitive game, it is McSorley. If a backup needs to come in for more than that, it is O’Connor. The defense is back intact. All that young talent with enter next season with a fair amount of experience. The offensive line could be poised to make a huge leap. Lost on some of the morons pushing the “system” talk is that Penn State is using a pro-style system that shares an evolutionary origin with the one O’Brien used. A big year probably sees Hackenberg (who might graduate next year) off to the NFL leaving O’Connor with three years to start. It is highly unlikely that either player requests a transfer.