Penn State Nittany Lions 79, Idaho Vandals 7
Well, it was better than watching continuing hurricane projections that keep us on edge. I stayed awake through most of the game, but I can draw almost no conclusions from what I saw. Oh, yeah, maybe one: the first game of the year can almost fill Beaver Stadium even though it’s a foregone conclusion what all those fans are going to see. That’s encouraging spirit! And as expected, Penn State got the “W”, which inspired the huge, ugly drop-cap to the left. (Plus, I like to play with blog formatting when I’m bored and don’t have much to write about).
Newbie
Sean Clifford clearly had a case of nerves before his first start, but he settled down behind the suspect offensive line. Couldn’t draw any conclusions about that O-Line because against the famed Idaho Vandals pass rush, they looked like those guys on Bluto’s team in the Popeye cartoon.
What about special teams?
My favorite guy from last year, Mac Hippenhammer should have been returning punts the whole game instead of K.J. Hamler, who is too valuable to lose in a meaningless game. However, if Mac has been on the case for the whole game, the score might have been less lopsided, like 66-10 instead of 79-7. Two chances and two muffs for Mac the Knife. And Academic All-America Blake Gillikin had a really ugly shank. So, are special teams improving? Well, a long field goal and many non-returnable kickoffs say “maybe”.
Don’t get hurt out there!
Pat Freiermuth took a helmet-to-helmet shot toward the and of the first half and didn’t return. That’s the danger of these crappy, lopsided cupcake games — that someone crucial to the real season will be injured. He did appear chipper and functional on the sideline during the second half. I hope he’ll be OK.
The running back committee all looked good as did our three primary pass targets. What did you expect?
Anyhow, not much learned, and as for entertainment value, somewhat akin to watching 10 re-runs of the 1973 Belmont Stakes — uplifting, but repetitive.
Elsewhere
Tommy Stevens had a good first start with the Bulldogs. They won, and he was something like 20-30 with two TDs and I think he ran for another, but I’m too lazy too look that up and confirm it.
Purdue got beat by Nevada. So much for my hopes for Purdue.
Northwestern and Stanford played the most boring game ever.
And that’s it from the Turkey Coop for Week One.
I’ll be back during the week with my sarcastic take on Buffalo, Dorian permitting.
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Big Al says
One more scrimmage to get through before the real season begins. Based on that game we may have a running back controversy on our hands – Ford and Cain looked better to me than Slade and Journey. It will be interesting to see who enters the transfer portal at the end of the season.
Wasn’t impressed with Clifford – he looks like a “game manager” rather than a difference maker. It least he proved me wrong about not putting enough arc on his passes – one of his TD passes was a real arm punt – fortunately no d backs were within 15 yards of the receiver.
Good luck with Dorian once it decides to stop hanging out in Freeport.
psudrozz says
While Idaho did look like a juco team, I was impressed with the talent of the PSU skill players. What I’m trying to say is that I know it’s Idaho-the talent of the WRs and RBs still stood out to me.
Cliff ripped a TD right out of Slade’s hands in the first. Was kinda hiarious watching Slade run into the endzone unobstructed, turn around, and see Clifford stuffed at the line. Gotta work on those RPOs.
Saw nothing that would lead to a conclusion of improved OL.
Franklin screwed up a few playcalls in the first, but like Clifford, settled in.