Game observations and a farewell until next year

[gregoryj95]

I come, and go, in peace. Thanks for the discussion and tolerance during my visits to this board over the last week.

Pitt fans at the game: Saw quite a few out tailgating, but it strangely seemed like not as many in the stadium. Most Pitt fans were in mixed groups with PSU fans, although there were a few good-sized Pitt tailgates as well. I saw nothing but good behavior from both sides, and had at least a dozen interactions with Pitt fans, all of them cordial and respectful. Further proof that the percentage of wingnuts is higher on BWI and the Lair than in the general population of both fan bases.

The crowd: Although it was a big crowd, there was an odd lack of excitement. Maybe everyone was already burned out from the vitriol leading up to the game. With the exception of a few big moments, it was just eerily quiet - by far the quietest sellout I've ever witnessed. Kinda sucked. It could also be that with a couple of big plays early and then a mostly boring game after, it was anticlimactic. Most Penn State fans wanted to see another offensive explosion by the Lions, but Pitt simply did not allow that. Also, with Pitt dominating time of possession and converting on a number of 3rd and 4th downs, it was a frustrating game to watch from a PSU perspective.

The trenches: It felt like Pitt more than held their own in the middle of both lines. PSU's DTs got little push, and the clever delayed blocking schemes by Pitt seemed to open holes when needed. With the reverse being true, with Pitt's DTs seeming in the backfield instantly on 3rd down. Playcalling had something to do with both issues. PSU did better on the edges, but you guys have some very good players in the trenches on both sides.

Qadree Ollison: Damn, he's a load. Just looked up the stats to see 15 rushes for 96 yards. It seemed more like 30 rushes for 196. He just kept getting 1st downs.

Shovel passes: I hope I never see one again.

Pitt's season: If Pitt can play like they did on Saturday, which is not a given, they win 8-9 games. It's a better team than I realized, just need a few more game breakers and some consistency at QB.

Big plays, special teams: This was the reversal from last year. PSUs special teams were the saving grace, and combined with a couple of gifts to the PSU defense from Browne, made the difference. Speed on PSU kick coverage surprised Henderson, and he is unlikely to struggle like that again. That was the biggest surprise of the game for me.

Pitt defense: Never, ever, ever did I expect Pitt to hold PSU to 300 yards and change. I called for 500+ yard in the score prediction thread on this board, and boy was I wrong. Oops.

Post game stuff: Not sure if Franklin was trolling with the "same as beating Akron" quote or if he wanted to take it back as soon as he said it. Compared to that keychain nonsense and the horrible things said after Pitt's win last year, both at Heinz after the game on social media, I'm just going to say it is what it is, and anyone who wants to stay upset about it can have at it. I was very surprised to hear how many of the PSU players were and are angry about the things said to them by (what I assume is a small minority of) Pitt fans after the 2016 game. I guess that angst will remain a part of this series for the next two years.

The future: I'm solidly in the camp of playing these next two games and being done with each other. The rivalry lacks the respect that I think true rivalries should have, and it seems like it's all sour grapes on both sides at this point. We're all from the same country, we went to school in the same state, and we have more in common than we have differences. The whole thing just feels like bad juju to me, and it's clear that familiarity breeds contempt. Two more years of this, and I hope PSU wins them both in good games, and let's go our separate ways after that.

Thanks again, and good luck the rest of the season.

 

[JoeScaz]

It didn't look like many in the stadium because of breaking the tickets up and putting them all over. Also, many Pitt fans also wear blue... Pitt had around 4k at the game.

 

[RoguePanther]

Oddly enough, I think I agree with you on ending the series and calling it quits. It has been very anticlimatic. I think I much prefer to hate on the hoopies. Never thought I'd say that ,but that's where I'm at right now. Besides, there's no where to stay in state college and I hate renting RVs ...too much damn work.

 

[GT74]

I come, and go, in peace. Thanks for the discussion and tolerance during my visits to this board over the last week.

Pitt fans at the game: Saw quite a few out tailgating, but it strangely seemed like not as many in the stadium. Most Pitt fans were in mixed groups with PSU fans, although there were a few good-sized Pitt tailgates as well. I saw nothing but good behavior from both sides, and had at least a dozen interactions with Pitt fans, all of them cordial and respectful. Further proof that the percentage of wingnuts is higher on BWI and the Lair than in the general population of both fan bases.

The crowd: Although it was a big crowd, there was an odd lack of excitement. Maybe everyone was already burned out from the vitriol leading up to the game. With the exception of a few big moments, it was just eerily quiet - by far the quietest sellout I've ever witnessed. Kinda sucked. It could also be that with a couple of big plays early and then a mostly boring game after, it was anticlimactic. Most Penn State fans wanted to see another offensive explosion by the Lions, but Pitt simply did not allow that. Also, with Pitt dominating time of possession and converting on a number of 3rd and 4th downs, it was a frustrating game to watch from a PSU perspective.

The trenches: It felt like Pitt more than held their own in the middle of both lines. PSU's DTs got little push, and the clever delayed blocking schemes by Pitt seemed to open holes when needed. With the reverse being true, with Pitt's DTs seeming in the backfield instantly on 3rd down. Playcalling had something to do with both issues. PSU did better on the edges, but you guys have some very good players in the trenches on both sides.

Qadree Ollison: Damn, he's a load. Just looked up the stats to see 15 rushes for 96 yards. It seemed more like 30 rushes for 196. He just kept getting 1st downs.

Shovel passes: I hope I never see one again.

Pitt's season: If Pitt can play like they did on Saturday, which is not a given, they win 8-9 games. It's a better team than I realized, just need a few more game breakers and some consistency at QB.

Big plays, special teams: This was the reversal from last year. PSUs special teams were the saving grace, and combined with a couple of gifts to the PSU defense from Browne, made the difference. Speed on PSU kick coverage surprised Henderson, and he is unlikely to struggle like that again. That was the biggest surprise of the game for me.

Pitt defense: Never, ever, ever did I expect Pitt to hold PSU to 300 yards and change. I called for 500+ yard in the score prediction thread on this board, and boy was I wrong. Oops.

Post game stuff: Not sure if Franklin was trolling with the "same as beating Akron" quote or if he wanted to take it back as soon as he said it. Compared to that keychain nonsense and the horrible things said after Pitt's win last year, both at Heinz after the game on social media, I'm just going to say it is what it is, and anyone who wants to stay upset about it can have at it. I was very surprised to hear how many of the PSU players were and are angry about the things said to them by (what I assume is a small minority of) Pitt fans after the 2016 game. I guess that angst will remain a part of this series for the next two years.

The future: I'm solidly in the camp of playing these next two games and being done with each other. The rivalry lacks the respect that I think true rivalries should have, and it seems like it's all sour grapes on both sides at this point. We're all from the same country, we went to school in the same state, and we have more in common than we have differences. The whole thing just feels like bad juju to me, and it's clear that familiarity breeds contempt. Two more years of this, and I hope PSU wins them both in good games, and let's go our separate ways after that.

Thanks again, and good luck the rest of the season.

Good post. You may come back with rational discussion at anytime. One comment. You mentioned about the lack of respect from two rivals. I think there is respect for the quality of the athletes and teams. After all, some of these guys are familiar with each other. Yes, I know you have had some Pitt players say things, and, of course, you have guys on PSU's team disrespect Pitt, but the majority of players respect each other. Is it different than other rivalries? Maybe, in that the teams just recently started playing again, so there is some extra built-up hatred from the fanbases. But, IMO, it probably is not much different than the other intense rivalries around the country. I've heard Bama/Aub is really off the charts, and Mich/Mich St and Mich/OSU are pretty intense too. So, all in all, there is much emotion, both good and bad associated with the game, but it is good for PA, and keeps money from the big crowds in the state when they play. I will enjoy it for the next two years, and miss it after that. Most think it is an exciting atmosphere, before and during the game.

 

[NittanyLogan'11]

Agree with everything from the OP's post except ending the series.

Look, I understand that the mindset from the Penn State side is that there's more to lose from a loss than gain from a win in this game. It makes sense, even if many Pitt fans think it's "just another excuse" haha. But there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is a true rivalry and one of the best in the sport's history.

These teams have played almost 90 times and it's nearly 50/50 in wins, that's a lot of history to ignore. The fans on both sides are completely engulfed by the commentary, the results, the recruiting, everything. Rivalries are as much fan-based as they are player-based and it is blatantly obvious that these two fanbases hate each others guts (with that said, I witnessed absolutely zero disrespect from either side on Saturday although I'm sure there were isolated incidents) and apparently the players hate each other as well. 109k people don't show up to Beaver Stadium for just any game. The student section doesn't have a Whiteout for just any game. Pitt doesn't rock dope retro unis for just any game. Heinz field doesn't sell out for just any game (had to throw 1 dig in there guys ).

I'm only 29, but grew up knowing the rivalry. Back in the early, mid, and late 90's, Penn State was still finding their way in the Big 10 and didn't have a true rivalry game. The conference tried to manifest rivalries with Minnesota and Michigan State, but nobody on either side acknowledges them as such. The thought was always Pitt. My most vivid Pitt-PSU memory is Lavar blocking a FG in '99 when Penn State was #2. The year before, Penn State was #8 and escaped with a 7-point win. That's when I learned the true meaning of a Rivalry game. Throw the records out the window. It's mano y mano, strap em up and let's play.

Saturday is what Penn State fans have been yearning for (despite the relatively docile crowd) since we joined the B1G: a true "rival". It's a shame that we (yes, I'm admitting that it was our fault) let the one true Rivalry we had fade away.

It's unlikely with a 9-game B1G conference schedule that this series will be renewed any time soon, but I won't lose hope that some day this will be an annual battle again.