I believe that we should optimistic about next week, the rest of the season, and the state of the program for a number of reasons:
1. I am very proud of the way the team played and how Narduzzi handled himself yesterday. You can play down Beaver Stadium all you want, but it is tough to play there. Could some players have balled better? Could there have been better play calling? Absolutely, 33-14 is not the outcome any of us wanted, but our guys fought the entire game and did not back down. Narduzzi is a great representative of the university and so are the rest of the players.
2. PSU is a better team and probably the best team we will see until the ACC Championship Game. I am fairly confident that Brian O'Neil, Jester Weah, and Jordan Whitehead are the only players who would start at PSU. So think about that, every position group PSU had a decided advantage. That is a tough situation. Adversity makes a lot of teams stronger and this team has experienced a lot of adversity this off-season, Week 1, and Week 2. I think they have shown a lot of resolve and I am excited to see how this team continues mature and develop.
3. For whatever reason I was really concerned over the loss of Wirginis in the off-season, but after these two weeks I'm really liking what I'm seeing from Idowu, Zeise, and Brightwell. Those guys have the skill set to be successful and are only going to get better. You will see a reduction in their mental mistakes with false steps and blown coverage as the season progresses. These dudes will all be back next year, very exciting.
4. Last year I felt bad for Ollison. I've always liked his style, but he was the odd man out in our prolific offense. This year he looks good running and catching the ball. Some people do not like him because he does not have that breakaway speed that we fans got use to with Shady, Dion Lewis, LaRod, and Ray Graham. Give Ollison and Moss the rock 30 times and see how a defense is feeling! Then give AJ Davis that rock to change it up and maybe get that long one! Also, all those dudes will be back next year.
5. After YSU I was most concerned about the lack of a pass rush and that is still in my top 4 concerns, but I thought that Camp and Watts played toughed. Didn't make a lot of plays, but were not getting pushed around. I noticed Kam Carter a couple times so I'm encouraged by that and I think this unit is really going to develop. Problem is we do not have that Ejuan Price Aaron Donald difference maker yet, but hey, we saw something from Hendrix's. I am encouraged. These dudes are also going to be back next year.
6. Avonte Maddox is a junk yard dog. I think that giving him that jet-sweep was symbolic. It told the players that we do not have Jordan today, but we have Avonte and he is going to give it his all. I want that man around Jackson, Mathis, and Pinnock. I think we got stable back there for the first time in a while. Jackson is playing with some swagger right now.
7. We played PSU without our best athlete, Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead will be back for conference play and I am excited to see him with the rest of guys mentioned above. Bricen Garner makes plays and is looking comfortable back there.
8. We played PSU without our top recruit in each of the 2015, 2016, 2017 classes. Maybe Whitehead leaves after the season, but I am pretty sure PSU will be seeing Hamlin and Paris Ford next year at Heinz Field.
9. We lost, but barring any weird injury news from Narduzzi's press conference, we did not sustain any major injuries during the game. Maybe Hodges is hurt but he made it to the sideline and walked into the locker room.
10. I'd go with DiNucci for a couple reasons. If Browne cannot throw the ball down the field accurately then what exactly is he good for? People are saying drops, but that Weah drop in my book is a wash. Weah had to interfere with the defender just to get to the ball. I watched it again, the ball is under-thrown. Who is to say if Weah does not drop it the ref does not panic and throw the flag? Also, Clark dropped that one but I think a lot of people drop that, he got destroyed on that play. Therefore, if Browne cannot throw it deep and is a statue in the pocket then he is useless. The knock on DiNucci has always been arm strength and Browne supposed strength is his arm strength, but Browne has demonstrated he is not a gamer both here and at USC. DiNucci has a quick release and is mobile. He is not Chad Voytik mobile but I think his mobility will help on the play action, read option, and jet-sweeps and open up more lanes for the backs and Henderson. DiNucci has looked good whenever he has been pressed into action, let's give him a whole week to prepare. I think we will like the results. If week stick with Browne we will probably be okay, but I think DiNucci gives us another weapon as opposed to a game manager.
11. Couple random thoughts to finish up, but for whatever reason I feel better about the season after seeing the resolve this team has shown so far. Team going to get better and be dangerous in conference play. Henderson is going to get his I am sure of that. Flanagan was a big pickup but I love that unit. Kessman remains a concern, but he bounced back. Love this recruiting class and I think 2019 is going to be the year we break through.
12. This is a rivalry, this is a rivalry, this a rivalry! They can deny it, but that is exactly what it is. It was a great week in the city with the fan bases going at each other. It needs to be a state law we have to play each other. My favorite thing about yesterday was just the visuals. The Script vs The Blue and White. Love it. It was not the outcome we wanted, but it was a pretty great day to be in Pennsylvania.
1. I am very proud of the way the team played and how Narduzzi handled himself yesterday. You can play down Beaver Stadium all you want, but it is tough to play there. Could some players have balled better? Could there have been better play calling? Absolutely, 33-14 is not the outcome any of us wanted, but our guys fought the entire game and did not back down. Narduzzi is a great representative of the university and so are the rest of the players.
2. PSU is a better team and probably the best team we will see until the ACC Championship Game. I am fairly confident that Brian O'Neil, Jester Weah, and Jordan Whitehead are the only players who would start at PSU. So think about that, every position group PSU had a decided advantage. That is a tough situation. Adversity makes a lot of teams stronger and this team has experienced a lot of adversity this off-season, Week 1, and Week 2. I think they have shown a lot of resolve and I am excited to see how this team continues mature and develop.
3. For whatever reason I was really concerned over the loss of Wirginis in the off-season, but after these two weeks I'm really liking what I'm seeing from Idowu, Zeise, and Brightwell. Those guys have the skill set to be successful and are only going to get better. You will see a reduction in their mental mistakes with false steps and blown coverage as the season progresses. These dudes will all be back next year, very exciting.
4. Last year I felt bad for Ollison. I've always liked his style, but he was the odd man out in our prolific offense. This year he looks good running and catching the ball. Some people do not like him because he does not have that breakaway speed that we fans got use to with Shady, Dion Lewis, LaRod, and Ray Graham. Give Ollison and Moss the rock 30 times and see how a defense is feeling! Then give AJ Davis that rock to change it up and maybe get that long one! Also, all those dudes will be back next year.
5. After YSU I was most concerned about the lack of a pass rush and that is still in my top 4 concerns, but I thought that Camp and Watts played toughed. Didn't make a lot of plays, but were not getting pushed around. I noticed Kam Carter a couple times so I'm encouraged by that and I think this unit is really going to develop. Problem is we do not have that Ejuan Price Aaron Donald difference maker yet, but hey, we saw something from Hendrix's. I am encouraged. These dudes are also going to be back next year.
6. Avonte Maddox is a junk yard dog. I think that giving him that jet-sweep was symbolic. It told the players that we do not have Jordan today, but we have Avonte and he is going to give it his all. I want that man around Jackson, Mathis, and Pinnock. I think we got stable back there for the first time in a while. Jackson is playing with some swagger right now.
7. We played PSU without our best athlete, Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead will be back for conference play and I am excited to see him with the rest of guys mentioned above. Bricen Garner makes plays and is looking comfortable back there.
8. We played PSU without our top recruit in each of the 2015, 2016, 2017 classes. Maybe Whitehead leaves after the season, but I am pretty sure PSU will be seeing Hamlin and Paris Ford next year at Heinz Field.
9. We lost, but barring any weird injury news from Narduzzi's press conference, we did not sustain any major injuries during the game. Maybe Hodges is hurt but he made it to the sideline and walked into the locker room.
10. I'd go with DiNucci for a couple reasons. If Browne cannot throw the ball down the field accurately then what exactly is he good for? People are saying drops, but that Weah drop in my book is a wash. Weah had to interfere with the defender just to get to the ball. I watched it again, the ball is under-thrown. Who is to say if Weah does not drop it the ref does not panic and throw the flag? Also, Clark dropped that one but I think a lot of people drop that, he got destroyed on that play. Therefore, if Browne cannot throw it deep and is a statue in the pocket then he is useless. The knock on DiNucci has always been arm strength and Browne supposed strength is his arm strength, but Browne has demonstrated he is not a gamer both here and at USC. DiNucci has a quick release and is mobile. He is not Chad Voytik mobile but I think his mobility will help on the play action, read option, and jet-sweeps and open up more lanes for the backs and Henderson. DiNucci has looked good whenever he has been pressed into action, let's give him a whole week to prepare. I think we will like the results. If week stick with Browne we will probably be okay, but I think DiNucci gives us another weapon as opposed to a game manager.
11. Couple random thoughts to finish up, but for whatever reason I feel better about the season after seeing the resolve this team has shown so far. Team going to get better and be dangerous in conference play. Henderson is going to get his I am sure of that. Flanagan was a big pickup but I love that unit. Kessman remains a concern, but he bounced back. Love this recruiting class and I think 2019 is going to be the year we break through.
12. This is a rivalry, this is a rivalry, this a rivalry! They can deny it, but that is exactly what it is. It was a great week in the city with the fan bases going at each other. It needs to be a state law we have to play each other. My favorite thing about yesterday was just the visuals. The Script vs The Blue and White. Love it. It was not the outcome we wanted, but it was a pretty great day to be in Pennsylvania.
Last edited:
