Good Day for the Lions and JoePa

OK . . . I admit, I'm way too impatient for the Lions to have a "break out game" on offensive this year. Just once in B10 competition, I'd like to see PSU have a confortable lead going into the 4th quarter. This nail biter stuff is dreadful . . . I admit, I'm getting way too old for that stuff too! If there's gonna be a break out game . . . let it be at Wisconsin next weekend!!!

Overall, I thought the team played pretty well yesterday! The "O-Line" showed up and Mr. Hunt had a huge running game - great to see that again! Morrelli for the most part showed signs of excellence at QB but still had a few lapses in judgment on several pass plays. It's all about PSU defense . . . they pitched a shutout . . . first one since 2002! I think the Lion D will keep us in the Wisconsin game and if the O-Line shows up again, we should win this one!

Last night Maryland beat the Seminoles 27-24 which brings the Bowden/Paterno total win count to 363 - 360. JoePa is gaining ground! FSU has some difficult opponents ahead (Wake Forest, Virginia, and Florida) and one gimme game. PSU has to run the table and FSU needs to lose 3 of the 4 to even the total win count. Not a likely scenario, but oh so much fun to dream about! (Miami lost yesterday too . . . yeah buddy!) I haven't been following the polls, have either FSU or Miami fallen out of the Top 10 yet this year?

12 . . . Zip over Purdue . . . we'll take it!

Hunt looked great, as did the Lion's "D". "O line improved I thought. More later!

Opening Odds Favor Penn State by 4

Away game . . . against Purdue . . . I am surprised PSU is favored by odds makers . . . Fight On State!!!

362 - 359 I think I know what Joe's up to . . .

The numbers for most wins Bowden 362, Paterno 359, as of this weekend. FSU could easily lose 4 more games this season . . . toggled with PSU victories on the same weekends, and JoePa could reclaim the winningest coach title and retire all in the same year. One small snag in the scenario is the fact that the Lions could just as easily lose 2 or 3 of their remaining games . . . IMHO, the smart money is on JoePa sticking it out until he surpasses Bowden . . . maybe this year, we'll see!

So much for comfortable and confident . . .

Cornerback Tony Davis scored on a 6-yard fumble return, Anthony Scirrotto (shown above) had two interceptions and returned an onside kick for a touchdown and Penn State overcame Illinois' ground game to defeat the Illini 26-12 Saturday. This wasn't the game I expected (probably not the one most PSU fans expected either) . . . as JoePa said at the end of the game . . . "They should have beat us . . ."

The Lions' effort on special teams and defense won this game. The offense looked very sluggish most of the game. The offensive line continues to be the weak link in what otherwise could be a decent offense - heaven knows, the impact players are a talented bunch. Whether the Lions can run the table remains to be seen. I hate gimme games that turn into a dog fight! Credit the IU team . . . they played up to the level of competition and hype associated with a PSU home game.

The Lions are 18 for 22 in their last 22 games, not bad, compared to the recent dark years they had in Big 10 campaigns. I keep remining myself of this fact. BTW . . . It's also a good day when Florida State loses, which they did . . . creeping JoePa a little closer back to "winningest coach" status every time we win and FSU registers a loss. The Lions are 5-3 and proved they can play tough against Top 5 ranked teams (and scare the bejeezus out of fans playing close games against lesser-ranked teams). I read one sport pundent who put PSU's schedule at the second most difficult in the nation . . . if that's close to correct in any way . . . IMHO, we ain't doin' so bad after all. So much for comfortable and confident . . . I see 2 or 3 more nail biters in the future.

Comfortable and confident

Today's PSU versus UI game should be an easy one to watch as well as a PSU victory. I think the Lions have 2 challenges left on the schedule (Wisconsin and Purdue) and with a bit more consistency on offense, they could finish the regular season 8-3. Capital One Bowl or Outback Bowl are within their reach. Go Lions! Expect Hunt to have a huge day.

99 Bottle of Beer # 31

Troeg's Oatmeal Stout - local microbrew (Harrisburg) - good stuff, gift from my son. I'm not a big microbrew fan but this stuff is good! 3 out of 5 rating.

99 Bottles of Beer #30

Spaten Octoberfest Ur-Marzen . . . sorry I wasted 8 bucks on a 6 pack of this stuff. Talk about a dud . . . no head, no foam, no character, no flavor, nothin' you'd expect from Munich-brewed beer. Drats!!! 1 point out of 5.

99 Bottles of Beer . . . #28 and #29

Back in Savage Maryland again on company business for the week . . . time to taste test some more beers.

Last night at the Ram's Head Tavern (Savage Mills Complex), I tried some Fordham's "Copperhead Ale", a local microbrew. I love a good ale . . . this one fell short of the mark on all counts. One with dinner, disappointing, may I have a Bass Ale for round 2 thank you very much . . . I'd give this brew an honest 2 points out of 5.

Tonight . . . it's work in the motel room time . . . let's try some 6 packs . . . first up . . . #29 . . . Grolsch Amber Ale. My first impression of this Dutch brew is favorable . . . a delicate, light, easy to drink ale . . . now on my second one with dinner . . . not bad! It'll take a few more of these to reach a final verdict . . . right now I'm leaning toward the notion that not bad equals not spectacular . . . it's enjoyable to drink (kind of like pounding down Coronas) but it lack distinct character. Finishes smooth which is a plus. I'll buy this again. For now, 4 out of 5 points for this easy to drink ale.

Played with heart . . .

Despite the loss of two quarterbacks, a crushing opponent defense, and a few missed opportunities, the Lions were in this game at the end of the 4th quarter . . . one play away. The Lions played with heart and proved they could give another Top 5 team respectable competition. Any loss is an emotional bummer, a Big 10 loss is a kick-in-the-crotch, but for a fan like myself this only makes the "wins" so much sweeter! There will be another show down with MU . . . eventually the dragon will be slain! Love ya Lions!

The Big One . . .

The smoker grill's been on since early morning (damn we had frost here last night, a nippy 28 degrees) and I just can't wait for kick off tonite! Should be a good game . . . and I'm sticking to the notion that the Lions pull out a victory despite all the factors that point otherwise.

Country-style smoked ribs and pulled pork sandwiches (made some awesome pulled pork yesterday) with plenty of Smithwicks ale on ice. I don't hink I've been this psyched about a Penn State game in quite a while. Go Lions!

USA Today sportswriter picks PSU

No. 5 Michigan at Penn State, 8 p.m.

The loss of Mario Manningham will cut down on the explosiveness of the Wolverines offense. Michael Hart will be asked to grind out a win against the stingy Nittany Lions, who surely will be motivated by last year's loss on the final play. Another close finish should be in the offing. Penn State 17, Michigan 16.

Hmmm . . . geez . . . everywhere else, the Lions are underdogs in this fight, point range of 3 to 7 points. You figure JoePa is worth +3 (Beano Cooke Factor) and the "White Out" has gotta be worth 3 more points. Keep Michigan officiating crews away and keep Hart under 100 yards rushing, by golly . . . it could work!

Perfect . . .

The Religion of Peace . . . my ass!

DUBAI (Reuters) - A man believed to be a top al Qaeda militant who escaped from a U.S. jail near Kabul was shown in a new videotape broadcast on Tuesday exhorting followers in Afghanistan to fight on until they attack the White House.

"Allah will not be pleased until we reach the rooftop of the White House," Abu Yahya al-Libi was shown telling fighters in the tape aired by the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television.
The channel said the tape was one-hour long, showing footage of Libi urging fighters to train hard and even to try to acquire nuclear technology.

"You have to get well prepared by starting with exercise, and then you have to learn how to use technology until you are capable of nuclear weapons," he said.

Nut with a nuke . . .

WHITE OUT 2006

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., October 8, 2006 ? Penn State will welcome unbeaten Michigan to Beaver Stadium on Saturday night for the first time in five years and Nittany Lion fans will have two opportunities to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the team and game.

The Blue & White Society and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics are teaming up to host the fifth annual "Rally in the Valley" football pep rally at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13 in Rec Hall. Doors will open at 8:00 p.m.
A student ?Whiteout? has been declared for the Michigan game and all fans are encouraged to wear white to the clash. ABC will televise the game to most of the nation at 8:00 p.m.

Head coach Joe Paterno, the Penn State football team, the Penn State cheerleaders, Lionettes dance team, the Blue Band, and the Nittany Lion mascot will all participate in Friday?s pep rally and help ready students, alumni and friends for the clash with No. 4 Michigan. T-shirts and prizes will be given away at the pep rally courtesy of the Student Bookstore and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Penn State faithful will be pumped up and primed at the "Rally in the Valley" in anticipation of the sold out clash in Beaver Stadium. The last two games between the Nittany Lions (4-2, 2-1) and Wolverines (6-0, 3-0) have been decided in overtime (2002) and on the last play of regulation (2005).

The Nittany Lions will bring an 11-game home winning streak into Saturday night?s clash and Penn State?s loyal and enthusiastic fans have made Beaver Stadium one of the nation?s toughest venues for the opposition. Last year, student ??Whiteouts? against Ohio State and Wisconsin created a raucous environment in Beaver Stadium and helped energize the Nittany Lions in the two big wins en route to the Big Ten Championship.

"This is one of the great student sections in college football," stated host Chris Fowler of ESPN College Gameday, which was on location for last year?s Ohio State game. "This (student) section is a major force."

Is this young team turning the corner?

Perhaps . . . I'm not sure if they've matured enough to beat Michigan next week but odds are good they will put up quite a fight! The "red zone" efficiency of our offense stinks (when only touchdowns are considered), but throw in field goals and the efficiency percentage gets much better. Bottom line, to beat Michigan the Lions will need to improve here most. Morelli, given some time in the pocket, has demonstrated he can lead the Lion passing game. We'll need strong O-line play next week to give the offense the pass-run threat balance needed against a team like Michigan. No word yet on Hunt's injury this weekend . . . he's vital to the Lions, let's hope he's 100% by game day. The super sophmore receiver corps looked great against Minnesota and they will give the Michigan secondary more than a scare or two!

The Lion "D" has given up a mere 6 touchdowns in the past 4 games . . . that's huge. The secondary got burned this weekend a few times but seemed to knock away "big play" balls when it counted most. Less than excellent - but good enough to keep Michigan receivers honest. The D line and linebacker play has been strong all season and I predict this outfit will be responsible for a positive game changing play or 2 next weekend.

Expecting "White Out 2006" to be a factor in this "revenge game" of the decade. You just know the sports writers are going to exploit this aspect of the contest. I have this gut feeling that it'll be another close game with no clock controversy this year folks! I expect the writers and odds makers to make the Lions a 14+ point underdog . . . so soon they forget what the Lions did against Ohio State for 3 1/2 quarters . . . gotta say it, if we play that well again, we win!

A win in OT at the dome . . .

Well . . . I predicted a nail biter and got it . . . 28-27 in OT. Hunt had a great game, Morelli and the super-sophomore receiver corps played well, and while the "D" gave up 27 points they kept the Lions playing our kind of game.

Season Defining Game . . .

If you compare the stats for the Lions and the Gophers they numbers are almost identical on both sides of the ball. Odds makers make Minnesota a 3 point underdog but many sports writers suggest the Gophers will win this one. One thing for sure, this game, like last year's PSU victory over Northwestern, will define Penn State's season - one way or the other.

I'll go out on the limb and predict a close game - I hate those! Hunt needs a perfect game, Morelli needs a mistake-free game, and the Lion "D" should carry them through to win. Minnesota is no Ohio State and their run defense, big play defense, and special tem play is suspect. Expect either a low scoring - last minute field goal win OR a shoot out . . . either way, ice up the beer and break out the Johnsonville brats . . . there's a rumble in the dome-a-comin'.

Go Lions!!!

Butler and Hunt Shine!

-Sophomore WR Deon Butler?s 216 receiving yards broke the school record for single-game receiving yards. The old record for receiving yards in one game was 212 yards by O.J. McDuffie against Boston College in 1992. Butler is only the third player at Penn State to have more than 200 yards in a game. In addition to McDuffie, Bobby Engram had two 200-yard receiving games?203 yards at Purdue in 1995 and 200 yards vs. Rutgers in 1994. The old record for receiving yards by a sophomore was 165 yards by Engram vs. Minnesota in 1993.

-Butler had a career-high 11 receptions today. He is the first Penn State player to have at least 11 receptions in a game since Freddie Scott had a Penn State school record 13 receptions against Rutgers in 1995. Butler had 8 catches for 112 yards this season entering today?s game.

-Butler had three receptions of 40 or more yards today (40, 55, 49), which gives him four such catches this season and nine for his career.

-Butler?s 55-yard reception in the first quarter was the longest of his career. His previous long reception was a 54-yard grab against Central Michigan last season. The catch was Butler?s third of the game to that point, and put him over 100 yards receiving in the first quarter (112 yards in the first stanza).

-TB Tony Hunt had 137 yards rushing today, moving him past Lenny Moore into 11th place in the Penn State career rushing annals. Hunt now has 2,459 yards for his career, and trails Eric McCoo (2,518 yards) by 59 yards for 10th place.

-Tony Hunt recorded his third-straight 100-yard rushing game today and the 10th of his career, which ties him for ninth place on the career 100-yard games list with Charlie Pittman. In the last three games, Hunt has 415 yards rushing on 70 carries.

- Tony Hunt is the first Nittany Lion with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games since Larry Johnson had four straight in 2002 (Illinois, Virginia, Indiana, Michigan State).

-Hunt had a career-high 28 carries, the most by a Penn State player since Larry Johnson had 28 carries at Indiana in 2002.