[sandgk]

Life on the Other Side of the Lion.

If you ever wanted to see and hear rending of cloth and gnashing of teeth just check out this fellows piece.

"White Out Can't Cover This Mistake"

I don't even know where to begin. There is so much rubble here. So much dust. So little pride. I still find myself in shock--and surprise--but when you look back with that hindsight that is always 20/20, you have to admit that deep down, you knew this would or could happen.
....

But wait, there's more ..

Do we have the same talent level as the Ohio State's and THEM's of the college football world?

I believe THEM is how Nitts spell TSUN.

Our "shut down" corner has been shut down. Our linebackers are tackling Buckeye running backs in the secondary--from behind.

This should be remembered when everyone does the tackle count for Connor and Lee.

Why can Ohio State graduate a Heisman winner and plug in an inexperienced player (a senior with junior eligibility) and still continue to win and be ranked number one? Or to put it another way, why can't we? Look at the two programs--the facilities, fan base and tradition are as equal in the modern era as I can see. Yet, we can't out recruit or out coach them. I may be answering my own questions here.

Yeah - truth hurts - big time.

The actual game itself was a microcosm of the entire season. Penn State could maintain no consistency on offense. Our coaching staff exhibited no confidence and called for a punt on 4th and 2. We could not convert an interception opportunity into points. The defensive weaknesses were heightened by the level of play. Justin King continues to struggle in coverage. The line could not stop running backs like Hart or either Wells. Morelli continues to make dumb plays, and was lucky his fumble was recovered. He was not so fortunate on his pick six later in the game. Who was he throwing to? If the receiver ran the wrong route, why was the defender not following the receiver? If he was following Morelli's eyes, just what was he looking at? Tressel? He has now thrown only three touchdowns against Ohio State--and all three were INTs and TDs for Ohio State.

The very definition of a Penn State QB these days - gifting points to the opposition.

I make no pretense here--I was not impressed with the Buckeyes before this game and I didn't consider them to be a top ranked team. But they played well, efficiently, and they are well-coached. They may not be the best team in the country, and may lose their bowl game to an SEC team such as LSU, but they are the best team we faced all season.

I was so enjoying the cloth being rended and the sound of Nitt teeth gnashing that this nearly slipped by. More dualistic confusion from the Nitt faithful, in this case a very long time season ticket holder. If you can recognize that we are the best team you have played this season, then simply admit that we are the best you will play against all season - including the bowl, whichever state that may be held within.
Typical PSU fan, sadly, in that paragraph, not even willing to accept the gift that is defeat at the hands of the best team in the nation thus far.

n fact, this is the first game I thought we deserved to lose and were clearly over-matched.

See, delusional hope springs eternal.

BY THE NUMBERS:
OSU outgained us 453 yards to 263. They gained 200 yards on 48 rushes. We actually had more yards per rush than they did, but it mattered not a bit (6.0 per rush vs. 4.2.)
OSU had 24 first downs to Penn State's 14, and as I said above, they never needed to punt.

INTANGIBLES:
A crowd of 110,134 made this the second largest Beaver Stadium crowd behind the Nebraska game of 2002. At least we won that one.
We won the coin toss and deferred. Moral victory, Woo hoo!
The drum major stuck both flips. PJ had trouble holding onto the fire batons. Is that recruiting? Coaching?
Joe falls another behind Bobby as F defeated Duke. 369 to 371 if you are counting.
THE BIG (TEN) PICTURE:
Who cares? We're not in it anyway.
SHEDDING TEARS:
I have none left. There is only bitterness and resentment.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Purdue. Whatever.