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Game Thread Game Four: #1 Ohio State 28, #24 Penn State 6 (9/23/06)

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After last years game, I think it's a safe bet that Joe Pa and the rest of the PSU team will not be received very well in the Horseshoe, much like Iowa in 2005. However, I think that after the post-season awards last year when Pozluszny beat Hawk for the best defensive player, I'm pretty sure it's a safe bet that he will be the most-maligned PSU player on the field, by far. I can't wait to see our offense keep running it straight down their throats after they've lost so much of their defensive line, and seeing Pozluszny being blocked by anyone and everyone.
 
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<center>QUARTERBACK SAVANT (7.20.06)<o =""></o></center> Hollywood Henderson got it right. Terry Bradshaw WAS so dumb that he couldn’t spell “cat” if you spotted him the C and the A.<o =""></o>
But Bradshaw was a quarterback savant. Maybe the only book Bradshaw ever perused was the Steelers playbook, but he had that particular tome nailed. When Bradshaw lined up behind center, his extraordinary gridiron instincts enabled him to rise to heights experienced by only a select handful.
Was Bradshaw one of a kind?<o =""></o>
<st1 =""><st1 ="">Penn</st1>l </st1><st1 =""><st1 ="">State</st1>l</st1>had better hope not.<o =""></o>
When he reneged on Pitt to go to<st1 =""><st1 ="">Happy</st1> <st1 ="">Valley</st1></st1>, Morelli called his new school “the University of Penn State.” He’s not real bright. Morelli’s arm is NFL-caliber. It has been since his days at <st1 =""><st1 ="">Penn Hills</st1> <st1 ="">High School</st1></st1>. But again, he’s not real bright.<o =""></o>
Morelli reportedly had a difficult time understanding the plays in high school. He reportedly has had a tougher time figuring out the Nittany Lion playbook.<o =""></o>
But now, with <st1 =""><st1 ="">Penn</st1> <st1 ="">State</st1></st1> lacking depth at QB, Morelli is locked in at the starting job. He has a ton to work with, including a host of great wide receivers led by Derrick Williams. Morelli could fire a football through a car wash without it getting wet.<o =""></o>
But is Morelli vocal enough to assume the leadership role a quarterback must? Is Morelli smart enough to make decisions on the fly the way a QB has to?<o =""></o>
Morelli’s intelligence (or lack thereof) is the elephant in <st1 =""><st1 ="">Penn</st1> <st1 ="">State</st1></st1>’s locker room. No one wants to talk about it, but it is undeniably a potential negative factor. It’s unpleasant to question the mental capabilities of a 21-year-old, but this is big-time college football, and Morelli’s life takes on a very much merciless tint as of Sept. 2, when the Nittany Lions open their season at home against <st1 =""><st1:city w:st="on">Akron</st1:city></st1>
Morelli is more qualified for his job than Jay Paterno is for his. But Paterno,<st1 =""><st1 =""> Penn</st1><st1 =""> State'</st1></st1>s quarterbacks coach, is charged with Morelli’s development. Uh-oh.<o =""></o>
Morelli’s high school stats were solid but not overwhelming. They definitely didn’t live up to his arm’s capabilities. He never got <st1 ="">Penn Hills</st1>to a WPIAL championship game.<o =""></o>
Morelli’s high school legacy is that of workout warrior. Amazing in camps, where sheer arm strength counts most. But in games, where thinking quick means just as much as raw talent, Morelli was average most nights.
That’s probably how it will turn out at <st1 =""><st1 ="">Penn </st1><st1 ="">State</st1></st1>, too. A lot of average games, and a career that falls short of the hype.




 
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When do you generally find out what times the games start? I'm trying to schedule visits and it would really help to know whether this game will be a night game or not, so I can catch it.
 
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usatoday

Penn State's Rubin breaks collar bone and will miss rest of preseason

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State sophomore Mark Rubin broke his right collarbone and will likely miss the rest of preseason camp.

Rubin was injured while diving for a ball in practice on Monday, the first day of drills. He will not need surgery and is expected to miss about four weeks, a team spokesman said Thursday.

Penn State opens its season Sept. 2 against Akron.

The 6-foot-3 Rubin is attempting to return from a dislocated right ankle sustained in preseason practice last year, which forced him to miss the entire 2005 campaign. He is being considered for a move to defensive back this season after catching 16 balls for 187 yards as a receiver his freshman season two years ago.

The 2006 Nittany Lions have depth at wideout, but lost all four members of last year's starting secondary.
 
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Nittany Lions need big year from Snow

[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]August 15, 2006[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]BY VAUGHN MCCLURE Staff Reporter <!-- Empty line is needed -->[/FONT]
<!--publication CST -->[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] <!--pub_section SPT page 91 last modified 8/14/06 6:42 PM-->[/FONT]
<!--deck Fullback's healthy but faces suspension for first two games -->
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Penn State fullback BranDon Snow still can't believe his 79-year-old coach, Joe Paterno, does push-ups and stretching exercises with the team.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]''He's amazing,'' Snow said, ''and I have a chance to finish my college career with him as my coach.''[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Paterno didn't exactly return the praise when Penn State held its media day this past Saturday. In fact, the coach said his starting fullback is suspended for the first two games for reasons Paterno would rather not discuss.[/FONT]


[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]NITTANY LIONS AT A GLANCE[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Site: State College, Pa.
Coach: Joe Paterno (354-177-3, 41st season).
2005 record: 11-1, 7-1 Big Ten (tied for first).[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]REASONS FOR OPTIMISM
Just look at last year's record -- only one loss, by two points against Michigan. The Nittany Lions are indeed back after winning just seven games in 2003 and '04 combined.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]AREAS OF CONCERN
Penn State relied on Robinson a lot last season. With Anthony Morelli (below) taking over at quarterback, the Nittany Lions don't have a playmaker behind center. Maybe Morelli's not the answer.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]KEY LOSSES
QB Michael Robinson, WR Ethan Kilmer, G Charles Rush, DE Tamba Hali, S Chris Harrell.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]PLAYER ON THE SPOT
LB Dan Connor. He came to Penn State as a highly touted recruit then almost lost his spot on the team for making crank phone calls. He's more mature now and playing alongside All-American Paul Posluszny.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]KEY GAME
Sept. 9 at Notre Dame. The two powerhouses haven't met since 1992, and the Nittany Lions would like nothing more than to ruin ND's home opener and shake up the BCS standings early.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]SEASON WILL BE A SUCCESS IF ...
Penn State makes it to a BCS bowl. Winning the Big Ten might be unrealistic with Ohio State so stacked, but the Nittany Lions could establish themselves as the conference's second-best team.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]SEASON WILL BE A FAILURE IF ...
The Nittany Lions fail to finish among the top three in the league. Besides Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan, the league isn't that strong.[/FONT]


[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]

[/FONT]


[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Barring any change of heart from Paterno, Snow won't play against Akron or Notre Dame -- Penn State's first two games.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]When asked during a phone interview about his setbacks heading into the season, Snow danced around the disciplinary issue, opting only to discuss his return from injury.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]''I'm not worried about it anymore,'' Snow said of the high left ankle sprain he suffered in the Orange Bowl. ''I'm 100 percent.''[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Snow -- a bruising blocker and one of the best in the nation at his position -- was an integral part of Penn State's 11-1 team last season. But he was a non-factor in the Orange Bowl.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Snow remembered the play as if it happened yesterday: Florida State defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley grabbed Snow's left foot early in the second half and didn't let go. Then the rest of the defense piled up on Snow.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]It was Snow's only carry of the game, and the end result was standing on the sideline with crutches.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]''I was just laying there in an awkward position,'' he said. ''I just remember how bruised up my left foot was.''[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Snow was able to practice this spring and appears healthy. Penn State needs him to be.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Nittany Lions return a solid nucleus, but gone is do-everything quarterback Michael Robinson. He could improvise when the team needed it most, something Penn State is unlikely see from new starter Anthony Morelli.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]''He'll be sorely missed,'' Snow said of Robinson. ''I mean running, passing, just everything he did. We'll have to make up for it.''[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Snow has confidence in Morelli, who attempted only 20 passes last season. And Snow will plow holes for Tony Hunt, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2005.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]''I think we have one of the better backfields in America,'' Snow said. ''I mean, we pretty much have everything: speed, power. We have the tools to get it done.''[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Plus, the Nittany Lions have a talented young receiver in Derrick Williams, and a veteran standout lineman in Levi Brown. Not to mention the Nittany Lions have one of the best linebackers around in All-American Paul Posluszny.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Now, if guys just could keep out of Paterno's doghouse. The coach voiced his displeasure with Hunt's academic progress during Big Ten media day. Then came Snow's situation.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If Snow can stay out of trouble -- and stay injury-free -- his role in the Penn State offense could increase. He earned the starting role last year as a junior after breaking his foot in 2004. He played in every game last season, carrying the ball 10 times and recording three rushing touchdowns.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Snow's work as a blocker went unnoticed, but he doesn't care.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]''I understand my role,'' he said. ''I understand that I'm not counted on to carry the ball. Plus, we were winning. That's all that really matters.''[/FONT]
 
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Is anyone actually worried about this game? Unless they field a team I don't see that beats Notre Dame and comes in with monster momentum, I'm more concerned with the trip to 7-and-5-owa the following week.
 
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Brown provides experience on Penn State O-line

<!-- end pagetitle --> <!-- begin bylinebox --> <!-- firstName = Ivan --> <!-- lastName = Maisel -->

By Ivan Maisel
ESPN.com
Archive
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<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<!-- begin text11 div --><!-- begin leftcol --> <!-- template inline --> It is time to refute a rumor, time to put out any fire that might start on the message boards. Before you know it, needless NCAA investigations might begin. Innocent lives might be affected. Feelings might be hurt. Nip it in the bud, as former NCAA president Barney Fife said.


The truth is that Penn State left offensive tackle Levi Brown is a fifth-year senior. Appearances to the contrary, he did not start on Joe Paterno's first Nittany Lions team in 1966. Brown did not play on the same line as two-time All-American Keith Dorney. He did not open holes for Curt Warner. He never protected Kerry Collins in Penn State's undefeated, unrewarded 1994 season.
The Penn State media guide lists Brown's birthday as March 16, 1984. His picture indicates his age of 22 is about as accurate as any that come out of Hollywood. The 6-foot-5, 328-pound frame doesn't make him look like a growing boy, either. Brown's hairline has started to creep northward. His forehead wrinkles make him look closer to 30 than 20.
"He might be," linebacker and teammate Paul Posluszny said, laughing. "He's a grown man. Let's put it that way."
Brown, who earned his degree in December 1995 -- no, wait, 2005 -- has heard it all before. Any question regarding his age is, to coin a phrase, old hat.
"Pretty much all through high school, my nickname was 'Uncle,'" Brown said. "'Uncle Levi,' something like that. People called me Granddaddy. People say I have an old feel about me. I tend to listen to oldies-type music, music that my parents would listen to, [like] Luther Vandross. I guess I can see where people get that idea about me. It's just who I am."
There are a couple of times when it comes in handy. For one thing, Brown probably hasn't been carded since he was 12. For another, in a season when the Nittany Lions must rebuild an offensive line depleted by graduation if they are to have any chance of repeating as Big Ten Conference champions, Brown's presence will be as important as his talent, which is considerable.
"He's tough to go against," Posluszny said. "He's so big. He got long arms. He's so strong. He's a good athlete, too. He came here as a defensive lineman, so you know he can run a little bit."



A former defensive lineman, Levi Brown was hesitant to make the switch to offense.


Keep in mind what defensive players generally think of offensive linemen, and Posluszny's words -- "He's a good athlete, too. He came here as a defensive lineman&" -- take on greater weight. Brown had the same concerns as a young tackle when, in the spring practice of his freshman year, the offensive coaches asked him to move. The mental adjustment, Brown said, took a year.
"I personally like to hit people," Brown said. "My preconception about offense was you couldn't really go out and hit a person.
"Everything was so tamed down, more controlled, whatever. After being over there and seeing you can go and just take off and fire into a guy -- you just have to be leveraged and have your hands inside [or get called for holding], I started to enjoy it. I realized I could just try to dominate a guy, flatten a guy. The coaches would just always tell me, 'You have the potential. You just have to believe it. You just have to believe you can be the best at your position. Once you do, things will take off for you.'"
Brown made All-Big Ten last year, and he will be watched closely by NFL scouts all season long. But the old soul in him is necessary this season because he is the only returning starter on the offensive line.
"We've got to get some offensive linemen who grow up in a hurry," Paterno said. "They have a lot of ability, but none of them have played. We've got some guys who are going to play some tough football teams that have never gotten punch-in-the-nose tough yet."
The lack of experience is the biggest reason that Penn State is being picked closer to the middle of the Big Ten pack than to repeat at the top. The offensive line, the unit most in need of chemistry, will depend on Brown's leadership.
"It doesn't take long for chemistry to form as long as you're hanging out with the guys when it's not football time," Brown said. "If you just try to find out what kind of person they are on the football field, it's harder and takes a little bit more time before you really trust this guy, knowing that he'll have your back and help you when you miss a block."
Brown said the offensive linemen performed the traditional bonding rituals -- PlayStation, Xbox -- but they also held bowling nights and disappeared into the woods around campus to play paintball.
"Paintball was the greatest time I've had in a long time," Brown said. "I'm definitely going to do it again. People were saying it was supposed to hurt, that paintballs would break your skin. But from the range people were shooting, hiding behind trees, it wasn't like they were getting a direct hit on you. It felt like somebody was pushing you. It didn't really hurt. More like a pinch than it was sudden pain."
Still, you know how it is when you get old. Everything hurts.
 
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8/23

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="290"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="1" width="100%"> New QB Morelli now in the hot seat at Penn State </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="smtext2" align="left" valign="top" width="50%">
Associated Press</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <body.content> <block></block></body.content>
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- There will be a new seating arrangement aboard the rickety school bus that takes the Penn State Nittany Lions to Beaver Stadium.
Now that he`s the starting quarterback, Anthony Morelli will get to ride in the front row, across the aisle from coach Joe Paterno as part of a team tradition.
And therein lies one of the main questions heading into this season for No. 19 Penn State: Just how good will the highly touted Morelli be now that he`s in the hot seat?
``I think he will be all right,`` said Paterno, entering his 41st season leading the Nittany Lions. ``The dumb head coach didn`t have him throw the ball enough the last two years.``
Canbet.com has Penn State listed at +600 to win the Big Ten Conference this season.
With good reason though, at least in 2005: Michael Robinson excelled as the starter, guiding a revved-up offense that helped revive Happy Valley. Penn State finished 11-1, captured the Big Ten title and won the Orange Bowl. Paterno, 79, was named coach of the year.
Most of his other skill-position players are back, including hard-nosed 1,000-yard rusher Tony Hunt, and talented but brittle backup Austin Scott. So is the receiving corps, led by speedy sophomores Derrick Williams and Deon Butler and the sure-handed Jordan Norwood.
Unlike his predecessor, Morelli isn`t as keen on moving outside the pocket, though he`s got a strong arm.
``With Michael Robinson, it was a little different ballgame, and it will be a little different ballgame with Anthony,`` Paterno said.
Still, there aren`t hints of many changes to Penn State`s scheme, which opened up last year thanks in part to the emergence of the fresh-faced receiving corps.
As always, offensive line play will be crucial. The Nittany Lions must replace four starters - 6-foot-7 left tackle Levi Brown returns - to keep Morelli upright in the pocket and open holes for the running game.
``Everybody is doubting us,`` said Brown, a team captain. ``We have to go out and prove everybody wrong.``
Paterno said the unit is less experienced but might be more athletic than last year`s starting five.
``Obviously, it is going to be a problem until they get in the ballgame and somebody knocks them around a little bit and they can recover from some things,`` the coach said.
With his impressive resume of awards, fellow captain and All-American linebacker Paul Posluszny might not seem to have many weaknesses. He`s even been named Big Ten preseason defensive player of the year.
But ``Pos`` or ``Puz,`` as he`s called by teammates, is returning from a serious right knee injury suffered in the Orange Bowl. He didn`t need surgery, and Paterno said Posluszny could have practiced in the spring, though he held him out of full contact as a precaution.
``I`m 100 percent,`` Posluszny said several days after fall practice started.
Posluszny is so good, former Penn State and Steelers linebacking great Jack Ham has called him the best linebacker in school history.
Dan Connor, Tim Shaw and Posluszny give Penn State one of the best linebacking trios in the country, and there is talented depth behind them.
While that unit should be a strength, the defense will have seven other new starters. Only Jay Alford returns from last year`s starting defensive line, which featured athletic end Tamba Hali.
Tackle Ed Johnson has experience, but the senior didn`t play last year because of an off-the-field issue. Josh Gaines and Jim Shaw have some time as reserves, though last season`s workhorse line didn`t need many breathers.
``We`re definitely going to keep them free,`` Alford said. ``We`re going to keep Puz running as free as he was last year.``
There`s a whole new quartet starting in the secondary, and coupled with the new-look line, pass defense could be an issue early on.
Stiff early road tests await with games against Notre Dame (Sept. 9) and Ohio State (Sept. 23). Win at least one of those games and the Lions` bowl prospects improve dramatically.
Seniors Donnie Johnson and Nolan McCready should take over at the safety spots, with sophomore Tony Davis the probable starter at one cornerback position.
The other side will be manned by sophomore Justin King, last season`s standout two-way freshman who`s sticking with defense this year. While King`s speed helped the offense, he was recruited by defensive coordinator Tom Bradley to play cornerback.
King and Williams factor into a potentially dangerous return game on a special-teams unit that could improve. Jeremy Kapinos is a fine punter, and kicker Kevin Kelly returns after a promising freshman year.

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Payback time

OSU students are planning a redout for the game. They are planning on selling shirs to students, but with the lack of unity amongst OSU student sections, they need our help. Spread the word:


WEAR SCARLET ON 9/23!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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