Big Game this weekend Penn State vs. Idiana. Both ball clubs are doing better then expected this should a battle. Both teams love throwing the ball so it should be a high scoring game with Penn State winning because of our great defense.

Movie About JoePa

       

A movie based on the life of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is already in the early stages of production. The movie will be based on Sports Illustrated author Joe Posnanski's book Paterno. Al Pachino is slated to play Joepa in the movie. As with most PSU fans I am excited to see this movie especially to see in what light they paint our former beloved coach.

Zach Zwinak Last in the Alphabet first in our Hearts

Before the season when sanctions were dropped and Silas Redd got on a plane for the west coast many thought we might struggle for rushing yards this season. When starting day backs Derek Day and Bill Belton went down with injury things looked really bleak. Enter Zach Zwinak. A crafty runner who hits holes and follows his blocks. He's also quicker than people think. He has been carrying the load for Penn State recording 686 rushing yards and 4 TDs this season.

Kyle Carter's Season Ended

Bad new for one of Penn State's most promising prospect's when we heard that Tight End Kyle Carter will miss the rest of the season with an injury to his right wrist. Carter ranks second on the team in receptions and receiving yards.Most importantly he served as a safety blanket for Quarter Back Matt McGloin.

Game Versus Indiana

This weekends game versus Indiana will feature two very similar squads. Both Penn State and Indiana rely heavily on their passing games and both use their no huddles often. I think it will be a close game but the real separator will be the Nittany Lion's defense. Indiana's defense is nowhere near the quality of Penn State's and in the end I think Mauti and the front seven will be too much for the Hoosiers. Penn State 34 Indiana 24

-OneTeam

New Uniforms

With the new addition of names on the back of player's jerseys this year it can only lead one to wonder when will the Lions get New Uniforms. Some concepts have been seen on the internet. Here is one that I liked.

Please Don't Go

I read in the CDT, State College's local newspaper, this morning that there are rumors that Bill O'Brien may be Heading to the NFL. This to me is devistating news. If you have been reading earlier posts you know I am a huge O'Brien fan and don't know what I would do if he bolted after one year. The way he has kept this team together and competitive in such hard times has been a real tribute to his ability as a coach and his success with recruiting has given Penn State fans hope for the future. All I have to say is Bill PLEASE DON'T GO.

-OneTeam

In a better place?

Recently Penn State President Rodney Erickson was quoted as saying "Are we a better university? Yes, I think we are in terms of everything that we've accomplished and put into place," now for the average fan you might be thinking he's crazy but I'm here to tell you he is right. Let me say this first, I love JoePa and everything he did for this university. But in his advanced years his offense had become old and stagnant. He didn't have the energy to hit the recruiting trail as hard as other top-flight coaches. Not to mention we had to deal with his son ruining every decent QB prospect that committed. With the arrival of Bill O'Brien came a new way of doing things. So far he has blown away everyone's expectation on what he would be able to do with recruiting(especially with sanctions.) He has transformed an offense that never failed to frustrate everyone watching to an offense that is one of the more entertaining in the big ten. Most importantly he brought hope of coming back to dominance. So if all your going to look at is how we cant play bowl games or how we lost scholarships then obviously we are in a bad place. What you have to focus on is how we are making moves for the future and maybe in 5 or 6 years a shot at a National Title??

See what Bleacher report thinks: Penn State President is Right
 

COY

There are a lot of candidates this year for Coach of the Year. Nick Saban has his Alabama team back at number one like he seems to every year. Bill Snyder might be the leader in the clubhouse by taking Kansas State from obscurity to number two and controlling their own fate for the national title. Throw in the Kelley's (Brian of Notre Dame and Chip of Oregon) and you've got a crowd. Although their records might be unblemished and they look like the best teams that doesn't necessarily mean their coach is doing the best job. Saban has the most talent in the country hands down, Snyder has the leading Heisman candidate in Collin Klein, Chip Kelly keeps getting jumped in the polls, and if I had to put money on it Notre Dame will stumble down the stretch. For me the coach that has done the best job this year is Bill O'Brien. Now I know most people reading this are going to say I'm a homer but it's true. No other coach in NCAA history has had to deal with what O'Brien has handled. Not to mention the way he has handled it. He took a team decimated by transfers and swirling in bad publicity and actually made them competitive. If Penn State didn't have their sanctions (and Ohio State still did) the Nittany Lions would be in the driver's seat in the Leader's division. He's taken Matt McGloin, a walk-on who couldn't hold the starting job, and made him a legit late round NFL prospect. He's taken an offense that made this fan pull his hair out every week to something that is exciting and fun to watch. Most importantly he has given an otherwise distraught town and given them hope. Most said Penn State wouldn't be back for 10 years if ever. With the leadership of O'Brien we didn't even skip a beat.

-OneTeam

Linebacker U

Penn State is affectionately known by its fans as Linebacker U, and for good reason. The NFL is full of PSU linebackers. Navarro Bowman, Paul Puzluzny, and Sean Lee are all star contributors on their perspective defenses. They're just the recent history Penn State linebackers have been making plays on the next level for decades. Good news is that doesn't look like it's going to change under coach O'Brien. Even though he didn't recruit Mike Mauti and Gerald Hodges, he has fostered them to be one of the most ferocious LB duos in the country. Both have been making plays all year and were on the shortlist for multiple awards. Both seem to project well to the NFL. The greatest thing about these two is that they have continued a tradition of the linebackers being the leaders of the defense. Mauti has been very vocal during this whole ordeal. I'm just glad to see that not everything is going to change.

-OneTeam

Round 6 Pick 26... Matt McGloin

Yes i said it, Matt McGloin is going to get drafted. To anyone that hasn't seen any football this season thinks I'm crazy. Last year Matt McGloin wasn't good enough to think about the CFL let alone the NFL. The transformation he has undergone with the tutelage of coach O'Brien has been almost unbelievable.  Last year he could barely beat out the deadbeat that I like to call Rob Boldin. He was a gunslinger without the gun, trying to make plays that his arm and his receivers had no chance to make. Always trying to make a play when he should've taken a sack. This year he's a completely different player. His decision making is great, his accuracy is drastically improved, and his swagger is just what this team needs. He is a leader on a team desperate for one. Not to mention he has had a lot more responsibility and he has responded.  Being asked to throw 30 to 40 times a game and orchestrating an NFL offense have become every week things for the Nittany Lions QB. He has faced every challenge put to him and exceeded even the highest expectations. The scary thing is he's getting better every week. If he can continue this rapid improvement for the rest of the year expect to start seeing his name on later rounds of people draft boards.

-OneTeam

Hello Recruiting

As a life long PSU fan my only problem with the last regime is that towards the end they didn't hit the recruiting trail as hard as they could've. The best Pennsylvania prospects were going to other schools and the good recruits we did get never seemed to pan out. The last star recruiting class I can think of was '04. Top flight prospect like Derron Williams and Justin King brought promise onto campus with them. Now even though that class was extremely successful it was because of the lower ranked prospects that developed into stars (ex. Deon Butler, Paul Puzluzny) We haven't been able to string together top recruiting classes so are talent base hasn't been the level that it once was. Out of all the great things O'Brien has done at Penn State, recruiting to me has been the most impressive. Being able to keep top flight recruits like Christan Hackenberg(QB) and Adam Breneman(TE) has been a real win for the new coach. In times like these where scholarships are at a premium these are the kind of recruits we need to keep us relevant. It amazes me that after all the turmoil surrounding the program Bill O'Brien still has the Nittany Lions lined up for a top 25 recruiting class. Now we just have to hope they don't change their mind.

-OneTeam

Comin Back Strong

All I heard leading up to this year was doom & gloom for Penn State Football. Analysts said that the sanctions levied against us would keep our program in the Big Ten's basement for the next ten years. I even heard some go as far to say it was worse than the "Death Penalty" that SMU had received which completely shut down football operation. Many suggested it was going to be a long hard road back to prominence, and even questioned whether we would ever get back to that level again. I'm am here to say HAHA you were wrong. Not only have the lions not missed a beat after their 4 year bowl ban and mass transfer of players... they've gotten better. This year's Nittany Lions team came out on a mission. They play a more exciting brand of football. Their offense is no longer excruciatingly painful to watch and the defense looks like the same quality we have grown to accept. Bill O'Brien has infused this community with hope and excitement after a long dark year in Happy Valley. That along with how well he has been able to continue recruiting gives every Penn State fan the optimism they have been desperately looking for.

-OneTeam 

Not born in PA....

So I have only been in PA for 12 years. State College for 10 years. My wife was born and raised here. History out of the way, I see many angles to the recent situation here at PSU. Personally I have never truly appreciated the Penn State football program. The way the situation was handled however is not unlike anyother school in the nation; they all have this vail of secrecy around protecting their public image. Having formed strong ties with this community I believe that we will over come and create a stronger team, program and COMMUNITY. At this point it seems to have divided us between those that are strong supporters of the program versus those that want to see it shut down. Give it time and we will be stronger for it!

Down year for the B1G Ten

At the halfway point in the season I think it's easy to say that this is a down year for the big ten. They only have one team in the top ten, Ohio State, who can't even play in the championship game because of sanctions. Not a single big ten team was represented in the first release of the BCS rankings. This non-conference season was riddled with embarrassing loses and underachievement. Highlighted by the thrashing put on then eighth ranked Michigan. The two best teams in the leaders division Ohio State and Penn State aren't able to participate in post-season play. The possibility of Purdue playing in the B1G Ten championship is looking more and more likely. If I was the big ten champ I wouldn't even bother showing up to the rose bowl because I have a feeling it's gonna be ugly


Check out what the Collegian says: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2012/10/01/big_ten_continues_downward_trend.aspx

On a Roll

After an 0-2 start to the season. Penn State has come back with a vengeance in their last three games. In three games against Navy, Temple and now Big Ten opponent Illinois the Nittany Lions have outscored their opponents by a score of 93-27 and have looked good doing it. The offense looks night and day different from last year. As I've said before on this blog Matt McGloin is playing all-Big Ten good and skill players like Allen Robinson, Kyle Carter, and Bill Belton have made this offense more explosive than it was a year ago. Not to mention the defense hasn't lost a step. Mike Mauti is playing lights out and is the true leader of this defense. Put all the pieces together and you have a very formidable team on the feild. This confidence is only going to make them better. As they continue to grow in coach Bill O'Brien's system they will become more and more a team others have to watch out for. Who knows by the end of the season they could be the best team in the Big Ten... just sayin'. 

No need to be ashamed

I recently was talking to one of my cousins who has been a Penn State Fan her entire life (a whole 17 years) and what she said shocked me. She said she hasn't worn a single item of Penn State apparel all year. Not a t-shirt, sweater, pair of shorts, or headband. She even took her bumper sticker off her car.I asked her why she did such a ridiculous thing and turned her back on a University that has provided her with so many joyful moments. Her answer was short and to the point "I'm ashamed". This really made me think, why should she have to be ashamed for the actions of a sick man. Why should she feel she needs to hide her fanship and have to hide her Penn State Pride. I think this is a feeling that many PSU fans have felt over the past year. Embarassed to route for a team in the midst of scandal. It's almost like they think if they show support to a group of innocent young men then they are endorsing the actions of one guilty old pervert. This is in no way true. The truth is there is no shame in rooting for a team that had nothing to do with those despicable crimes. You should feel the same amount of pride that you felt before the veil was pulled on the monster that was Jerry Sandusky. Personally I still dawn all my PSU apparel and don't feel anything but pride when doing it. Sports are a form of entertainment and can be a nice escape from this cruel harsh world and we can't let the actions of one man ruin that too.

-OneTeam

Sidenote- Do not misconstrue this as me not having compassion for the victims. It makes me sick thinking of how that man preyed on underprivileged boys and he used his community connections to do it. I pray for them and hope that they are able to live full and happy lives.  

McGloin All-BigTen?

I never thought I'd be asking myself this question but is Matt McGloin the best QB in the Big Ten? He doesn't put up the impressive rushing yards that the likes of Denard Robinson or Taylor Martinez do but that's not what quarterbacking is about. Not a single QB has the accuracy he posses. He is able to run a pro style offense and consistently move the ball through the air. He puts the ball right where it needs to be and it looks good getting there. He also has the best pocket presence. He sticks in the pocket and delivers darts and he has the ability to know when the pocket is collapsing around him. He can roll out and still keep his accuracy high while on the move. So far this season he has been very impressive in his improvement. Every game he shows you a new weapon in his arsenal. He is quickly becoming the best pocket passer in the B1G Ten. If he continues his assent up the ranks by the end of the season you'll be looking at the 1st Team All-Big Ten quarterback and who knows possibly an NFL prospect

Better watch out

The day that the unprecedented sanctions were placed on Penn State I heard a lot of sports anchors say it was worse than a death penalty. Even more said Penn State football wouldn't be relevant for at least ten years if ever. I'm hear to tell those people they are dead wrong. I'm not saying the sanctions aren't a big road block to the special things this team and staff can do, but that's all they are. They in no way make us a non competitive cupcake that teams can cruise over for an easy win. We will still field teams that will battle for division crowns. We will still score points, play great defense, put players in the NFL, and we will still win. Bill O'Brien has big plans and he's not letting anything slow him down. The offense that he is installing will draw recruits that want a chance to play in an NFL offense no some college spread that doesn't translate to the next level (sorry Ohio State and Michigan) and the programs tradition will keep us in the publics eye. This season team is a perfect example. This is a team that had many of their top players poached and their depth depleted months before the season and there hasn't been a single game where they didn't compete. And they just keep getting better (see Navy or Temple). Give O'Brien a couple of years to get his system installed and the players to fit it and watch out. If I was the rest of the big ten I'd be worried because penn state will continue to play Nittany lion football and they'll be playing with house money. Garunteed they'll play the role of spoiler more than a couple times during this 4 year stretch.

-OneTeam

Fun to Watch

As a life-long Penn State fan I've grown accustomed to a few things. Strong defense, a solid linebacking core, and a smash mouth, run heavy offense. Now hopefully the O'Brien regime will keep the first two traditions going but through the first four games it's glaringly obvious the offense has changed. The difference is night and day. Now instead of the Power I formation we come out with five wide or three tight end sets. The play calling is more creative and the offense is always in attack mode. I have to admit it's fun to watch. We pick up yards in chunks through big plays rather than grinding away with three yard HB dives up the middle. Stars like Allen Robinson and Gary Carter have emerged as solid weapons. The most amazing part is that it is only going to get better. Once O'Brien has his recruits in to run his system this offense won't even resemble the one seen in Happy Valley for the past 4 decades... Let's just hope the defense can keep up.

Allen Robinson? I thought that was Jerry Rice

Who is Allen Robinson and why wasn't he playing last year?? I think that is the question most Penn State fans are asking themselves three games into the season. Robinson has burst on to the scene as a star wideout and Matt McGloin's go to target. He is a good athlete with all the physical tools to sustain this success. His best attribute is his route running, he run clean precise routes and seems to always find the open space on the field. He reminds me of Jerry Rice, nothing flashy just solid production.

Owls v. Lions... Is that even a question

If this weekends game was a battle of mascots the blue and white would have this one in the bag. Unfortunately that's not how the games played and getting a win in happy valley is gonna be harder than most people think. Last year at Temple with what some would call a more talented roster (even though I would argue less heart but trust me that will be another post) Penn State was barely able to eek out a 3 point victory. This years team has their work cut out for them but I think they come equipped with the offensive system for the job. The lions ability to spread the field this year will give temple's defensive coordinator nightmares. Temple doesn't have the athletes down field to match up with the likes of an Allen Robinson or Alex Kenney(reppin State College High School). In the end it will come down to McGloin's veteran moxy on a late game winning drive
Score: PSU 27 Temple 20

-OneTeam

Big Shoes to Fill

The thought of replacing a legend who was so beloved by the Town he lived in must have seem like a daunting task for new head football coach Bill O'Brien. Joe Paterno was a one of a kind coach who was the last of his breed. Even in his wildest dream O'Brien couldn't imagine having the impact on State College that Paterno had. But O'Brien has the chance to do something Paterno never did, rebuild Penn State's image. The low life scum that tarnished both PSU and Paterno's legacy shall not be named on this blog but lets just say he left everyone associated with Penn State with a sick feeling in their stomach. A once pround community almost felt shamefully wearing blue and white. Thousands of people (including myself) just wanted something positive to hold on to. Insert Bill O'Brien. Since his time on campus O'Brien has done nothing but impress. He hit the ground running immersing himself in the community. It feels like he has done more interviews than both presidential candidates.. COMBINED! Not to mention he is a beast on the recruiting trail. Up until the ridiculous penalties levied  by the NCAA (that's a whole other topic for a different post) he had Penn State in the Top 20 recruiting classes and as high as 12 depending on where you looked. Now I loved JoePa more than some of my relatives but even I admit in his advanced age he just didn't have the energy to promote the program like O'Brien has been. We went from opposite ends of the spectrum in what seemed like seconds and at least for me it took a little bit to adjust. But now that the dust has settled I love what I see from O'Brien and his staff. Sanctions or not I will be excited about this team's future as long as O'Brien is at the helm.

-OneTeam

The Transformation of Matt McGloin

I'll admit it, I am a flip-flopper and I am not afraid to admit it. Last season i screamed at the TV as Penn State played the QB carousel and mostly when I would see number 11 stroll on to the field. For those of you who don't know Matt McGloin was a walk-on from Scranton, Pa who was thrust into the starting job before he was ready because of the pure lack of talent Penn State had on their QB depth chart. Early in his career he had a gunslinger's mentality without the tools and experience to pull it off. He would throw interceptions he had no business putting in the air. I went as far as to say he played some of the worst quarterbacking I've ever seen (and I've had to live through four years of Zach Mills). I may have been being a little rough but I live and breathe PSU football and mediocrity isn't what I want. Also my head was filled false promises of a true freshman(check Rob Boldin... if you wanna waste 5 minutes of your life) Even after seeing him in person lite up an average Michigan defense I still wasn't convinced. Coming into the year I was hoping for Paul Jones and again got Matt McGloin and I am here to tell you that I couldn't be happier. He looks like a whole new quarterback and it's not just his throwing. He has become the true leader of an already fractured team. To this point he has 8 TDs to only 1 Int but more impressive than that he has our team competing on a game-in game-out basis. His command of Bill O'Brien's NFL style offense has transformed a once stagnant offense into an aerial attack that is fun to watch. No Matt McGloin isn't your typical starting QB but i think he's a perfect fit for this team this year and I am excited to see what he does the rest of the way.

-OneTeam   

Twitter

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Welcome

This has been the hardest year for Penn State fans in the history of the program. Jerry Sandusky has shamed us and made many root against Penn State. I'm here to say that there are still proud Penn State supporters and I am one of them. Our boys deserve it.

-OneTeam