- O-line played a nice game. Didn’t realize how big the O- line is when Fox listed their weights. They did a nice job giving Drew time in the pocket. Love the push for the 10 yard touchdown by Allen.
- Did anyone else think the main TV camera covering most of the game was too steep of an angle and too zoomed out? I thought Fox had the camera positioned too high in the stadium and could have placed a camera lower for a better view of the game. Suspect some type of limitations on camera placement for that stadium.
- Why are we not fielding punts? In the last several games we lost substantial yards allowing the ball to drop and roll. Is it too risky to run up and field the punt in those situations?
- Drew did a nice job running the ball. Hope if the situation arises we have that same success next week.
- Penalties have been keeping the opposing team’s offense on the field. We seemed to have a ton of them called against us and many were legitimate penalties. A big change from the beginning of the season.
- Maryland seemed to light up our 2nd in the first half with a decent passing game. That’s two weeks in a row the opposing team had success in the air. We are going against the Big Ten’s most efficient QB next week.
- I am concerned about Singleton and his contributions compared to last year. He had a great kickoff run but only ~ 25 yards rushing for the game. My concern here is the mental toll it takes on a player and (doubtful) does he look for greener pastures.
- Team had a dominant performance against Maryland. Very confident on both sides of the ball. More receivers caught passes and tight ends were used a fair bit. That was not the team that showed up for the Ohio State game; granted different competition. Rutgers scored more points against Ohio State than we did. I obviously hope we win next week and not get dominate as in past years.
My Game Comments
- Thread starter PSUMichFan
- Start date
Agree - especially about Singleton. Pretty clear Allen is the guy at this point.....
Totally agree-Allar has grown up a lot, and it shows. He's ready now, which doesn't guarantee a win, but makes it entirely possible.
I do share your concern about Singleton, but you have to go with the hot hand.
Singleton: I think there's been much discussion of opposing defenses loading the box and forcing Clifford to pass.
I believe that if you asked anyone who followed Penn States's running backs before this season who would be the better running back to run when the box was "loaded" they would have answered Kaytron Allen. So it would stand to reason that they're leaning towards Allen due to how defenses are approaching them.
Note that Singleton, who most would also say would be the better back in space and break a long one, is running kick returns which also seems to fit his natural talents.
Now if defenses have to rethink their approach to loading the box, Singleton once again becomes more of a factor in the running game.
just my 2 cents.
I believe that if you asked anyone who followed Penn States's running backs before this season who would be the better running back to run when the box was "loaded" they would have answered Kaytron Allen. So it would stand to reason that they're leaning towards Allen due to how defenses are approaching them.
Note that Singleton, who most would also say would be the better back in space and break a long one, is running kick returns which also seems to fit his natural talents.
Now if defenses have to rethink their approach to loading the box, Singleton once again becomes more of a factor in the running game.
just my 2 cents.
Singleton looks slower than last year. Not slow, just slower. I think I read that he put on a little bit of weight in the offseason. 2022 Singleton would have taken at least one of the two big kickoff returns to the endzone. I'm also reminded that Allen looked much better as an inside runner than Singleton at the start of last season, but in the second half of the year Singleton improved his vision and really stepped it up. Perhaps we'll see him find that vision again but right now Allen is definitely running better in traffic. That 10 yard TD run from the "T" formation where he dragged the pile for 5 yards was a thing a beauty.
The semi-emergence of Cephas seemed to help Allar. Another set of hands to trust on the outside.
Singleton has UM, RUT, MSU, and a bowl game to do better and change improve his outlook. I'm sure a lot of teams would love to have him but PSU got two 4/5* OL in last year's class. That should give him something to look forward to, especially if he stays 4 years.
Personally I with Franklin would use him in the slot. We're weak at WR and he's very athletic. I also think it's the way to beat Michigan. Look at OSU last year. They beat Michigan by spreading the field and keeping UM off balance. IMO running between the tackles pays right into their hands because they're very strong on the DL.
"Look at OSU last year. They beat Michigan by spreading the field and keeping UM off balance."
Uh .... not quite.
Until he isn’t. When you include receiving yards Allen has 631 yards and Singleton had 628. Allen is a better power back but MY needs to do a better job of getting the ball to Singleton in space IMO
clearly one of the differences in this game was the opening of the playbook and some of the down the middle passes were almost non-existent prior to Saturday. another key difference was that Drew ran a bit - looked like on 3 actual runs he had around 40 yds. We need that from Drew = get 40-60 yds rushing per game. when it is open.
Listening to Justin King, he says that Nick is getting hit in the backfield more than our other backs. it looks like the DEF is still treating him as the big play guy.
Seems they re not using Sigleton properly. He is not a "between the tackles"" runner; especially with this OL.
Singleton is a one cut and go RB. Seems like they’re really trying to make him a more patient runner, but why?? We already have Allen for that. That’s what made this tandem effective last year. One guy ran like Le'Veon bell and the other like Adrian Peterson. Both styles can work. Singleton has to get some downhill momentum though. I’m not convinced he’s lost a step yet bc we’ve barely seen him in the open field. But, it’s not outrageous to think that the added mass has slowed him down a bit. Not everyone is Saquon Barkley
I think there is a possibility that Singleton will hit the portal after this year, especially since we have some stud RBs (Martin, Smith) coming in next season. If so, the pitters will likely make a strong pitch to land him. For the pitters Singleton would be the second coming of Traffic Ticket Tony.
I still think the OL is this teams Achilles' heel. I mentioned before the OSU game that I worried about the DL and the OL because I thought they did not perform as I would expect against lesser opponents. I think the DL has really looked good, OSU included but I think the OL still fails to do any real run blocking. This hurts Allen and Singleton but I think Singleton more. When there is even a glimmer of a gap for him to get through with a little momentum, then he is going to get some yards and generally falls forward. But when he has to hesitate or has to bounce off the backs of his own linemen or is stood up at the line of scrimmage, he has no momentum and the yardage is tough and falling forward is rare. Allen is more of a bull and may get a few more yards in these conditions but the OL is not doing our running game any favors. I think Allen and Singleton are in the top running backs on all of college football, but without a line giving them an opportunity, it is tough sledding.
Good points.
I especially agree about the camera angle.
As for the penalties I agree, although I never did see what the PSU TE did in the end zone. I did see, very clearly, the MD player put his hand in and on Krytrons face and push it and then seemed to take a swipe at him.
I know King is not having the type of year he had last year but I will say that a couple of the plays the IU WR's and at least 1 MD WR catch were outstanding and he had excellent coverage on them.
Not sure what is up with Singleton but I would have Allen getting the majority of the carries.
My only issue with using him in the slot is that he still has trouble catching the ball.
Agree about Maryland’s displays of skill. They made some really fine plays. They didn’t lose by 50 this time.
Then give NS opportunities on 1st and 2nd down, I guess? It’s worth the risk (as far as dropping passes is concerned) putting him in the slot. I was really hoping for a big season for him. It’s not too late, though.
Can anyone example a player who had an unexpectedly sub-par first nine or so games and then turned it around the last four games, becoming the player we expected?
I agree on the Fox camera angle. They do this on all their games. someone obviously is trying to be innovative by positioning the camera so every single player on the field is in view. It's ridiculous. So many have co.plained about this you would think they would get the message.
good comments.
I actually liked the angle. I can watch the DB vs WR pre and post-snap shenanigans.
I agree on penalties. We've committed far too many this year. The roughing on the hit on Allar was pretty egregious.
It was a funny game to watch. At halftime, I was frustrated with our defense. Then I looked and saw we gave up 7 points. MD had -47 yards rushing. I also thought we should have more than 21 points. However, aside from the last drive (that we got with only seconds to go) we scored on 3 of the 4 possessions we had in the game.
Lastly, I thought PSU practiced the long ball late in the game to use against UM. Every team has been playing up to stop the run and forcing our short to intermediate passing game. If we can hit on a few bombs, it will change how teams defend us. Unfortunately, we missed one because it was over the wrong shoulder to KLS and Warren dropped a very catchable one in the end zone. Cephas first TD catch was great and got him going.
For some reason, the campus seemed small to me. They are building a train line that will run (surface) right through the campus. I like the idea of the train, but I see that as a problem with regards to safety.
I had seats on the corner of end zone where Warren caught the TD in the second quarter. At least we had seats against the railing so no one was behind us. It gave a good view of the field with the exception of the far corner of the end zone where Cephas caught his second TD pass.
Maryland fans were not really bad at all, although I did see one guy with a yellow "Joe knew and did nothing" shirt. Dude looked to be about 35, so I guess he was still living on the past. No one commented on his shirt - either positive or negative.
The stadium is old and just seems tired. Populous could do well to give it a make over.
I felt bad for Taulia - he and Prather are the two best options for Md on offense and he just could not get things going, despite the 17 straight passess complete. Prather really is good and if he had come to PSU from WVU......I think we would not be as concerned for our WR room as we have been.
It was an easy drive home after the game- easier than driving home from SC. Other than Rutgers (which is mostly a train ride), UMd is the easiest road trip.
I had seats on the corner of end zone where Warren caught the TD in the second quarter. At least we had seats against the railing so no one was behind us. It gave a good view of the field with the exception of the far corner of the end zone where Cephas caught his second TD pass.
Maryland fans were not really bad at all, although I did see one guy with a yellow "Joe knew and did nothing" shirt. Dude looked to be about 35, so I guess he was still living on the past. No one commented on his shirt - either positive or negative.
The stadium is old and just seems tired. Populous could do well to give it a make over.
I felt bad for Taulia - he and Prather are the two best options for Md on offense and he just could not get things going, despite the 17 straight passess complete. Prather really is good and if he had come to PSU from WVU......I think we would not be as concerned for our WR room as we have been.
It was an easy drive home after the game- easier than driving home from SC. Other than Rutgers (which is mostly a train ride), UMd is the easiest road trip.
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Agree. I haven't noticed the offensive line play a nice game, yet which is a big part of Drew's issues.
something is different in what he did at Auburn and in Rose Bowl vs Utah. he was gone very quickly. he is getting hit often in the backfield. Justin King commented on this and heard Jack Ham say the same thing. teams are determined not to let him get going. When Drew does not pull the ball on the option that makes it more challenging. they had to respect Clifford on the keep side. I also think the counter play that seemed to spring Nick is not used like last year. He has had a couple runs that would have been home run - Illinois being one but were just like a 15 yd TD run that broke.
Seriously doubt that. My secretary’s son played football with Nick at Governor Mifflin. She knows him and his family well and he is not that type of kid.
And the sad part is that the OL is actually better at pass blocking than run blocking.
I like the wide angle too. I enjoy seeing how plays develop and the typical zoomed in look doesn't show all of the WRs and DBs making it harder to understand what the QB is seeing.
It is an odd thing for me not to like it since I love my seats in NEU. I think the problem, at least for me, is they start out with with the wide shot and then they start zooming in so you still miss a lot of what's going on.
I'm not a fan of the Fox broadcast.
I was beating down our interior d-line before the season started. They have held up really, really well for most of the season. I was totally wrong about them.
The o-line continues to be a mystery. There is NFL talent on this line and at the RB position. Heck, according to a number of people who follow this stuff, the number one lineman plays for us. I know, teams are stacking the box, but my goodness every year there seems to be a reason why the unit, as a whole, never delivers consistently. I don't know if it is the blocking scheme, if we are easy to scout when a run play is coming, if it is the shotgun snaps with mesh handoffs that screw up the timing of everything, or if we just don't recruit and develop the elite of the elite linemen that can dominate anyone across from them. I will say that lately we have struggled to recruit elite centers. I see what the Eagles have and what they are able to do with him. We don't have that guy on this team; can't tell you the last time we did.
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