What are your positives & negatives from game #1

[DaytonRickster]

POSITIVES
- DDS (dominant)
- Amare Campbell (leading tackler, plays under control)
- Transfer WRs (Hudson & Pena were effective. Need to get Ross involved)
- Special Teams (FGs. 4 for 4; excellent PR by King Mack)
- Allar was efficient
- QB #2 Grunkemeyer played well and looked poised
- Zane Durant disruptive and had INT
- Alonzo Ford, Jr looked good teamed with Zane even with limited reps
- Xavier Gilliam, Ty Blanding, and Enai White did well w/their reps at DT

NEGATIVES
- Allar running (scrambling too much against inferior opponent)
- Starting OL allowed too much pressure on Allar
- Starting OL weren't sustaining blocks in run game (still work in progress)
- Desperately need Zuriah Fisher back @ other DE position
- Young DEs were often pinched inside allowing Purdy (QB) to scramble. They'll learn
- Rojas & Deluca slow start. Rojas did better as game progressed
- Still no clarity on LBers beyond the primary three

Your thoughts?

 

[Nittering Nabob]

Deluca

Clifford

 

[KingLando]

Good list
Amare Campbell along with Hudson/Pena stood out to me for obvious reasons--we need them
I thought Allar was nearly perfect throwing the ball though I agree with him running too much considering the opponent

 

[Arivacalion]

Solid game but not without some issues. Running game wasn't what we need it to be. Special teams were poor in covering kicks.

That's it. The starting defense is outstanding. The backups were good. The 3rd unit was poor.

 

[Erial_Lion]

Positives - we won and we stayed healthy.

negative - we played Nevada and learned nothing about what we’ve got against the opponents that matter.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Positives - we won and we stayed healthy.

negative - we played Nevada and learned nothing about what we’ve got against the opponents that matter.

Some of the youngsters rc'vd PT and learned some lessons today. Those were not wasted reps. Game film to teach them.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Solid game but not without some issues. Running game wasn't what we need it to be. Special teams were poor in covering kicks.

That's it. The starting defense is outstanding. The backups were good. The 3rd unit was poor.

Yes, 3rd string defense was challenged to make plays - struggled.

 

[LB99]

POSITIVES
- DDS (dominant)
- Amare Campbell (leading tackler, plays under control)
- Transfer WRs (Hudson & Pena were effective. Need to get Ross involved)
- Special Teams (FGs. 4 for 4; excellent PR by King Mack)
- Allar was efficient
- QB #2 Grunkemeyer played well and looked poised
- Zane Durant disruptive and had INT
- Alonzo Ford, Jr looked good teamed with Zane even with limited reps
- Xavier Gilliam, Ty Blanding, and Enai White did well w/their reps at DT

NEGATIVES
- Allar running (scrambling too much against inferior opponent)
- Starting OL allowed too much pressure on Allar
- Starting OL weren't sustaining blocks in run game (still work in progress)
- Desperately need Zuriah Fisher back @ other DE position
- Young DEs were often pinched inside allowing Purdy (QB) to scramble. They'll learn
- Rojas & Deluca slow start. Rojas did better as game progressed
- Still no clarity on LBers beyond the primary three

Your thoughts?

Was I the only one surprised that Donkoh started at RG? Was there any indication of that coming out of camp? The OL did a lot of shuffling today also. Cousins and Shanahan got a lot of reps with the starters. Perhaps the meshing of OL rotations isn’t quite gelling yet?

 

[BobPSU92]

Positives:

Negatives: Franklin

 

[94LionsFan]

Positive: It was a CFB scorigami.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Was I the only one surprised that Donkoh started at RG? Was there any indication of that coming out of camp? The OL did a lot of shuffling today also. Cousins and Shanahan got a lot of reps with the starters. Perhaps the meshing of OL rotations isn’t quite gelling yet?

CJF announced a few days before the game that Donkoh was going to start at RG.

 

[Srg111]

CJF announced a few days before the game that Donkoh was going to start at RG.

And there was plenty of talk about it over the last couple of weeks.

 

[PSU Mike]

Rapp looked ready with little rust.

 

[JohnJumba]

Coaches


Suicidal running on some Plays.

How are players going to stay healthy barreling into piles of players like kamikaze running full tilt? Especially when it's not necessary..

 

[LMTLION]

Similar list for me:
Positives
- Hudson and Pena are the best wrs we have had since Washington. I was impressed.
-DL may be better than last year.
-Allar looked composed
- Campbell is the real deal
Negatives
-OL massively disappointed, particularly at run blocking. It was shocking.
-No 40+ yd explosive plays on offense
-Ross, who figured to be the explosive wr, was not a factor. Is he still nursing some dings from camp?

 

[Nits1989]

Great 2 minute drill before the half. Really impressive.

 

[PSUForever]

Positives
-Drew had great chemistry with Hudson and Pena with a vertical passing game. All 3 looked very good.
-Excellent FG kicking. Great return by Mack.
-DDS looked dominant.
-Grunk got a lot of game experience and looked good.
-No turnovers.

Negatives
-O-Line underwhelmed after all the hype. Shaky on pass protection. No big holes opened up for run game. Need to be much better in the trenches. This is Nevada....

Good to get a big win but it does not tell us much given the inferior competition. Clearly we will need the O-Line to play much better to beat OSU especially after watching their D today.

 

[Roar More]

The punting game showed me nothing! NOTHING!!!

 

[MacNit]

Positives:

- DDS should be playing on Sundays - now
- Kaytron Allen - such a consistent presence…one heck of a colllege football player
- Special Teams
- Coaching - team seemed to have an organized game plan…but did not execute smoothly on either side of ball.

Negatives:

- WRs - hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but this crew will not cut it. Struggled to get open. And this is against Nevada. What will happen against real teams? I shudder to think. Pena seems like a tough, battler…but small. Ross? Invisible. Hudson was ok (again, against Nevada), but I doubt O$U will lose any sleep.

- Allar…so many bobbled snaps that ruined plays. How long has Nick Dawkins centered first him. Jeez. Can’t waste plays against real teams. And most of his passes were check downs, and screens. Only marginally better vertical passing…and against Nevada. You are not going to get broken play TDs against O$U…those will be picked.

Linebacker play - UNC transfer looked good. Others (including DeLuca - who typically is sound) were out of position and took bad angles.

Overall: Defense should and can and will get better. Offense? I give up on Allar ever having a decent game against a decent team. To be fair, his WR core has been horrendous. Someone needs to be held accountable. WR recruiting is terrible and development is as bad or worse.

 

[Ludd]

Positives:

- DDS should be playing on Sundays - now
- Kaytron Allen - such a consistent presence…one heck of a colllege football player
- Special Teams

Negatives:

- WRs - hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but this crew will not cut it. Struggled to get open. And this is against Nevada.

Huh? We had more receptions than any other top 20 team that played an easy opponent. So if our receivers couldn’t get open, then nobody’s receivers in the nation could get open against weak competition.

 

[MacNit]

Huh? We had more receptions than any other top 20 team that played an easy opponent. So if our receivers couldn’t get open, then nobody’s receivers in the nation could get open against weak competition.

If you think checkdowns and a broken play will cut it against real teams, I wish you the best.

One could also ask why we needed to throw so much against such a weak team with the “Best OL in USA.”

And these WRs are finished products. Yikes.

 

[not so fast my friend]

Positives: no turnovers
Wide receivers caught some passes
Made FGs
No horrendous penalties
Improved “hot” receiver or check-downs available
2 min drives before half
Avoiding injuries
Defensive line .


negatives:
Run blocking
Too many FGs/not finishing drives
Less use of TEs than I expected
Few deep pass routes/attempts
QB draw coverage

Couldn’t assess secondary much as DL so dominant.

 

[Bvillebaron]

Positives:

- DDS should be playing on Sundays - now
- Kaytron Allen - such a consistent presence…one heck of a colllege football player
- Special Teams
- Coaching - team seemed to have an organized game plan…but did not execute smoothly on either side of ball.

Negatives:

- WRs - hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but this crew will not cut it. Struggled to get open. And this is against Nevada. What will happen against real teams? I shudder to think. Pena seems like a tough, battler…but small. Ross? Invisible. Hudson was ok (again, against Nevada), but I doubt O$U will lose any sleep.

- Allar…so many bobbled snaps that ruined plays. How long has Nick Dawkins centered first him. Jeez. Can’t waste plays against real teams. And most of his passes were check downs, and screens. Only marginally better vertical passing…and against Nevada. You are not going to get broken play TDs against O$U…those will be picked.

Linebacker play - UNC transfer looked good. Others (including DeLuca - who typically is sound) were out of position and took bad angles.

Overall: Defense should and can and will get better. Offense? I give up on Allar ever having a decent game against a decent team. To be fair, his WR core has been horrendous. Someone needs to be held accountable. WR recruiting is terrible and development is as bad or worse.

Well you win the prize for the most asinine post on the game. What a

 

[Nitt1300]

Easily won a game that should have been easily won,
WRs looked like real WRs.
Allar was very sharp for an opening game.
33 looks ready.
Coaches will find stuff to be worked on this week.

So, I've got no complaints.

 

[rudedude]

Positives:

- DDS should be playing on Sundays - now
- Kaytron Allen - such a consistent presence…one heck of a colllege football player
- Special Teams
- Coaching - team seemed to have an organized game plan…but did not execute smoothly on either side of ball.

Negatives:

- WRs - hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but this crew will not cut it. Struggled to get open. And this is against Nevada. What will happen against real teams? I shudder to think. Pena seems like a tough, battler…but small. Ross? Invisible. Hudson was ok (again, against Nevada), but I doubt O$U will lose any sleep.

- Allar…so many bobbled snaps that ruined plays. How long has Nick Dawkins centered first him. Jeez. Can’t waste plays against real teams. And most of his passes were check downs, and screens. Only marginally better vertical passing…and against Nevada. You are not going to get broken play TDs against O$U…those will be picked.

Linebacker play - UNC transfer looked good. Others (including DeLuca - who typically is sound) were out of position and took bad angles.

Overall: Defense should and can and will get better. Offense? I give up on Allar ever having a decent game against a decent team. To be fair, his WR core has been horrendous. Someone needs to be held accountable. WR recruiting is terrible and development is as bad or worse.

Gee, let’s show the whole playbook of our passing game vs Nevada! That would be a brilliant strategy. They moved the sticks and made plays. Breakdowns in the OL didn’t help as well as going too much up tempo.

 

[Marshall2323]

If you think checkdowns and a broken play will cut it against real teams, I wish you the best.

One could also ask why we needed to throw so much against such a weak team with the “Best OL in USA.”

And these WRs are finished products. Yikes.

Someone once told me that when one door closes another opens. I miss Sunday Morning papers. The Comic/Cartoon sections specifically.
But God sent you to provide me humor.

 

[Marshall2323]

The team was coached for a scrimmage. They have two more similar preseason events. Then a bye.

 

[Marshall2323]

Well you win the prize for the most asinine post on the game. What a

He actually should be commended for demonstrating uncharacteristic restraint. He did not verbally abuse the Drum Major or demand we "fire Franklin."

 

[Nitt1300]

He actually should be tarred and feathered and ridden out of here on a rail.

FIFY

 

[CyphaPSU]

Positive: the new DC is aggressive. He finds different ways to create pressure.

Negative: the new DC is aggressive. Aggressive LB’s are ripe for getting burned on draws and screens.

It’ll schematically get worked out in the coming weeks.

 

[Nits1989]

If you think checkdowns and a broken play will cut it against real teams, I wish you the best.

One could also ask why we needed to throw so much against such a weak team with the “Best OL in USA.”

And these WRs are finished products. Yikes.

i thought Hudson and Pena were effective. Comparable to or better than WRs from Georgia and Oregon. No complaints.

 

[KingLando]

If you think checkdowns and a broken play will cut it against real teams, I wish you the best.

One could also ask why we needed to throw so much against such a weak team with the “Best OL in USA.”

And these WRs are finished products. Yikes.

Check downs? Yeah some were...some were good decisions going through his progressions...some were amazing, designed NFL throws. They even broke it down during the game. Maybe you were at the game or had a few too many but Allar was about as sharp as any QB could be..

But no OSU isn't worried...they shut down almost every pass game they play. Downs is arguably the best player in the country. We'll need DDS to negate that. It's going to be a low scoring game like Texas-OSU and Clemson-LSU

 

[JoePaMajorCFBrecord409Ws]

Solid game but not without some issues. Running game wasn't what we need it to be. Special teams were poor in covering kicks.

That's it. The starting defense is outstanding. The backups were good. The 3rd unit was poor.

Don't really agree. PSU from the opening drive looked like they were intent on working on their passing game. Thought the offense did a good job in establishing a very effective passing game with a fleet of new receivers. Smart of CJF to work on, and establish, an extremely effective passing game before the b1g season starts. The Offenses focus yesterday was clearly on the passing game. Allar was 22 of 26 with 2 drops.... and PSU had 17 completions to WRs (6 completions to TEs and 6 to RBs).

 

[Connorpozlee]

Positives- I watched the first two drives of the game alone in my hotel room, drinking a couple of beers.
Negatives- People came back to the hotel room to get ready for the wedding, walking back and forth in front of the TV as if I wasn’t sitting there watching the game.

 

[Marshall2323]

FIFY

He is the proverbial broken clock....destined to be right eventually. It must be terrible to live a a fan life as a sad and bitter soul waiting and praying for a team to stumble.
We are all merely spectators in the grand scheme of PSU football. We buckle in and ride the rollar coaster or "drop towers," by choice. Most of us realize that we don't steer the ride.

 

[mh-larch]

Positives: Coaches had team work on tempo, two-minute drill, two point conversion, and backups got in, able to sit starters (team going deep into playoffs strategy). Better to work out the bugs now than against better competition. Lastly, Cam Wallace

Negatives: OL, linebackers. A bit disappointed in the running game......mostly OL not opening holes. Allen ran hard - the guy is a beast!

 

[DaytonRickster]

Similar list for me:
Positives
- Hudson and Pena are the best wrs we have had since Washington. I was impressed.
-DL may be better than last year.
-Allar looked composed
- Campbell is the real deal
Negatives
-OL massively disappointed, particularly at run blocking. It was shocking.
-No 40+ yd explosive plays on offense
-Ross, who figured to be the explosive wr, was not a factor. Is he still nursing some dings from camp?

I think a reshuffling of the right side of the OL is in order: I'd put Donkoh back at RT and put either Cousins or Shanahan at RG.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Positives
-Drew had great chemistry with Hudson and Pena with a vertical passing game. All 3 looked very good.
-Excellent FG kicking. Great return by Mack.
-DDS looked dominant.
-Grunk got a lot of game experience and looked good.
-No turnovers.

Negatives
-O-Line underwhelmed after all the hype. Shaky on pass protection. No big holes opened up for run game. Need to be much better in the trenches. This is Nevada....

Good to get a big win but it does not tell us much given the inferior competition. Clearly we will need the O-Line to play much better to beat OSU especially after watching their D today.

It is apparent, fans and the sports writers agree the OL underperformed after all the hype. Bunching up, not staying on blocks, allowing too much pressure on Allar. I'd give them a "D" at best. Unimpressive when you can't impose your will on Nevada. Somebody better light a fire under them.

 

[LMTLION]

It is apparent, fans and the sports writers agree the OL underperformed after all the hype. Bunching up, not staying on blocks, allowing too much pressure on Allar. I'd give them a "D" at best. Unimpressive when you can't impose your will on Nevada. Somebody better light a fire under them.

The performance is even worse when you examine Nevada’s 2024 results. If the OL does not meaningfully improve from wk1, this is a 2-3 loss team. I went into this game thinking we would put so many rushing yards up that it would be difficult to get a sense of the new transfer wrs. The opposite happened.

 

[LB99]

For those concerned about the defense, remember it took some time for the Knowles defense to click at Ohio St. with all of their elite athletes. It’s supposedly an intricate scheme that takes some time to learn. As long as the guys get it by the end of the month, that’s all that matters.