Penn State Nittany Lions Thread

[Nittany Boiler 214]

Please add me as an Alum!

[Soluna 17,863]

1 hour ago, Nittany Boiler said:

Please add me as an Alum!

 

Sure. Welcome to the Site. We Are!

[Soluna 17,863]

@grv413 @D Stack

 

 

[Soluna 17,863]

@grv413 How are you feeling about the season so far?

[grv413 2,153]

2 hours ago, Soluna said:

@grv413 How are you feeling about the season so far?

It’s about what I’ve expected so far. Definitely thought we were gonna beat Pitt worse than we did, but they shockingly look like a decent team somehow. The Maryland game was only a surprise because they looked lifeless. 
 

Special teams wise nothing to complain about. Jordan Stout is worth the scholarship. Lorig looks to be a good hire so far. 

Defensively we’ve played really really well. The DTs are surprising. Thought they’d be a point of weakness, but they’ve been strong so far. Safeties need to pick it up or Fields is going to destroy us. 

 

Offensively, we have to work on some things. Clifford has been shaky so far, but he’s in his first year starting, so I’m not really worried yet. They have to do something about the running back rotation, 4 throughout the year isn’t going to work I don’t think. OLine is better than expected. 
 

Overall I still think we’re in the 9-10 win range, but if we can get through MSU, 10-11 is still on the table. I don’t think there’s a world in which we can beat OSU right now (they still haven’t really been challenged yet though) but I think we have the horses to beat anyone else in the B1G. We’re just a really young team, so we’ll drop one or two we’re not supposed to. 

[grv413 2,153]

How do you guys think we'll do Saturday? I'm afraid of some Kinnick voodoo, but Franklin has a pretty good record against Iowa (3-0). I think our defense should completely shut Iowa down, I'm just afraid our young offense can't do anything against a solid Iowa defense. I think this will be a 3 point game in whoever's direction that wins the turnover battle

[smackemz 2,380]

How do you guys feel about how Franklin handled this alumni's letter to Jonathan Sutherland?  As an outsider I thought Franklin's statement was great and the perfect way to respond to the issue.  

[wrigleyfan 262]

On 7/1/2019 at 6:02 PM, Soluna said:

10-12-19 | @ Iowa | W

 

Looking forward to watching Saturday night.  Just hope your prediction is wrong  

[Soluna 17,863]

On 10/10/2019 at 12:25 PM, wrigleyfan said:

 

Looking forward to watching Saturday night.  Just hope your prediction is wrong  

 

Well then, that was a Big Ten game alright

[wrigleyfan 262]

8 minutes ago, Soluna said:

 

Well then, that was a Big Ten game alright

 

Big boy football.  Penn State control both lines if scrimmage in the second half - that made the difference. Good luck against the fighting Harbaughs

[Soluna 17,863]

@grv413 How are you feeling about Minnesota?

 

I fear Goldie.

[grv413 2,153]

1 hour ago, Soluna said:

@grv413 How are you feeling about Minnesota?

 

I fear Goldie.

So, I'm surprisingly optimistic about this game. I think Franklin got the Michigan State monkey off the teams back and now they're hungry and have a focus. I'm slightly afraid they're looking ahead to the OSU game in a couple weeks, but I think this team has bought into Franklin's message and should be ready to play.

 

Minnesota is a good team. They have some studs on offense and a pretty stout defense. Fleck is a pretty good coach and their team has definitely bought into the row the boat mantra. Their fans should be up for it as well. That being said, Minneapolis at 11 am is nowhere near as threatening as Kinnick at night. We're the best team they've seen all season and it's not even close. And we can out athlete them in every facet of the game. I think it'll be close, it's still an away game and we still have a young QB, but I think we can pull out the win

[Soluna 17,863]

On 11/7/2019 at 10:09 AM, grv413 said:

So, I'm surprisingly optimistic about this game. I think Franklin got the Michigan State monkey off the teams back and now they're hungry and have a focus. I'm slightly afraid they're looking ahead to the OSU game in a couple weeks, but I think this team has bought into Franklin's message and should be ready to play.

 

Minnesota is a good team. They have some studs on offense and a pretty stout defense. Fleck is a pretty good coach and their team has definitely bought into the row the boat mantra. Their fans should be up for it as well. That being said, Minneapolis at 11 am is nowhere near as threatening as Kinnick at night. We're the best team they've seen all season and it's not even close. And we can out athlete them in every facet of the game. I think it'll be close, it's still an away game and we still have a young QB, but I think we can pull out the win

 

You was saying?

[grv413 2,153]

On 11/9/2019 at 2:52 PM, Soluna said:

 

You was saying?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

It'll be okay, we're still a young team and I really didn't expect to be 8-1 at this point. We also still control our own destiny in the East, which is good (although I don't think we beat OSU). We just can't MSU this IU game next weekend.

[Ahven D'Gale 382]

@grv413 @Soluna

I just heard that Justin Shorter was entering the portal. How do you both feel about that? I know he hasn't played much, but he was highly recruited.

[grv413 2,153]

3 hours ago, Ahven D'Gale said:

@grv413 @Soluna

I just heard that Justin Shorter was entering the portal. How do you both feel about that? I know he hasn't played much, but he was highly recruited.

Really hope he comes back. He has underperformed like crazy and needs to build up his confidence, but he has a ton of potential. Not really sure where he's going to go, anywhere he goes he'll have to sit a year, and I don't see that being an advantage for him.

[Nittany Boiler 214]

He has the chance to play at PSU but he needs to perform.  Odd timing after a decent game at OSU and a starting role and more opportunity next season.   I have long questioned the actual routes that Penn State runs.  Safe throws, rarely over the middle in stride, streaks are always sidelines and fades to a big receiver (not TE) in the end zone could all help.   The portal is not the answer when given a chance to play and not performing at a high level. 

[grv413 2,153]

5 hours ago, Ahven D'Gale said:

@grv413 @Soluna

I just heard that Justin Shorter was entering the portal. How do you both feel about that? I know he hasn't played much, but he was highly recruited.

Just saw he’s more than likely not coming back. Apparently has been talking to LSU already. 

[Ahven D'Gale 382]

2 hours ago, grv413 said:

Just saw he’s more than likely not coming back. Apparently has been talking to LSU already. 

LSU seems like an odd choice since this is the first time in history they've had a passing offense

[Nittany Boiler 214]

Shorter is off the active roster already.  Reported to not be playing this weekend.

[grv413 2,153]

Rahne took the job at ODU today (pretty sure he was encouraged to take that job, but that's speculation). Leaves an interesting hole at OC. I've seen a good number of names thrown around but I'm not sure which one sticks. Will be interesting to follow. If I see anything concrete, I'll post in here. Joe Brady, Sean Gleason, Ryan Yurcich are all common names I've seen, but idk what their interest level is. I don't love the Brady hire either, I want someone with concrete OC experience. I know LSU's offense turned the corner this year and he's the "architect" but I'm still skeptical because I'm not sure how many plays he's actually calling down there.

 

We landed Theo Johnson at TE today as well. He should be next in the line of great TEs produced by us. He's a really productive player and I've seen people say he's the best TE in this class (ranked #3). Had a great 2021 recruiting weekend of players from the DMV as well, Caleb Williams was the marquee name. Really really really want to land him, but I'm skeptical. There is some really good OLine players were in on early for 2021. Already landed Nate Bruce from Harrisburg, but this could be the best OLine class under Franklin. 10-2 this year was huge for momentum. Beat Memphis in the Cotton and that's 3 11 win seasons in 4 years. Hell of an accomplishment. Just need to break through to the next level next season (and I think we can do that).

[grv413 2,153]

Some names I've seen pop up:

Joe Brady (LSU PGC/WR) - not going to happen we need an OC with QB coaching experience

Tyler Bowen (PSU TE Coach) - unlikely he's on staff already and is lacking experience

Kirk Ciarrocca (Minn OC)

Kalen Deboer (IU OC)

Sean Gleeson (OK St OC)

[Nittany Boiler 214]

9 or 10 returning offensive starters for next season.  This will really be a key hire for the program and for Franklin.   I feel the choice does not have to bee the 20 year choice - get the best available and then build with the innovation, improvement and player development over the next few years.  

[Nittany Boiler 214]

Let's go Lions!  Show up, play tough on D, loose on offense and take care of business to get the mind set ready for next year.   If Hamler back - should be the year, right?

[Nittany Boiler 214]

KJ Hamler declares for the NFL draft.