Penn State‘s annual Blue White game gave Nittany Lions fans their glimpse of the new era of Penn State football as the defense beat the offense 77-65 in the Beaver Stadium debut of head coach Bill O’Brien. A crowd estimated at 60,000 turned out for the game, which used a modified scoring system.
No doubt most people were curious to see how the quarterback competition was going and how those guys looked in the new offense. The results were, predictably, mixed. Matt McGloin completed 6 of 13 passes for 105 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Rob Bolden went 7-of-14 but had three interceptions. Paul Jones was 6-of-15 for 113 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Read more...(479 words, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)
ESPN have released their ESPN150 football recruiting rankings for the class of 2013 and quarterback Christian Hackenberg is ranked as the top pro-style signal caller in the class, while Cedar Cliff product Adam Breneman checked in as the nation’s top tight end.
The Nittany Lions‘ list of verbal commitments currently stands at eight after Hershey High School offensive lineman Andrew Nelson gave his verbal declaration yesterday.
Penn State is also in pursuit of several other touted players on the ESPN150. The Nittany Lions have been linked to Tampa, Fla., cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (No. 4 overall, No. 1 CB); Wyomissing High School linebacker Alex Anzalone (No. 65); and Imhotep Charter running back David Williams (No. 118). Read more...(154 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)
According to Statecollege.com, this is what the Penn State depth chart looks like heading into this weekend’s Blue-White Game.
Offense
QB – Matt McGloin/Rob Bolden/Paul Jones
RB – Silas Redd/Zach Zwinak/Bill Belton
FB – Michael Zordich
WR – Justin Brown/Allen Robinson
WR – Christian Kuntz/Shawney Kersey
WR – Shawney Kersey/Matt Zanellato
TE – Garry Gilliam/Jesse James/Kevin Haplea
LT – Adam Gress/Nate Cadogan/Luke Graham
LG – Miles Dieffenbach/Angelo Mangiro/Patrick Christie
C – Matt Stankiewitch/TyHowle/Frank Figueroa
RG – John Urschel/Eric Shrive/Khamrone Kolb
RT – Donovan Smith/Mike Farrell/Kevin Blanchard
Note: Wide receiver is lacking depth because of injuries to Alex Kenney (knee/ankle) and Devon Smith (left foot sprain). Read more...(169 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)
Penn State‘s linebacking unit suffered a blow today when reserve Jamie Van Fleet suffered a torn ACL, according to Blue White Illustrated.
Van Fleet, who was running with the first-team defense at the weak side position in the absences of Mike Mauti and Khairi Fortt, came up limp during a drill at Wednesday’s practice, just before the media was asked to leave the open portion of the session.
Now we know the fifth-year senior is likely lost for the year and may have played his last game altogether. He would have the option to petition the NCAA for a sixth year. Read more...(139 words, estimated 33 secs reading time)
Justin Brown, Gerald Hodges, Pete Massaro, Michael Mauti, Silas Redd, and Matt Stankiewitch speak with the media before the Nittany Lions‘ 9th practice of the spring.
Receiver Justin Brown explained in a few simple words this past week one big example of why Penn State football as we’ve come to know it no longer exists.
“The past playbook was kind of simple,” said Brown, pointing out the obvious, “but this one’s a lot more creative.”
We won’t find out exactly how creative PSU‘s new offense is two weeks from now in the Blue-White Game, since Bill O’Brien and his staff likely won’t tip their hands too much. But the spring game will give us some glimpses into the program’s long-awaited foray into modern offensive football.
“Everybody’s excited about the new offense,” Brown said. Read more...(498 words, estimated 2:0 mins reading time)