Following is Neil Rudel's report card from Penn State's 37-24 loss to Florida in the Outback Bowl on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium:
POSITION GRADE COMMENT
Quarterback F McGloin's five interceptions could have been doubled. And yet, there was no movement toward backup Bolden.
Running backs C+ Royster (20-98) ended his career with 3,932 yards. Redd (8-22) will enter spring as No. 1 tailback. Zordich (3-5) was 1-for-2 on one-yard bursts.
Offensive line C+ McGloin wasn't sacked and didn't appear to be particularly rushed. You'd like to say they got away from run, but team averaged 3.9 on 36 rushes.
Receivers B- Moye (5-79) atoned for stepping out on one TD by snagging fade and catching fly. After late-season improvement, Brown dropped two.
Tight end C Haplea, comically, was wide open for at least six seconds on McGloin's 2-yard touchdown run. Cadogan inserted for goal-line jumbo set, and Lions scored.
Offensive coaching D Maddening how it takes too long to get the play down from the press box when Lions get into red zone. Credit goes for the Devon Smith reverse.
Defensive line B+Devon Still (7 stops, 3.5 TFLs) played his best game of the year. Pete Massaro antsy on a costly offsides and lost contain on Florida reverse TD.
Linebacker B- Gbadyu didn't stay home on TD reverse and was pulled. Colasanti led with 10 stops, and Hodges came off bench to make six. Anxious to see what Carson, who entered late, can do next year.
Secondary B+ Wasn't beaten deep. Lynn was especially good with early pick and fumble recovery. Willis unfairly hit with interference. Dailey replaced banged up Astorino in second half.
Defensive coaching B+ Nice adjustments since Michigan State. Defended three-headed QB well and put offense in position to win. More turnovers needed next year.
Special teams D Fera took too long to get blocked punt off. Granted, he's coming off appendectomy. Lack of kickoff returns hurt when offense needed spark. Wagner will be missed.
The other guy BFlorida showed resiliency in coming back from three different deficits to score game's final 20 points. Any chance Meyer is coaching PSU in 2013? Doubt it, too.
Officials C Surprised ACC crew didn't review two fumbles - one by Redd, the other on the incompletion to Brown that looked like a fumble. Plus it blew the Willis alleged interference. Crew right that Moye stepped out on first TD.
Atmosphere A A perfect weather day - and how about a shoutout to the Outback Bowl for the best hospitality, of any bowl, at least for our media brethren.
Overall grade CEven bad football can be entertaining. This was not a good Penn State team, but this was a very winnable game.
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Neil Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com. He will respond to brief
comments in Gameday.
