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Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:
Neil:
You mentioned Hank Kimball from Green Acres in a recent column.
He was not acting. He stayed with my wife and me for a week in Montoursville years ago.
He was doing a documentary on Little League Baseball. His room at a local hotel was given to someone else so he and his wife stayed with us. As a favor to Steve Keener (Little League president) we took them in.
His real name was Alvy Moore, and his wife was
Carolyn. Alvy would get up around 5:30 every morning, put his robe on and go out and sit by our pool.
He was just as goofy in real life as he was on Green Acres. He was a great, great guy. We miss him.
Steve Dewar, Montoursville
Steve:
This might be my favorite letter of all time.
Please don't tell me you knew Eb and Mr. Haney, too.
Hey, Neil:
I decided to listen to Steve Jones and Jack Ham on the radio while watching the opening game on FS1.
On a few of their calls they made mention of the team moving toward the North end zone, with the camera work facing the Penn State sidelines, and that would have placed them on the West side of the stadium, where the new construction is taking place.
I thought you had previously told me that they had moved the media to the East side of the stadium when the old press box came down? Was that just temporary, and are you all now back on the West side of the stadium?
Will Walk, Spring, Texas
(Note: The writer is a Tyrone native).
Hey, Will:
The press box moved to the East side last year and, as I understand it, will remain there.
The TV and radio booths, however, are still on the West side, creating the same vantage point they've always had.
The booths are underneath the new suites currently being constructed.
Plus, according to Steve Jones, TV cameras need to be on the West side with sun at their backs.
Neil:
Now that the "preseason" is over what questions seem to be answered and unanswered?
The defense has proven to be solid and consistent, some may say outstanding, but the competition needs to be considered.
Very obviously Koby Howard has stepped up in the receiving room along with Ben Brahmer among the tight ends.
To me the running back situation still has the most unanswered questions. We've heard how Hansen is still playing his way into game shape after missing fall camp and Martin regaining the coaches' trust. Peoples has shown to be steady but not explosive. Martin showed his explosiveness this past week.
Maybe running back by committee is the answer at this point.
John Pifer, Middlebury Center
John:
Maybe.
I appreciate your weekly contributions (most of them, anyway) and hope all readers will consider one brief comment or question per season.
The passings of longtime prolific contributors Les Hart (Duncansville) and Bill Obert (Bedford) is being felt in the mailbag.
Neil:
For me this is a year of uncertainty, and as I'm looking at 2026 from 30,000 feet, I will consider success as winning what we should, developing backups at key positions (especially QB and LB), playing smart football and not stubbing our toe against weaker competition.
I'll take 9-3, but I'm not predicting it.
Lu Dorfman, Houston
Lu:
You must not be afraid of heights.
Neil:
Congratulations on 50 years of Penn State coverage.
You and the late Ronnie Christ were the two best writers in my opinion in my many years following the team.
Marty Mehring, Port Matilda
Marty:
Thank you.
I've been fortunate to work with so many talented journalists from across the state.
But being mentioned in the same breath as Ronnie is a compliment.
We all looked up to him.
Neil Rudel will respond to brief questions and comments in Gameday. You can email him at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.