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Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:
Hey, Neil:
So it's fourth-and-long for Purdue from their 3-yard line at the end of the game. They take a timeout.
Why didn't we tell our entire defense to knock down balls deep instead of intercept as we'd take over the ball on the 3 with the turnover of possession?
Game turned out OK but if it was closer, field awareness gives us a chance to punch in another score.
Cindy Miller, Atlanta
Hey, Cindy:
Interesting question.
We were saying the same thing while watching the last couple minutes in the media room.
I can only attempt to justify it this way: The game was over. Jeremiah Cooper made a nice catch, and it was his first interception as a PSU player. He's used to picking off passes -- having intercepted eight at Iowa State -- so maybe he couldn't help himself.
Neil:
Since you recently mentioned Doug Flutie, he was listed at 5-foot-10 although players swore he was closer to 5-8.
One difference from back in the day is smaller D-linemen that might tip the scales at 250 pounds. Today, elite programs roll out 6-3 to 6-5 monsters who weigh 300-plus.
The sheer visual wall today's QBs have to see over is bigger.
Also, I think Flutie was way better at stepping up into gaps, drifting, sliding or changing his release point, whereas Rocco seems to stand firm in the pocket -- that is when he's not being overwhelmed by the defense.
Shorter, gifted QBs can thrive if they're elite scramblers, but if you're trying to execute a dropback passing game behind massive Big Ten lines, well that's what we've been seeing.
John Finegan, Sacramento
John:
Flutie was one of the most remarkable athletes of all time.
Hi, Neil:
A five-game win streak may not mean much to the outside world, but it sure would mean something to the fans and possibly even to prospective players who might be able to play in the Big Ten.
Having said that, I think it's unlikely.
This team has big problems, and it's going to take a while to rebuild. Even winning a few conference games might help get the ball rolling.
Harold Love, Pittsburgh
Hi, Harold:
A five-game win streak would include a win at Washington (not an easy trip) and a home win over Minnesota, which is respectable and plays many teams tough.
It would also prevent Rutgers and Maryland from thinking they're closing the gap.
Hey, Neil:
My friend, Rob Kramer, speculates that Penn State can be looking at a multi-year drought. He compares it to Nebraska. Big Red hasn't had a three-or-fewer-loss season since 2003.
Is Rob correct?
Bruce Valen, St. Paul, Minn.
Hey, Bruce:
The best coaching job at Nebraska since Tom Osborne was done by Frank Solich, who went 58-19 from 1998-2003.
Solich was a Johnstown native, BTW.
P.S. Are you Rob's Kramer's spokesman?
Neil:
I'm beginning to think that Matt Campbell's praise and accolades for Rocco Becht are a bit over the top.
Will Walk, Spring, Texas
Will:
I'm beginning to think the sme thing.
Neil:
I recognized more than half the 65 members of the 1986 national championship team introduced during the Buffalo game.
Yet, I only know four current Penn State starters.
1986 was my freshman year, so that squad is imprinted in my memory. Then again, isn't short-term memory the first to go?
I will always cheer for Penn State, but it's hard to root for a player who could be donning scarlet and gray or another rival's colors next year.
I don't blame the current players for maximizing their compensation, but I sure miss the old times when we witnessed players grow and develop within the program.
Mark Patla, Trappe
Mark:
Well said.
If you listen to the pre-game introductions, there's just polite applause for the players who transferred in compared with the Nittany Lions who started their careers here.
Neil Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.