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Neil Rudel's Commentary

Rudel’s highs and lows — Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 28-13 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium. Play of the game: Facing third-and-14 from the Badgers’ 8, Wisconsin’s Braedyn Locke threw over the middle and was intercepted by PSU safety Jaylen Reed, who returned it 19 yards for a touchdown with 6:29 left in the third quarter to give the Nittany Lions a 14-10 lead. Offensive player of the game: Beau Pribula entered after halftime for an injured Drew Allar and completed 11-of-13 for 98 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed ...

Nittany Lions cannot get trapped in Madison

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Tonight is a trap game if there ever was one and will be a test of the Nittany Lions’ maturity. Wisconsin (5-2) lacks a signature win, but anyone who has ever been to Madison knows Camp Randall can get rocking if the Badgers are playing well and the visiting team is not. And especially at night. UW has shaken off a tough September — one-sided losses to Alabama and USC — and has gained momentum with three straight wins (Purdue, Rutgers, Northwestern). Penn State is 6-0, ranked No. 3 and has its game of the year, vs. Ohio State, looming ...

What team do you want Penn State to meet in the playoffs?

CFP perfect place to match Lions with oldest rival — Pitt By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com This is a fun topic, and I’ll make it more fun by saying Pitt. Sunday, Dec. 8, the day the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket is announced, will be historic as the first of its kind, and it will be particularly meaningful around here. Penn State fans have not been able to circle Selection Sunday in the annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament symbolizing March Madness as must-watch TV. Football is and will be different, starting this year. The Nittany Lions are off ...

Nittany Lions show their mettle in the clutch

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Throughout the past decade, against the biggest brands in college football, Penn State has had more come-from-ahead losses than come-from-behind wins. That changed Saturday as the Nittany Lions repeatedly rallied back and defeated USC in overtime, 33-30, at the Los Angeles Colesium. The victory improved Penn State to 6-0 on the season and elevated them to No. 3 in the Associated Press poll. The Lions got off to yet another slow start, falling behind 14-3, 17-6 and 20-6 in the first half and 23-20 and 30-23 in the fourth quarter before tying ...

Beating USC would be win to brag about

Gameday Saturday: Penn State at USC,3:30 p.m. The line: Penn State by 4.5-points TV: CBS Radio: WRKY-FM 104.9 By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com James Franklin typically begins his post-game press conferences with some items he feels good about. After last week’s win over UCLA, it didn’t take him long to remind us the Nittany Lions are 5-0 for the fourth straight year, that “we’re the only school in the country to start 5-0 in each of the last four years,” and added it’s the first time that’s happened in Penn State history. It could be construed as ...

PSU Point/Counterpoint: Are college football polls still relevant?

Here’s the Twitter answer to this week’s question: OMG, no. When they first began in the 1930s, the Associated Press (writers) and United Press International (coaches) polls served a purpose and helped build interest and got people talking and debating about college football. As the sport went decades without a true playoff system, the polls were a way to sustain the status quo and crown a mythical national championship. Repeat: Mythical. Penn State, in particular, paid a price. The Nittany Lions had four undefeated teams that fell short of being voted No. 1 in the final ...