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Neil Rudel's Commentary

PSU point-counter: Franklin’s game management hurts Lions (Rudel)

This week’s topic is easy. Penn State’s biggest problem is at the top of the totem pole: James Franklin. I said last week the Michigan game was not a must-win for Franklin, and in terms of keeping his job, it wasn’t. Here’s hoping Penn State would never suffer from the complete loss of perspective that has inflicted Texas A&M, which is buying out $76 million of Jimbo Fisher’s contract. Franklin is signed through 2031, and whether he makes it that long — either by his choice, or eventually, Penn State’s — is another subject. But he’s the answer to today’s ...

Frustration continues vs the big boys

UNIVERSITY PARK ­— This was an eerily-similar rerun of the Ohio State game. The Nittany Lions mustered almost nothing offensively against the Buckeyes, and that was exactly the case on an otherwise glorious football Saturday as they lost to Michigan, 24-15, at Beaver Stadium. So Penn ...

Lions’ King believes team will take the next step

In the midst of the Big Ten’s discipline on Michigan’s sign-stealing scheme with its horrific timing, there’s a Top-10 football game in the way this afternoon. And for the No. 2 Wolverines (9-0) and No. 9 Nittany Lions (8-1), it just happens to be the biggest game of the year to this ...

Nittany Lions pass their pre-Michigan test

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Penn State standout offensive tackle Olu Fashanu didn’t think it was a coincidence that the Nittany Lions played their best offensive game of the season Saturday in destroying Maryland, 51-15. “November is the month of champions,” Fashanu said. “This game is a ...

Rudel’s Maryland Highs and Lows

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 51-15 victory over Maryland on Saturday at SECU Stadium: Play of the game: On fourth-and-1 from the Maryland 45 on the Terps’ first series, Curtis Jacobs and Jaylen Reed combined to dump Corey Dyches for a 1-yard loss, setting an immediate tone. Offensive player of the game: Drew Allar completed 25-of-34 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns. He was not intercepted. Defensive player of the game: Abdul Carter led the Lions with six tackles, including a sack. He also broke up a pass. Most telling ...

Here’s Maryland’s chance to create a rivalry

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Penn State has billed itself as “unrivaled” since it has no true rival in the Big Ten and no protected rivals with future conference schedules. In announcing the 2024 schedule on Thursday, which includes the Terrapins as Penn State’s regular-season finale, the Big Ten Network suggested the teams could become rivals because they share important recruiting turf. Maryland, of course, would like nothing better than to claim the Lions as their top rival. Same with Rutgers as PSU is the biggest game on the Scarlet Knights’ schedule, ...