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Neil Rudel's Commentary

Will the expanded playoff field help Penn Sate become an elite program?

Not unless Nittany Lions can beat OSU, Michigan By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com OK, first off, to explain the wording of the question: James Franklin started it. Quick background: Following a gut-wrenching 27-26 loss to the Buckeyes in 2018 at Beaver Stadium — Ohio State’s second-straight one-point win (39-38) in the series — Franklin used his post-game forum to outline the difference between great and elite programs. He said the Lions “are a great program” and pledged to narrow that gap to become “elite.” In the emotional, raw moments of a tough loss ...

Nittany Lions right ship with ‘complete game’

UNIVERSITY PARK — What a difference a week — and an opponent — can make. If last week’s drubbing at Michigan was Penn State at its worst, Saturday night’s turnaround and 45-17 victory over Minnesota at Beaver Stadium showed the Nittany Lions at their best. Sustained blocking ...

Highs & Lows

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 45-17 victory over Minnesota on Saturday night at Beaver Stadium: Play of the game: Hit as he threw, Sean Clifford lofted a 35-yard pass into the end zone that Parker Washington high-pointed, outscrapping Minnesota’s Terrell Smith. The touchdown gave the Lions a 24-10 lead with 11:59 remaining in the third quarter. Offensive player of the game: Clifford completed 23-of-31 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted once. Defensive player of ...

As Nits regroup, team leadership magnified

Some nitpicking as the Nittany Lions attempt to regroup from their whooping at Michigan: n Tonight is a referendum on the team’s leadership — James Franklin’s ability to regroup the troops emotionally and especially on the defensive side of the ball. Minnesota is a run-first team, featuring Mo Ibrahim, and even more so with starting quarterback Tanner Morgan (concussion) questionable. N Most figured defensive coordinator Manny Diaz would only be at Penn State for one season and then move on to another head-coaching job. But if the Lions don’t shore up their run defense tonight ...

PSU point-counterpoint: Who should start at quarterback this weekend?

At least vs. Minnesota, here’s a vote for Allar By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com I say Drew Allar. Sean Clifford was injured enough at Michigan last week that he didn’t finish the game — a 41-17 rout. Many have clamored for Allar to replace Clifford, who has not played well in three straight games and endured difficult stretches in others (Purdue, Ohio U). Clifford hasn’t played poorly; he just hasn’t played all that well — which exemplifies his body of work over his long career. Since leading PSU to an 8-0 start way back in 2019, ...

Stats don’t lie: Lions trampled

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — James Franklin apologized for a tardier-than-usual arrival to the post-game press conference Saturday. He said he first wanted to see the statistics. They were even worse than what he watched unfold as Michigan rushed for 418 yards — the third-highest total ever against a Penn State team — and bludgeoned the Nittany Lions, 41-17, before 110,812 at Michigan Stadium. “I’m not happy with that number,” he said. “At all.” Penn State was manhandled on both sides of the line of scrimmage as unbeaten Michigan (7-0) rolled up 563 total yards, ...