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Neil Rudel's Commentary

Lions do it their way vs Indiana

There have been plenty of Penn State teams – some good, some not — that have gone to Indiana and struggled. In 24 games against the Hoosiers, Penn State has a victory margin of 21.3 points at Beaver Stadium and is 12-0, but in Bloomington, the Nittany Lions are 9-2 but with a victory margin of 7.3. That includes a 3-2 record in the last five trips and a victory margin of 0.8 points. Turns out the venue didn’t matter this time as the Lions left no doubt, running off 38 unanswered points and breezing to a 45-14 win at atmosphere-less Memorial Stadium. “I’m happy with ...

Highs & Lows

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 45-14 victory over Indiana on Saturday at Memorial Stadium: Play of the game: Kaytron Allen took a swing pass, zipped up the left sideline and cut across the field for a 45-yard gain to the Indiana 21 in the third quarter. Offensive player of the game: Allen rushed for 86 yards on 18 carries and scored three touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 72 yards. Defensive player of the game: Linebacker Kobe King led the Lions with eight tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Most ...

Lions will need to make their own energy

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Some nitpicking as the Nittany Lions hit November at 6-2 or probably about one game better than most thought they’d be until they opened 5-0: n Today’s game at Indiana will be Penn State’s first game this season played in a sedate atmosphere. Road games at Purdue, Auburn and Michigan were packed. Memorial Stadium won’t be. Indiana has trouble drawing in good years, and the Hoosiers have lost five straight so the Lions will need to find their energy internally. n This is when team leadership — and coaching — is magnified. ...

PSU point-counterpoint: How should the quarterback situation be handled?

Clifford has lost right to be permanent starter By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com After last Saturday’s 44-31 loss to Ohio State, Sean Clifford lowered his career record vs. OSU and Michigan to 2-6, without a win over the Buckeyes. James Franklin has maintained loyalty to Clifford. After a shaky start at Michigan, which Clifford didn’t finish due to injury (leaving a QB question for the next game against Minnesota), Franklin said, “Sean has earned the right” to be the starter. That isn’t the case anymore. Not after Clifford was intercepted on the Lions’ ...

Upset bid turns (over) to nightmare

UNIVERSITY PARK — The true champion is most dangerous when he sees his own blood. And that’s exactly what happened Saturday afternoon as the Nittany Lions gave No. 2 Ohio State everything it wanted for 51 minutes. The problem is the game lasts 60, and as a result, an encouraging performance and budding upset unraveled into a four-touchdown collapse during a six-minute nightmare. The 44-31 loss came before 108,433 at Beaver Stadium, patrons who have seen it all too often against top-ranked opponents. It extended James Franklin’s streak to 11 straight losses against Top-10 ...

Highs & Lows

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK -— Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 44-31 loss to Ohio State on Saturday: Play of the game: Buckeye defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau sacked Sean Clifford, forcing a fumble that Tuimoloau recovered at the Lions’ 24 with 8:26 left. On the next play, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud hit Cade Stover, who weaved through the Lions’ defense for a 30-21 Buckeye lead. Offensive player of the game: Stroud completed 26-of-33 for 354 yards and a touchdown. Defensive player of the game: Tuimoloau was a monster. ...