UNIVERSITY PARK — James Franklin has a statistical priority list that he recites to the media after each game. They include which team wins the explosive plays, the penalty and turnover battles, drive-start position and now the middle eight minutes (last four of the second quarter and ...
By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 33-14 victory over Central Michigan on Saturday at Beaver Stadium: Play of the game: Central Michigan’s Jordyn Williams fumbled a punt, and Penn State’s Curtis Jacobs recovered at the Chippewas’ 7 early in the third quarter. Two plays later, Sean Clifford hit Brenton Strange for a 3-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 27-14. Offensive player of the game: Clifford completed 23-of-34 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. He was not intercepted. He ...
Penn State will honor its 1982 national championship team at halftime today, and for Mike Zordich, the timing couldn’t be better. Zordich is the defensive backs coach for today’s opponent, Central Michigan. Forty years ago, as a true freshman, the Youngstown native started three games and played in seven — including the Sugar Bowl against Georgia — while contributing solid defense and sure tackling in helping crown the Nittany Lions No. 1 for the first time. “It’s always special to come back to Penn State,” Zordich said earlier this week. Zordich, 58, spent six ...
Auburn series, SEC foe benefit Lions’ program By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com The entire Nittany Nation seemed to love the two-year series with Auburn — the outcomes, the interaction with War Eagle fans and visiting their outstanding venue. Except, that is, the one person whose vote matters most. James Franklin didn’t take long to water down the idea of future relations with not only Auburn but seemingly the entire SEC. Asked after the Lions’ 41-12 domination on Saturday if he’d like to see more home-and-home games “like this” — Auburn had never hosted a ...
James Franklin has seen too many coaches who live their lives in misery regardless of the outcome. That’s why he often says he and the Nittany Lions “are going to enjoy winning.” That was definitely the case Saturday as Penn State went into Auburn and came away with a convincing 41-12 victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The lengthy postgame scene was reminiscent of a season-ending bowl victory in a southern venue with the Blue Band blaring and Nittany Lions’ fans basking in the moment. Franklin circled the field, slapping five with anybody and everybody. The team posed ...
Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 41-12 victory over Auburn on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium: Play of the game: Leading 24-6, Nittany Lion safety Ji’Ayir Brown intercepted Auburn quarterback TJ Finley and returned it 27 yards (plus 15 more on a late hit out of bounds) with 4:14 left in the third quarter. It let out what little air War Eagle had left. Offensive player of the game: Nick Singleton rushed for 124 yards on 10 carries, including two touchdowns of 4 and 54 yards. Defensive player of the game: Brown made five tackles, including a ...
