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Neil Rudel's Commentary

What is your biggest concern vs. Notre Dame?

Carter’s injury, stopping Fighting Irish run game By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Through 15 games — that’s crazy, right? — I think Penn State’s offense has shown enough versatility to be able to score through the air or on the ground. With the Nittany Lions one win from an unlikely appearance in the national championship game, I’m a little more concerned about the defense, especially with Abdul Carter’s status being questionable. At James Franklin’s most recent weekend availability — he’s scheduled to meet the media again tonight in Fort Lauderdale ...

Penn State-ND: Stakes can’t be higher

Some post-Fiesta Bowl/pre-Orange Bowl notes awaiting the star-studded final four: n Thursday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal between Penn State and Notre Dame will break a tie in the series currently tied at 9-9-1. And what a reward the winner will get: A berth in the national championship game on Monday, Jan. 20 vs. the Ohio State-Texas winner. The matchup is especially meaningful in our region as, in addition to being in the heart of Penn State country, Notre Dame, with a local Catholic school in Bishop Guilfoyle Academy, has always boasted a strong following here ...

Nittany Lions handle their ‘business’

GLENDALE, Ariz. — During the Fiesta Bowl lead up, James Franklin mentioned that his family was enjoying the hospitality here and said his wife and daughters were taking a hot-air balloon ride. He wasn’t going. “This is a business trip,” Franklin said. “I told our guys this ...

Keep an eye on Boise St. special teams

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Some pre-game notes as Penn State attempts to ring in 2025 with a win over Boise State: When the bowl matchups were announced, the Broncos got the Nittany Lions’ attention early on with their 37-34 loss to Oregon in Eugene. Penn State had trouble matching the Ducks’ speed and couldn’t get a handle on their explosive passing game. Boise, meanwhile, might well have won the game had it not collapsed on special teams as the Broncos allowed a punt return and kickoff return for a touchdown. The Lions have spent extra time on the Boise film ...

Dawkins’ leadership in spotlight

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — One of the reasons Penn State has advanced this deep into the College Football Playoff is because the Nittany Lions have outstanding team leadership. And one of their best leaders is senior center Nick Dawkins. It’s a role he’s been accustomed to from a young ...

Warren’s emergence establishes standard for TEs

When Tyler Warren announced after last year’s Peach Bowl that he’d be returning for the 2024 season, it was good news and an important piece for the Nittany Lions’ offense. But no one could have anticipated that Warren would become a record-setting, generational player at the tight end position who would be in the Heisman Trophy conversation (he finished seventh) throughout the season. Warren made 34 catches last year while splitting opportunities with future NFL draft pick Theo Johnson. This season, he made 92 catches for 1095 yards — both PSU season records for a tight ...