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Cory Giger

PSU point-counterpoint: What were you most impressed with in the season opener for Penn State?

The Nittany Lions can feel good about many aspects of their performance at Purdue. Quarterback play (save Sean Clifford’s bad interception), the debuts of Mitchell Tinsley and Barney Amor, Joey Porter Jr. having one of the better statistical games of a Penn State cornerback ever (six breakups, eight solo tackles, fumble recovery) and Penn State’s fourth-quarter defense were all quite impressive. But I’m going to take the Lions’ short-yardage offense. How many times have we seen Penn State stuffed on third- and fourth-and-short over the last few seasons? You’re right: ...

MiLB union could come at a cost

By Cory Giger sports@altoonamirror.com We need to talk about the future of minor league baseball and future of the Altoona Curve, because we soon could enter an era of unprecedented uncertainty regarding both. I don’t want to sound like an alarmist here, but Curve fans need to be aware of what is happening right now in the minor leagues and the possible ways it could impact Altoona’s fantastic Double-A franchise. If you’ve been paying attention in recent days, you may be aware that the Major League Baseball Players Association is trying to unionize minor league players. ...

Introducing a game of ‘Don’t catch me if you can’

By Cory Giger sports@altoonamirror.com One of the cool things about baseball is that frequently you’ll see something new or at least something worth discussing or debating when you go to a game. One such situation occurred during the Curve’s home game last Saturday against Somerset. It involved whether or not an outfielder should have caught a foul ball and let a runner tag from third to score — which is what happened — or let the ball drop foul on purpose to try and keep the score right where it was at. “That’s a really good question,” Curve manager Kieran Mattison ...

Yurcich’s offense has been a massive disappointment

What is the most disappointing aspect of the Lions’ season? I can make a strong case that offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich should be fired after this season. You don’t even really have to make a case, in all honesty. Penn State’s offense has been a massive disappointment, and I’ll pin most of it on Yurcich. Just to be clear, Yurcich will NOT be fired. There’s zero chance of that, actually, and it’s not necessarily because of his coaching. It’s because of his recruiting. Prized prospect and Penn State commit Drew Allar, the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the nation, ...

When it comes to value, Pry is the top guy at PSU

Who is Penn State’s MVP (Most Valuable Person) so far this season? By Cory Giger For the Mirror The wording of this question is very important. It’s not most important player. That’s quarterback Sean Clifford, obviously, because we’ve seen why he’s really the most important player to his team’s success in all of college football. It’s not most valuable player, which I generally deem as the best player. That’s Jahan Dotson, who might be the best wide receiver in Penn State history. We’re asking about the most important person in the PSU program this season, ...

PSU point-counterpoint: What is your best bowl game scenario?

Neil is right. Now, I don’t always like to say that because, well, I don’t want him to get overconfident. But yes, a Penn State vs. Pitt matchup in a bowl game somewhere would be awesome. I would love to watch Kenny Pickett square off against the Penn State defense. But there’s another quarterback I wouldn’t mind seeing Penn State play — probably in the Outback Bowl — and that’s Will Levis from Kentucky. Personally, I just want to talk to him during the pregame interviews and ask him how in the world he can eat a banana with the peel still on, as well as put mayonnaise ...