PSU point-counter: Franklin’s game management hurts Lions (Rudel)

November 16, 2023

This week’s topic is easy. Penn State’s biggest problem is at the top of the totem pole: James Franklin. I said last week the Michigan game was not a must-win for Franklin, and in terms of keeping his job, it wasn’t. Here’s hoping Penn State would never suffer from the complete loss of perspective that has inflicted Texas A&M, which is buying out $76 million of Jimbo Fisher’s contract. Franklin is signed through 2031, and whether he makes it that long — either by his choice, or eventually, Penn State’s — is another subject. But he’s the answer to today’s ...

Frustration continues vs the big boys

November 13, 2023

UNIVERSITY PARK ­— This was an eerily-similar rerun of the Ohio State game. The Nittany Lions mustered almost nothing offensively against the Buckeyes, and that was exactly the case on an otherwise glorious football Saturday as they lost to Michigan, 24-15, at Beaver Stadium. So Penn ...

Nittany Lions pass their pre-Michigan test

November 6, 2023

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Penn State standout offensive tackle Olu Fashanu didn’t think it was a coincidence that the Nittany Lions played their best offensive game of the season Saturday in destroying Maryland, 51-15. “November is the month of champions,” Fashanu said. “This game is a ...

Here’s Maryland’s chance to create a rivalry

November 4, 2023

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Penn State has billed itself as “unrivaled” since it has no true rival in the Big Ten and no protected rivals with future conference schedules. In announcing the 2024 schedule on Thursday, which includes the Terrapins as Penn State’s regular-season finale, the Big Ten Network suggested the teams could become rivals because they share important recruiting turf. Maryland, of course, would like nothing better than to claim the Lions as their top rival. Same with Rutgers as PSU is the biggest game on the Scarlet Knights’ schedule, ...

Franklin must practice showing vs telling

October 28, 2023

Of all the things that were difficult to fathom from Penn State’s performance against Ohio State and its aftermath, I found this admission from James Franklin to stand alone. During his Tuesday press conference, the last question Franklin took was about his own accountability when the team loses a big game, especially in an era of raising money for program needs and keeping fan engagement high. His answer was both honest and intriguing. He said, “Yeah, if I did not do that (after OSU game), I think you just created an opportunity for me to do that, which I appreciate. Ultimately, ...

Lions’ offensive showing is cryin’ shame

October 23, 2023

Drew Allar didn’t try to hide his emotions. The Nittany Lions’ quarterback was in tears following Penn State’s 20-12 loss to Ohio State on Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium. Allar was well aware that he and the offense were almost entirely responsible for the outcome. He didn’t ...