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Lions’ ground game hitting historic lows

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Some nitpicking as the Nittany Lions attempt to keep the season at disappointing, rather than disastrous, today: n Penn State’s lack of a run game is reaching historic proportions. The Lions have currently rushed for 1,067 yards — an average of 106.7 per game— and are on pace to finish with about 1,400 The school record for fewest rushing yards in a season is 1,317 in 2001. The Lions have not had a back rush for 100 yards in a game this year. Keyvone Lee leads the team with 375 yards. There have been occasions when a revolving-door ...

Questions about Franklin have overshadowed 2021

What is the most disappointing aspect of the Lions’ season? There are a lot of choices —all low-hanging fruit — for this topic. The lack of a run game has been a year-long issue. The absence of a competent offensive line, once a program staple, remains a huge issue. And the inability to field or develop a serviceable backup quarterback is the difference between a 6-4 and an 8-2 record. But, to me, without question, the biggest disappointment this year has been the job James Franklin has done. The No. 1 question on the minds of most Nittany Lion followers has concerned ...

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, ...

Fake FG exposes Franklin

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK — James Franklin has many excellent qualities. He’s a strong communicator, leader and an accomplished recruiter in addition to being a terrific representative of Penn State and college football. But when you get to the day of the game and need spontaneous in-game strategy, well, let’s just say it’s not his strong suit. Whether it’s not calling timeout when he should, or bizarre calls with the game on the line, there have been too many head-scratching situations that have contributed to Penn State sinking into the state ...

In Michigan, Lions face ‘benchmark’

Since Penn State joined the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions were always going to be judged on how they did against their two perceived peers — Ohio State and Michigan. And while their 29-year experience has seen other programs rise and have success, Wisconsin and Michigan State, Iowa and occasionally Northwestern or Minnesota, there’s only three places that seat 100,000-plus and can boast national championships over the past 40 years. That’s one reason why James Franklin pulled back the curtain a bit in response to a thoughtful question from StateCollege.com’s Ben Jones the other ...

Ammo shortages could affect hunters

The statewide bear season opens next Saturday, followed by the beginning of the regular deer season the weekend after that. Each of these ranks among the most popular events for many Pennsylvania hunters each year. Having worked in the sporting goods business for many years in my younger days, I well remember lots of busy days in November as hunters lined up to buy every piece of gear imaginable in preparation for the upcoming hunting season, from a pair of gloves to a new rifle or scope. Although I somewhat enjoyed being part of the fray back then, I can’t say I miss those hectic ...