Time for Lions to start looking ahead

November 28, 2020

Since Penn State has never been 0-5, there’s no reference point in how the Nittany Lions handled that adversity. The closest stretch of futility was the early 2000s when the Lions managed four losing seasons in five years. Joe Paterno wanted a chance to bring the program back and kept insisting the program was just a couple players away, and he turned out to be right as the addition of speedsters and decorated recruits Derrick Williams and Justin King were difference makers. They sparked a resurgence that produced an 11-1 record and No. 3 ranking in 2005, which was followed by a ...

Sports hangs by thread of the almighty dollar

November 28, 2020

The games will go on, hanging by the thread of the almighty dollar. Even as the coronavirus rages out of control over wide swaths of the country, and some facets of society are beginning to shut down again in hopes of stemming the deadly tide, there are no plans to shutter sports like they did back in March. Too much money is at stake. Everyone is all-in on this utterly joyless pursuit. But it’s easy to see why so many have tuned out these made-for-TV games. The contests being played in largely empty stadiums and arenas, devoid of any atmosphere or excitement. The ...

SFU, Krimmel worthy of praise after huge win over Pitt program

November 27, 2020

Saint Francis beat Pitt. I never thought I would write those words. So I’ll write them again. Saint Francis beat Pitt. It wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a crazy finish. It was a dominant performance from start to finish by the Red Flash, who beat Pitt, 80-70, ...

Wasn’t easy, but fall sports hit finish line

November 25, 2020

Remarkably, the fall scholastic sports season in the area has been completed. Unlike years past when certain team or individual accolades stood out, just getting to the finish line is the accomplishment that will be most remembered. Throughout the summer, it was unclear whether local student athletes would even get to start a season, and finishing it and actually completing state playoffs seemed impossible. But with the PIAA football championships set to wrap up this weekend, unfortunately without any representation from District 5 or 6, everyone made it. There were certainly ...

O-line at head of Nits’ problems

November 23, 2020

UNIVERSITY PARK — If you can’t make a yard, you don’t deserve to win. That old football axiom was on full display Saturday as Penn State’s 41-21 loss to Iowa was unfolding. With the Nittany Lions down 10-7 in the second quarter, they faced third-and-1 at their 49. Did they go ...

PSU has lots to think about when benching a QB

November 20, 2020

To answer this week’s question: Absolutely. Much as coaches want to treat players the same, regardless of position, it just doesn’t, and can’t, work that way. Quarterback is the most important position on the team — one of the most important positions in all of sports. Coaches alternate receivers, even using them as messengers with the plays. Running backs shuffle in and out. Penn State has been subbing in different offensive linemen in a (terminal) search of the best five and the right combination. Defensive substitution can be liberal as rushing the passer is ...