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Sunday Sports MailBag

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Nittany Lions fans leave impression I thought it was quite extraordinary when the two marching bands from Penn State and Oregon joined together for the national anthem in Indianapolis during the Big Ten title game. Maybe I haven’t been to enough games, but I never saw that before, and for me it was special. On Sunday at the airport, I chatted with a serious Oregon fan who travels to all their games. He told me that the PSU fans were the best he’s ever seen. The cheering and roaring until the very end really impressed him. I told him to just wait until next year at Beaver ...

Players, not coaches, hold PSU back

Although I’m in general agreement with Neil Rudel’s report card after the Orange Bowl, I really feel for Drew Allar. Yes he did not have a good game, but what effective QB has only a tight end and running backs he can count on, throw to? Not many. And how does it affect his confidence when two to three of his reads/transitions are flat out covered all night, and he has to force just about every pass into a small window? I can only imagine how good he could be with Ohio State, Texas, Alabama receivers. Or our competition. Have you noticed how open their receivers get just ...

Penn State fans show their true colors

As a season ticket holder since 1971, I’ve watched more than 300 games at Beaver Stadium — but I’ve never been prouder of our fans than the day of the recent playoff game with SMU. Four days before Christmas in frigid conditions, 106,000 fans showed up wearing white when many thought the stadium might be half full. Better yet, those of us in attendance were totally focused and dramatically influenced the game outcome. Most of us never sat down and hung around to sing the alma mater when the game ended. The day the sanctions were announced in 2012, I was fearful the Nittany ...

Sportsmanship shouldn’t be compromised

First, as a traditionalist, I was originally skeptical about the 2024 Big Ten conference additions. However, I actually like it. Two of Penn State’s most exciting games and matchups over the last several years have been against USC — the 2018 Rose Bowl and the 2024 game at the LA Coliseum. In addition, playing games in Southern California gives the large Penn State fan base there (including me) a more frequent opportunity to see a game (and tailgate). It also gives Pennsylvanians and PSU fans a nice opportunity to travel someplace warm and fun, other than to another ...

’86 title game stirs fond memories

I just finished reading Neil Rudel’s point-counterpoint column on Penn State’s 1986 national championship win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. I, too, had the pleasure of being in attendance and agree it is my number one memory. I took my father to the game. Being from Pittsburgh, it was only his second Penn State game and would be our last game attended together. I will remember the trip and game always. I remember walking through the parking lot on the way to the stadium prior to the game to see all the T-shirt vendors walking around selling T-shirts that said “Miami ...

Mailbag

Franklin’s formula not working in big games Ahead of this year’s clash with Ohio State, I was optimistic, telling friends this would be the year Penn State finally beats the Buckeyes. I was wrong. One thing is clear: Penn State can’t win big games under James Franklin. Ohio State entered the game as a 3.5-point favorite. Penn State got off to a strong start with a long opening drive for a field goal and a Pick-6 on Ohio State’s first possession and led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Nittany Lions managed only a single field goal in the final three ...