I asked the questions this week:

1.) Please elaborate on whether you come away from the Purdue game
encouraged or discouraged about the Nittany Lions?

With the exception of the kickoff coverage, I’m encouraged by the Nittany Lions victory. They overcame a typical sluggish start, didn’t panic and kept Purdue out of the endzone the rest of the game. Yes, it did take a minor miracle from Sean Lee (fumble at the goal line) but after that Penn State did what it had to do to win. The play calling was quite good too. They also benefited from some mental lapses by Purdue and some poor officiating.

2.) Who was a better linebacker at this point in their junior seasons, Sean Lee, Dan Connor or Paul Posluszny?

This is a tough one because you can’t go wrong with any of them. I would have to give it to Posluszny though, he was more dominant and scared more people than Lee or Connor. Posluszny simply had the complete all-around package too.

3.) How much of a fight do you expect Temple to put up since this their
biggest home game in forever-and-a-day? Does Temple (3-6) have a shot at winning? Are you going to be at the game in Philadelphia?

I expect Temple to put up quite a fight in the first half; they will be going hard on every play and playing with focus. I don’t see them being in awe of the Nittany Lions and they should be extra motivated since their coach, Al Golden, is a former Penn Stater. That being said, I full expect Penn State to win by at least two touchdowns simply because of superior athletes and depth. Temple will be gassed by the third quarter and Penn State will break away then. The only way Temple can win is if Penn State turns the ball over a lot, a possibility, particularly with bad weather.

I’ll be at the game in section 105, having apparently overpaid for tickets months ago. That’s okay because the game is closer to where I live than State College; up and down I-95 and no Port Matilda or Lewistown Narrows! I may finally crash visit the 2theLion tailgate too. By the way, if you don’t have tickets, there may still be some available.

Lightning round

Are you a fan of the Patriot-News sportswriter videos?

I really enjoy watching Bob Flounders playing the straightman to Dave Jones. When Nick Horvath, Jr. replaces Jones, the energy level goes way down though.

Which basketball team will have a better season, the men or the women?

I think the men will hae a better year, just because Rene Portland left the cubbard kind of bare.

Do you wear a Penn State jersey to games? If so, what number and why?

I wear a blue #11 for home games and white #12 on the road. I’ve always liked #11 and was pleased when LaVar Arrington made #11 a hot jersey. My jersey is a Russell Athletic with tackle twill numbers bought for me from Lion’s Pride for Christmas in 1999 (thanks Mom & Dad!). I bought my #12 in summer 2001 for about $10 on the clearance rack at UBC, along with a blue #12 and #20 (which my wife wore until I bought her a woman’s cut #31). I would like a white #11.

Prior to those jerseys, I wore blue #14 (my Todd Blackledge jersey) and white #43. I really shouldn’t wear numbers higher than #19 though, because they are too big on me.

Check out how the the others answered the questions:

Black Shoe Diaries
Run Up the Score!
The Nittany Line
There is No Name on My Jersey
The Nittany Notebook