#25 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Youngstown State Penguins
After losing last week, the Lions should bounce back this week. I don’t think anyone I know is going to this game, myself included.
LAST WEEK
The Nittany Lions got blown out buy Subway Alumni State, 41-17. Recap.
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT: YOUNGSTOWN STATE PENGUINS
This week is the second game of the 2006 I-76 series (which also includes Akron and Temple). You could also say that it is the second game of the 2006 battle for I-80 supremacy, since Penn State, Notre Dame, and Youngstown State are all near I-80. Yes, I try to relate everything to a highway corridor.
Youngstown State is a Division I-AA school that Penn State grabbed when La. Tech backed out of their contracted game. The last time Penn State played a I-AA school was 1984. If there is ever a good time to have a I-AA game it would have to be between road trips to South Bend and Columbus.
Famous Youngstown State alumni: Ron Jaworski, Jim Tressel (coach), Chilly Willy, and Jim Traficant!
NEW RANKING
25th — Considering what happened in South Bend last Saturday, Penn State is lucky to be ranked at all. I’m not worried about it though, these things work out in the end.
PRESS CONFERENCE RECAP
Joe Paterno Press Conference Transcript – Intercollegiate Athletics
Penn State-Youngstown State Game Notes
IMPORTANT ARTICLES
The big topic this week is not a fake quarterback controversey, but what wrong with Paul Posluszny. He denies that his knee or the brace on it is the culprit. He believes his move to the middle is the reason for his subpar play. I remain unconvinced, I think he is a step or two slower. Hopefully, he is right and I am wrong. He admits he has not played up to his own standards.
BEANO WATCH
Carroll H. Cook (’54 Pitt) had very little to say about the Nittany Lions this week. No gloating though, just a joke I have heard previously.
Mark (Kalmazoo): Beano, can U-M harass QB Brady Quinn into a bad game on Saturday? Your prediction?
SportsNation Beano Cook: (3:07 PM ET ) The answer is no. I have an explanation why Penn State played so poorly against Notre Dame…the Nittany Lions were looking ahead to Youngstown State. hey, Jim Tressel used to coach there. By the way, Quinn has never passed for 200 yards against Michigan in three prior meetings, though one was as a freshman and he did not play much.
I still think it is a funny joke.
Jim (Hughsville, PA): Was Notre Dame’s fake punt with a 27-3 lead late in the 3rd quarter unsportsmanlike?
SportsNation Beano Cook: (3:29 PM ET ) Put it this way… you can say yes or no. You can argue it was and you can argue it wasn’t.
I cannot get worked up about that decision by Notre Dame. It is up to Penn State to stop it, but if it motivates them next year, that works too.
TELEVISION
The contest is being televised nationally on ESPNU at 3:30 p.m. Since I will be attending my cousin Suzanne’s wedding down the Shore, I will not be seeing it live. If someone would be kind enough to tape it for me, please let me know.
MORE COVERAGE
PREDICTIONS
Penn State in a rout, anything less is cause for serious concern. Let’s say 41-10.
IN CLOSING
Go STATE, beat Penguins! (sounds familiar!)