William F. Yurasko

Penn State 42 MICHIGAN STATE 14

November 23, 2009

I did not have a good feeling going into yesterday’s game, but I picked Penn State to win because David Jones of the Patriot-News picked them to lose. Thanks, Jinxy!

Tight first half with the Penn State offense having trouble getting going. For the bowl game, I just want them to pretend they are starting the second half.
QB Daryll Clark is one of the slowest starters I have ever seen. He just gets too worked up. After he settled down, he could do no wrong, missing on only three of his last twenty passes. His 4 TDs gave him single season and career touchdown pass records for Penn State. He was Big Ten offensive player of the week.
RB Evan Royster had a great first half and not just for his long runs. Some of his 3 yard runs were huge because he eluded Michigan State tacklers in the backfield. Being able to maneuver out of trouble is what sets him apart. He sees the field so well.
OLB Navarro Bowman was a beast, especially in the first quarter. He lived up to his #11. He was named Big Ten defensive player of the week.
OLB Sean Lee also made some critical stops and big hits.
MLB Josh Hull got flagged for an iffy pass-interference call.
LOVE THE DRAKE! WR Curtis Drake has a very promising future ahead of him — maybe he is the next Derrick Williams.
Great job by TE Andrew Quarless fighting for Drake’s TD pass. That turned the game around
WR Graham Zug had another drop, possibility costing Penn State a touchdown, late in the first half. It would be his last as he caught 2 touchdown passes in the second half, stretching out over the goal line for one of them.
FB Joe Suhey caught his first career touchdown pass too, going up high to reel in a Clark pass that was a little off target.
K Collin Wagner needs to improve an awful lot if he wants to keep his job. He missed two field goals, though one was from about 50 yards out.
Another effective day of punting for Jeremy Boone. He pinned MSU back often. He exceeded expectations during his career.
One could get dangerously intoxicated playing a Mike Patrick drinking game. The ESPN play-by-play announcer was often wrong, especially in the first quarter.
QB Kevin Newsome saw spot duty in the second half, at least a series too late. He did score a TD, but did not attempt a pass. Matt McGloin (not Mike!) got in as well for some reason.
No less than three shots of P.J. Maierhofer in the crowd during the second half.
Penn State is ranked #13 in the BCS Standings. I will have more on that situation today or tomorrow.
This was Penn State’s best effort of the season. The Spartans had advantages in the kicking game and typically play tough. That didn’t happen and Penn State really put it together in the second half. Excellent half-time adjustments by the coaching staff.