Kneejerk: Week 10, Penn State

Now THAT’S what I’m talking about, Bucks!

I’m not sure if anyone noticed, but I never really gave a prediction as to how the game would end today. I simply gave a list of what I wanted to see. I thought the teams were so evenly matched that, even with a loss, if some progress was made, I’d still kind of sort of be ok. (Maybe?) I just needed to see the team continue to improve. We saw them beat up on Minnesota and New Mexico State, but wanted to see them put in a solid effort against a good defense.

Well, we certainly saw that today with a dominating 24-7 win in Happy Valley. It’s pretty. It’s so, so pretty!

I said the trenches (lines) would decide this game, and that’s what happened. Ohio State’s offensive and defensive line owned Penn State. That was the difference. I expected pwnage from the Dline, but the Oline manned up and shut everyone up!

IN A NUTSHELL…

• My fave stat of the game? 0 turnovers.
• Sacking Daryll Clark on PSU’s first offensive play of the game was awesome. I’m sure that pumped the entire team up!
• I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Ohio State’s defense is amazing! It’s easy to see why they lead the country in forced 3-and-outs.
• Loved all the decisions TP made today. He played smart and made quick decisions. That was key to the team’s victory.
• Hearing TP say, postgame, that he was hurting yet still played very well should make everyone excited; not just for the remainder of the season, but for his 2 remaining seasons. I think the light has gone on for him.
• I’m not going to lie. I was beyond frustrated with the playcalling in the 1st half. Running on 1st and 2nd down was not putting the offense in a position to succeed. While the running game was indeed effective, the specific run plays called needed more variety.
• It was nice to see an OSU kicker make a clutch field goal. It’s a shame Tressel didn’t let him try that kick early in the 1st quarter. Couldn’t have ended up worse than the penalty/punt/touchback.
• Ray Small was great today. He and special teams really got the team going.
• Daryll Clark did not score a TD. I don’t care what anyone says. This was a shutout.
• Cam Heyward was beastly today. I hope he comes back next year…
• Chimdi Checkwa was great today. Did his receiver ever catch a pass?
• Still a little disappointed that Jordan Hall didn’t play much today. Thought he earned more carries than in garbage time.
• I’m glad the staff finally decided to let TP throw because we had receivers running free all day.
• Once Tress opened it up, we saw the future of this offense and I loved it!
• It was almost bizarro world in College Football this week. Bring on Iowa. I was confident in that game even before they lost and Stanzi was hurt. Our Dline was going to smother whomever was back there taking snaps.
• I’m not even mad at Mike Brewster for his throat slash towards the crowd penalty. Heard the fans were nasty and cussing at the team all game.
• The PSU fan the cameras kept zooming in on was classic. Nice shirt, ass.
• I smell roses. That is all.

TP’s final stats:
Passing: 8/17 for 125 yards and 2 TDs, No INTs
Rushing: 5 carries for 50 yds

PARTING SHOT:

• Kneejerk: Week 4, Eastern Michigan
• Kneejerk: Week 11, Penn State
• Pregame Postage: Week 10, Penn State
• Kneejerk: Week 4, Illinois
• Kneejerk: Week 7, Purdue