In the last 4 years the lowest we have been ranked is #29 in the nation. The best we have been ranked is #1 in the nation which was last year. Last year we only gave up 70.69 yards a games. The highest average during those 4 years was 117.33 yards per game. I don't expect us to be #1 again but I do expect us to be in the top 30.
We've also been tied for #10 in the nation last year in sacks and we were #1 in the nation 2 years ago. Part of the reason we have such nice numbers on the rushing defense because they take the yards from sacks away from the rushing offense. We may slip a little this year but I still expect us to be in the top 20.
We tend to go for very fast maneuverable players on the ends so when we blitz, and we do it with quite some frequency, they get to the QB very quickly.
While there is not much chatter here, I think this topic is a good one. I expect Penn State to need a lot from the running game, especially early in the year. We (PSU) have an unknown at QB, but what I hope is a solid O line. I also think we have the potential to have great RB's. The WR's have the chance to be great, but they have had that potential for a few years now, and it has yet to pan out (if that is the QB or the WR's fault is open to discussion). I'll admit I don't know a huge amount about the Beavers, but you have some well written posts on your threads, and I'm starting to learn. I'm looking forward to this match up.
Our running back situation is looking extremely good. We have 3 RB that could be stars. Ryan McCants who is currently penciled in as our starting RB was good enough last year to start as a true freshman but Coach Riley decided to redshirt him. He only averaged 3.54 yards a carry during our spring game but we have a relatively new OL and we had mutilple injuries to key offensive linemen. Plus he was going up against a solid defensive line. We won't be #1 in the run defense but I expect that we shouldn't go lower than #30. With all that against him 3.54 yards a carry looks good.
We have a JC transfer in Jeremy Francis who during spring practice was looking extremely good. So much so that there is talk that he could potential start ahead of Ryan McCants. Unfortunately he got injuried but will be back in time for fall practice if not earlier. The pluses with Francis is that he can block and catch the pass and is more of a finess runner. Ryan McCants is more of a power runner.
Lastly we have JaQuizz Rodgers coming in as a true freshman. If I were Coach Riley I would try and redshirt JaQuizz Rodgers but I don't think he is coming to OSU to sit out a year. He broke a number of rushing records in the state of Texas for high school players but he wasn't heavily recruited because of his 5' 6" size. He is probably good enough to start as a freshman. You can check him out on youtube.
We have had alot of success with shorter RB's notably Ken Simonton and Yvenson Bernard. Both 1000+ yard rushers and both are in the top 10 rushers in the PAC-10.
The biggest question is our OL. If we get that under control we will have an awesome year.
I like what I think is going to be the PSU run game. I think Evan Royster will end up with the starting slot. He was the 3rd back last year until Scott left the team. I thought he looked good when he played behind Kinlaw. He ended up with over 500 yards, and I'm pretty sure he averaged over 6 yards a carry. Brent Carter is the other RB. I don't know him that well, but he is getting some good press. Both Carter and Royster are Soph's.
We also have a QB issue. It looks like senior Daryll Clark will start. He is a Michael Robinson type QB. He had some plays in the Alamo Bowl, and looked good in option/running situations. He really did not throw much, and has not got a whole lot of playing time at State. The other QB is Pat Devlin, who is a more traditional drop back passer, although I believe I read that he is more mobile than last years QB (Morelli) was. Devlin has a lot of fans.
It should be interesting, especially if the Beavers run D is a good as some of the posts on this board think they are going to be.
Lastly we have JaQuizz Rodgers coming in as a true freshman. If I were Coach Riley I would try and redshirt JaQuizz Rodgers but I don't think he is coming to OSU to sit out a year. He broke a number of rushing records in the state of Texas for high school players but he wasn't heavily recruited because of his 5' 6" size. He is probably good enough to start as a freshman. You can check him out on youtube
Just to update he is 5'7 and 185 to 190 range now. By the time he gets in school and on a college level strength program for a year this guy is going to be pushing 200. Think Maurice Jones-Drew type.
BTW OSUBeavs6 where did you see him on youtube? Gotta link?
This is the only vids ive seen on line besides the www.chron.com news reports. His highlight video 1 on rivals is top notch.
Hail, Havoc, I don't think I've run into your posts before. Am curious if you really think our QB situation is an "issue", as in up-in-the-air, or if you were just introducing Clark and Devlin? I know the old adage: "Two QBs = no QB." but there have been several situations over the last few years that make that less true. Depending upon the type of offense State uses, I can see Devlin or Clark easily making it happen -- subject to the health of the O-line, of course. I am so wildly optimistic that I can see BOTH Devlin and Clark on the field at the same time -- and maybe even Cianciolo there, too!
Shout-out to the Beavs! Looking forward to a good game between your OSU and PSU. Being in North Carolina, I hope it is televised.
> >Hail, Havoc, I don't think I've run into your posts before
I've just started posting on CBS in the last couple of months. I've spent most of my time on baseball and hockey boards.
As for your two QB question, I think you make a valid point. I personally do not like two QB situations. I agree with you that there have been some successful ones in the near past, but over all I think it usually causes problems. I'll be much more comfortable if the Nittany Lions name a starter and stick with it. I'm a little wary of a couple of situations in Happy Valley, QB being one. However, even having said that, I really think this could be a good year, but the team has a lot to prove.
So you came here because...? You care? Envious? Socially repressed? You flamers are actually starting to make teams like ours feel more important than you obviously believe they are, so thank you for the ego boost, but our self esteem was already pretty top notch without it.
I'll check the SEC team boards and see if my life gets happier and I'll let you know, just in case you aren't a flamer and really are trying to do some kind of sociology experiment. If that is the case then you might want to either take better notes in your statistical analysis courses, or take a starter course in that field. Plus, please let me know if I you want me to qualify my happiness...like if your experiment is tracking if people are just becoming a little more happier, much happier (as your hypothesis implies), or insane, commit me in an institution now happy.
Don't knock the little guy. Jaquizz may be small, but Ken Simonton was 5'8" 190 his senior year. Rodgers is only 18 and still growing. He may be little, but big things come in little packages, and that package will grow, even before the season starts. My biggest concern for this coming season is whether Canfield or Moevao will be able to put something together. I feel like we have recievers, but we don't have a passer. They both showed signs of bringing it together last year, but just as each hit a groove they were injured. I would not like to see a committee approach to QB. We need to pick one and stick with him.
