We should have seen this coming.
The Penn State football team saw its dream of a perfect season unravel on Saturday night at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes, 21-10, before 109,000-plus at Beaver Stadium.
In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll take a look back at the ugly loss to the Hawkeyes, look ahead to Illinois and celebrate the return of the non-rev roundup.
Looking Back: Hawkeyes Pierce Lions
As the capacity crowd made its way out of Beaver Stadium on Saturday night, fans had a look on their faces that said, “How in the world did that just happen?”
That’s a good question.
After all, this game had been circled on Penn State’s calendar since last November, when Daniel Murray’s 31-yard field goal dashed the Nittany Lions dreams of an undefeated season with a 24-23 Hawkeye win at Iowa City. The Nittany Lions and their fans had the revenge factor on their side. Add to that a nationally-televised audience and a stadium-wide Whiteout and there was no way the Lions could lose this one, right?
Wrong.
Daryll Clark threw three interceptions against the Hawkeyes.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
So here are the top five things that contributed to PSU’s shocking loss:
1. Offensive woes — After an early 79-yard touchdown pass from Daryll Clark to Chaz Powell, the Lions did little the remainder of the evening. Clark was certainly part of the problem on Saturday, tossing three interceptions. Remember, however, that two of those passes were catchable balls that went off the hands of intended receivers. Clark is also working behind an offensive line that, quite simply, is not very good. Center Stefen Wisniewski is a good anchor in the middle, but the rest of the makeshift line is struggling to jell. It’s tough for your QB to have a good game when he’s running for his life. That being said, Clark stunk the joint up on Saturday night. A performance like that can’t happen again during the Big Ten campaign.
2. Bradley’s Boys — Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley has to take part of the blame for the loss, too. His defense did a poor job of tackling. And while it created a couple of turnovers, it didn’t get nearly enough pressure on Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi. There were times when it simply needed a stop to get off the field and couldn’t do it. When the Hawkeyes began to come back from the 10-0 deficit, it was pretty clear that they weren’t Akron, Syracuse or Temple, which brings us to point No. 3. …
3. Non-con disaster — The three early non-conference games did not prepare the Lions for the Big Ten schedule. Akron, Syracuse and Temple are bottom feeders and came to Happy Valley just for the payday. Penn State got its wins and forced its fans to sit through those dreadful games, but it inflated the Nittany Lions’ record and ranking. There was no way that PSU was the fifth-best team in the nation, but a 3-0 record shot the Lions into the top five. We should have known trouble was coming when the Lions were not able to KO any of those first three opponents. Sure the wins were lopsided, but PSU never dominated in those games.
4. Captain Kirk — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is one of the most underrated coaches in the Big Ten, and he proves it every time his Hawkeyes play Penn State. He’s won seven of the last eight against Penn State. Does he have more talent? No. Does he know how to gameplan? Yes. Imagine if he weren’t coaching in Iowa City. Imagine if he were coaching in a place where it was easy to recruit. Imagine if he were coaching in, oh, I don’t know … Happy Valley?
5. JoePa — I realize that Joe Paterno is a coaching icon, but he struggles in big games. Yes, the Nittany Lions have had some wonderful seasons as of late (2005, 2008) but when the lights shine the brightest, Paterno struggles to motivate his squad. Saturday night’s debacle is the most recent evidence. It’s been 23 years since Happy Valley celebrated a national championship and it’s hard to imagine that happening again while Paterno is at the helm.
Joe Paterno has struggled coaching in the big game recently.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Looking ahead: Illinois
The Fighting Illini (1-2) are coming off an embarrassing 30-0 pasting at the hands of Ohio State. They are smarting as the Nittany Lions come to town.
It’s the first road trip of the year for PSU, and it might actually do the Nits some good to get away from Happy Valley. Of course, the Lions will have to contain Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn, both of whom have scorched the Lions before.
The last time the Lions visited Memorial Stadium, they came away 27-20 losers because QB Anthony Morelli tossed three picks and fumbled. Clark is coming off his worst game as a starter, so he will need little motivation.
At 3-1, PSU needs this one. If the Lions don’t get this one, it’s going to be a long season.
Gantdaily.com prediction: Penn State 28, Illinois 20.
Non-rev roundup: Men’s Soccer
The Penn State men’s soccer team snapped out of a three-game losing skid by stunning No. 22 Michigan, 2-0, at Jeffrey Field on Sunday. The win came after two losses and a tie over the last three games.
Penn State is now 5-3-1 overall.
Nittany Lion sophomore Corey Hertzog nailed the game winner in the 53rd minute when senior forward Jason Yeisley centered a pass that Hertzog collected and buried in the back of the net.
Yeisley also scored for the Nittany Lions with a tally in the 80th minute when he headed in a ball off a Frank Costigliola corner kick. That pushed PSU’s lead to 2-0.
Sophomore keeper Warren Gross notched his fourth shutout of the year.
Chris Morelli is the award-winning editor of Blue White Illustrated, a weekly publication devoted to Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Sports Central,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com. This column does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of BWI’s writers or publisher.
