PSU Recap: Oregon State

Saturday's 45-14 drubbing of Oregon State was everything that a PSU fan could want. The offense dominated, the defense was stellar, and (after the first kickoff went out-of-bounds), the special teams was very good.

From play calling to execution, the win was absolutely positive in every way, except for one thing...linebacker Jerome Hayes tore his acl after a cheap shot block-below-the-waist late in the fourth quarter. Hayes was busy covering a punt when the dirty hit injured his left knee; he will miss the rest of the season. This is the second year in a row that Hayes has had a devastating knee injury. He tore his right acl covering a kickoff against Wisconsin last year and, after rehab, returned this year at 100%. He will be missed.


A few Knits notes from the win...

1. As this writer has said numerous times before, our offensive line could be the best in the country and arguably one of the best in PSU history. For the second straight game the unit has yet to give up a sack, and hasn't done so since the Temple game last November (knock on wood). Compound that with their nasty run blocking and what you have is an O line that the PSU faithful haven't seen since 1994.

2. Evan Royster is amazing. Great instincts, quickness, vision, power, and speed.

3. Yesterday we saw why Daryll Clark is starting this season and should've started last season. He makes good decisions consistently and is a beast running the ball. Nothing against Devlin, but Clark deserves the starting nod.

4. The student section needs to be filled a bit more at kickoff times. Note to students: leave the tailgate 5 minutes earlier. You can easily carry 6 beers and drink them on the way.

5. Navarro Bowman is the best player on our defense right now. He should play every down. With Hayes now done for the year, that wish could come true.

6. Josh Gaines is an unsung dude on defense who should get more recognition.

7. Our defense, however good, needs to play better when the competition gets better. Sure we did well against a potentially dangerous OSU offense, but we'll need to be more consistent once we face the likes of Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Illinois. Good thing is that when Evans and Karoma return we'll play even better than we did yesterday.

8. Busch Light is the best domestic beer that money can buy. Pair it with McClanahan's hoagies, brownies, and beef barbeque sandwiches for a perfect meal.

9. AJ Wallace didn't play much, although he did suit up. The reason could be that the staff wants to rest him for much bigger games in the future. Wallace is currently nursing a tender hamstring.

10. Contrary to what many so-called "fans" think, Joe Paterno is very much with it. All you need to do is listen to the post-game press conference to realize that he's still "in-touch".


Next up: Syracuse



Let's Go State!