PSU Recap: Temple

PSU routed Temple on Saturday 45-3 to improve to 4-0 on the season. The win was a final tune-up for Saturday night's Big Ten opener against Illinois. When that game arrives, the competition and the stakes raise exponentially. But, that's not for another 6 days, so let's take a look at yesterday's game, shall we? Good, here goes...

Overall review: With sloppy play, turnovers, and a general sluggishness, it took the nation's 4th highest scoring offense one quarter to get it together. Yet, after that, it was business as usual. The Nittany Lion offense scored 31 points in the second quarter on its way to amassing 546 yards of total offense. Yet, it was the Lion defense that was the most powerful unit from start to finish on Saturday, knocking out starting Owl QB Adam DiMichelle 5 plays into the game, registering 7 sacks, and limiting the Temple offense to only 138 total yards. Beside the offensive 1st quarter slumber and sloppiness, there was only one other glaring concern from this game: our kickoff coverage unit. A problem last year, it roared its head again, giving up way too much return yardage to an average Temple team. That needs to be rectified, again. Here's to hoping we got all that nonsense out of our system before it could really hurt. All in all, however, it was a good win.

A closer look:

1. Thus far, PSU has outscored its opponents 211-40.

2. If there were any doubt who the best linebacker, if not player, on our defense is, it's Navarro Bowman. Making his first start this year, Bowman was an absolute MONSTER, and his stat line was like something out of Tecmo Bowl...11 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception (which was 1 yard away from paydirt). Bowman is only a redshirt sophomore, and is already scary-good. The next great PSU linebacker. Recognize.

3. Aaron Maybin is also a monster. He was virtually unblockable all day.

4. Our student section better have been saving their energy and voices for Saturday night.

5. Stephfon Green is starting to heat up. That was a great TD run.

6. Our O line is good.

7. The Temple cheerleaders were tough to look at.

8. I'm starting to get very concerned about MLB Josh Hull. He just doesn't seem to show up enough, and often gets blown out of the play. We're gonna need much more from our middle linebacker starting in 6 days.

9. Mark Rubin is, and always has been, a liability on defense. Sure, the guy is athletic, but that doesn't translate into a successful Big Ten safety. The past 15 games say so. We might as well just put 10 guys out there on defense. or, here's a thought...PLAY DREW ASTORINO INSTEAD!

10. With every passing game, I'm starting to truly believe that this could be Joe Paterno's last season coaching our beloved Nittany Lions. Get your Michigan State tickets now. And give me one.

On Thursday: THOAD's PSU/Illinois Preview

Let's Go State!