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Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Official Game 2 Thread: Penn State
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Ted Thompson
9/4/2022 10:27 PM

Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: September 10th, 2022 12:00 PM

Opponent: Penn St. (1-0)

Site: Beaver Stadium

TV: ABC

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free) 

Webcast: None

Penn St. statistics, roster and media guide

Penn St. Fan Site: Nittany Nation    Lions Pride   

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Recovering Journalist
9/5/2022 12:12 PM
I find it hard to get at all excited about these revenue games anymore.

The decade between the two games in Happy Valley shows just how much the NCAA has changed in recent years. Back then, a G5 program could build a team and hang onto talent over the long haul, becoming good enough to win on the road against a good B1G team. Today, G5s are even more disadvantaged than they already were. A stacked deck has become effectively a minor and major league. Now the Durham Bulls play the Yankees for revenue, and it would take a miracle to win.

I was at the game 10 years ago and I won’t even bother watching this year.
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ctb
9/5/2022 12:17 PM
I’m excited to see my Bobcats on ABC, but I don’t have high hopes for a competitive game. But we shall see! I’ll be watching anyway!
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Pataskala
9/5/2022 12:48 PM
Ten years ago we were helped by all the emotion on their side following the Sandusky scandal and Paterno's firing. Everybody knew coming in that the air would go out of the stadium after the first quarter or so, which would give our guys a chance to pull the upset if they just kept it close. And it happened just that way. I'm not sure we could've beaten them a year later or even a week later; that first game was just that emotional for Penn State players and fans.

Truth is, very few G5 teams have ever been able to consistently upset the upper echelon "P" teams, but most G5 teams can still be competitive with middle and lower "P"s. The best we can probably hope for in any year vs the likes of Penn State is to be competitive at least in the first half and see what happens after that. Cash the check and keep the injuries to a minimum.
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Cellis033
9/5/2022 1:43 PM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
Ten years ago we were helped by all the emotion on their side following the Sandusky scandal and Paterno's firing. Everybody knew coming in that the air would go out of the stadium after the first quarter or so, which would give our guys a chance to pull the upset if they just kept it close. And it happened just that way. I'm not sure we could've beaten them a year later or even a week later; that first game was just that emotional for Penn State players and fans.

Truth is, very few G5 teams have ever been able to consistently upset the upper echelon "P" teams, but most G5 teams can still be competitive with middle and lower "P"s. The best we can probably hope for in any year vs the likes of Penn State is to be competitive at least in the first half and see what happens after that. Cash the check and keep the injuries to a minimum.
I remember seeing the news reports that rainy morning in 2012 when they took down the Paterno statue in front of Beaver Stadium. Was only an 11 year old Ohio State fan then, but it's clear they are still distancing themselves from him and understandably so (Go to hell Sandusky)

Now on Saturday, this sounds terribly optimistic, but if we find a way to keep up our offense attack from last Saturday and pressure Clifford defensively, I think we can stay with them.
Last Edited: 9/5/2022 1:46:26 PM by Cellis033
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BryanHall
9/5/2022 1:50 PM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
Ten years ago we were helped by all the emotion on their side following the Sandusky scandal and Paterno's firing. Everybody knew coming in that the air would go out of the stadium after the first quarter or so, which would give our guys a chance to pull the upset if they just kept it close. And it happened just that way. I'm not sure we could've beaten them a year later or even a week later; that first game was just that emotional for Penn State players and fans.

Truth is, very few G5 teams have ever been able to consistently upset the upper echelon "P" teams, but most G5 teams can still be competitive with middle and lower "P"s. The best we can probably hope for in any year vs the likes of Penn State is to be competitive at least in the first half and see what happens after that. Cash the check and keep the injuries to a minimum.
I'm not sure I totally agree with this sentiment. That PSU team hung in there after a rough start and played well in the Big Ten. The players on that team showed a lot of character that season. That Bobcat team before injuries was the best team we ever had. The Cats line dominated that game and ground them down like they were a MAC team in the fourth quarter.

You are definitely right about G5 teams against teams like Penn State. You just hope you get them during the right year because it is difficult to match up with these teams when they are stacked with talent. I was disappointed that the 2011 Bobcats didn't get to play the Fickel-led Buckeyes. Toledo almost beat them that year and I believe the Cats were slightly more talented than the Rockets.
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BobcatLackey2017
9/5/2022 3:29 PM
Good buddy of mine was a captain on the Penn State team in 2012. We were talking about that game a while back and he said, “Yeah that was a tough one. We were still finding our stride after the Sandusky scandal. Good Ohio team, but play us 6 games into the season and it’s a blowout.” I tend to agree with that especially how quickly we went downhill from Halloween on. Tett took one good hit to the ribs and started playing scared.

In regards to next week, a part of me thinks it’s going to look like child abuse and another part thinks we can at least keep it competitive. I think what really is working against us is that Allen Rudolph is a pretty lousy coach who can’t recruit so we are going to get hammered at the line.
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Trevor Stephens
9/5/2022 4:33 PM
Penn State Game Notes: https://gopsusports.com/news/2022/9/5/football-game-notes...

Ohio Game Notes: https://ohiobobcats.com/documents/2022/9/6/ohio_fb_091022...

Ohio Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db2z3iSx3ks

Penn State Press Conference: https://gopsusports.com/watch/?Live=1508&type=Live
Last Edited: 9/6/2022 7:40:32 PM by Trevor Stephens
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Pataskala
9/5/2022 5:14 PM
One thing we might have going for us is that they play at Auburn next week, so this could be a bit of a trap game for them. Being an under-the-radar team sometimes has its benefits.
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OhioCatFan
9/5/2022 5:59 PM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
One thing we might have going for us is that they play at Auburn next week, so this could be a bit of a trap game for them. Being an under-the-radar team sometimes has its benefits.
That occurred to me as well. Maybe they'll be running a "plain vanilla" offensive. That can come home to bit you.
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Ted Thompson
9/5/2022 6:50 PM

 

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Mike Johnson
9/5/2022 8:16 PM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
Ten years ago we were helped by all the emotion on their side following the Sandusky scandal and Paterno's firing. Everybody knew coming in that the air would go out of the stadium after the first quarter or so, which would give our guys a chance to pull the upset if they just kept it close. And it happened just that way. I'm not sure we could've beaten them a year later or even a week later; that first game was just that emotional for Penn State players and fans.

Truth is, very few G5 teams have ever been able to consistently upset the upper echelon "P" teams, but most G5 teams can still be competitive with middle and lower "P"s. The best we can probably hope for in any year vs the likes of Penn State is to be competitive at least in the first half and see what happens after that. Cash the check and keep the injuries to a minimum.
I'm not saying you're wrong about "all the emotion on their side." But then as now my take differs from yours. That game was Ohio's season opener. It was Penn State's second game, and if I am recalling correctly, they lost that opener to Virginia. The scandal notwithstanding, I expected the Lions to be roaring when they took the field against the Bobcats.

At first the Lions showed bite, moving out to a 14-0 lead. Then it was as though the Bobcats pulled hard on a switch. For the remainder of the game I saw both Ohio's defense and offense playing to - and perhaps beyond - their potential.

After Ohio scored late to go up 24-14 - a memorable drive - the game effectively ended with an Ohio linebacker making a diving interception.

All in all, the outcome seemed anything but a fluke that could be ascribed to "all the emotion on their side."
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AlumDadDad
9/5/2022 8:34 PM
I think Coach Albin has been working on his presser skills. It's still him, but I understood everything he said and he seemed to answer the questions that he wanted to answer, and went coach speak when he didn't. Given where he started, a marked improvement, IMO.
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rpbobcat
9/6/2022 6:51 AM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
One thing we might have going for us is that they play at Auburn next week, so this could be a bit of a trap game for them. Being an under-the-radar team sometimes has its benefits.
This game will also be PSU's Home Opener.

That will add emotion.

I also think that, even though it was a few years ago, PSU will be looking
for "payback".
Last Edited: 9/6/2022 9:53:17 AM by rpbobcat
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brucecuth
9/6/2022 7:20 AM
Best line out there is Ohio +25, total 53.5
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Andrew Ruck
9/6/2022 9:19 AM
I'll be happy if we beat that line. And I feel like I would definitely take the over. I don't see our defense being able to force many punts but feel like our offense can move the chains a bit against them.
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Pataskala
9/6/2022 12:41 PM
FWIW, Penn St would be ranked 27th in both the AP and the Coaches' polls.

Grain of salt: Iowa would be 30th in the Coaches' Poll, even though the Hawkeyes couldn't score a TD in their 7-3 win over South Dakota St.
Last Edited: 9/6/2022 2:53:13 PM by Pataskala
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RPKirtland
9/6/2022 1:29 PM
I'm flying out from San Francisco on Friday, I'll see some of you at the game! First bobcat game in person for me in about 6 years.
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Pete Chouteau
9/6/2022 2:50 PM
Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more
Ten years ago we were helped by all the emotion on their side following the Sandusky scandal and Paterno's firing. Everybody knew coming in that the air would go out of the stadium after the first quarter or so, which would give our guys a chance to pull the upset if they just kept it close. And it happened just that way. I'm not sure we could've beaten them a year later or even a week later; that first game was just that emotional for Penn State players and fans.

Truth is, very few G5 teams have ever been able to consistently upset the upper echelon "P" teams, but most G5 teams can still be competitive with middle and lower "P"s. The best we can probably hope for in any year vs the likes of Penn State is to be competitive at least in the first half and see what happens after that. Cash the check and keep the injuries to a minimum.
I'm not saying you're wrong about "all the emotion on their side." But then as now my take differs from yours. That game was Ohio's season opener. It was Penn State's second game, and if I am recalling correctly, they lost that opener to Virginia. The scandal notwithstanding, I expected the Lions to be roaring when they took the field against the Bobcats.

At first the Lions showed bite, moving out to a 14-0 lead. Then it was as though the Bobcats pulled hard on a switch. For the remainder of the game I saw both Ohio's defense and offense playing to - and perhaps beyond - their potential.

After Ohio scored late to go up 24-14 - a memorable drive - the game effectively ended with an Ohio linebacker making a diving interception.

All in all, the outcome seemed anything but a fluke that could be ascribed to "all the emotion on their side."
Penn State lost to UVa in week 2. We were BO'Bs first game.
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Pataskala
9/6/2022 3:07 PM
Pete Chouteau wrote:expand_more
Ten years ago we were helped by all the emotion on their side following the Sandusky scandal and Paterno's firing. Everybody knew coming in that the air would go out of the stadium after the first quarter or so, which would give our guys a chance to pull the upset if they just kept it close. And it happened just that way. I'm not sure we could've beaten them a year later or even a week later; that first game was just that emotional for Penn State players and fans.

Truth is, very few G5 teams have ever been able to consistently upset the upper echelon "P" teams, but most G5 teams can still be competitive with middle and lower "P"s. The best we can probably hope for in any year vs the likes of Penn State is to be competitive at least in the first half and see what happens after that. Cash the check and keep the injuries to a minimum.
I'm not saying you're wrong about "all the emotion on their side." But then as now my take differs from yours. That game was Ohio's season opener. It was Penn State's second game, and if I am recalling correctly, they lost that opener to Virginia. The scandal notwithstanding, I expected the Lions to be roaring when they took the field against the Bobcats.

At first the Lions showed bite, moving out to a 14-0 lead. Then it was as though the Bobcats pulled hard on a switch. For the remainder of the game I saw both Ohio's defense and offense playing to - and perhaps beyond - their potential.

After Ohio scored late to go up 24-14 - a memorable drive - the game effectively ended with an Ohio linebacker making a diving interception.

All in all, the outcome seemed anything but a fluke that could be ascribed to "all the emotion on their side."
Penn State lost to UVa in week 2. We were BO'Bs first game.
I'm not saying it was a fluke. Our guys earned the win. But they had to game plan for the amount of emotion that they expected to be on the Penn State side that day. TJ Carrie mentioned it in his talk to some of the players the night before (he was injured and couldn't play but gave a helluva talk to his teammates; it may still be on Youtube somewhere) and Solich also talked about it before the game. They knew that if they could stay close until PSU's anticipated letdown hit, they'd have a chance to win. Ordinarily if a G5 team gets down 14 early at Penn State it's game over, but you could feel the air come out of the PSU fans and team in the 2nd quarter, and that's when Ohio took control.
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L.C.
9/6/2022 4:13 PM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
I'll be happy if we beat that line. And I feel like I would definitely take the over. I don't see our defense being able to force many punts but feel like our offense can move the chains a bit against them.

My goal for the game is that the defense will gel further in this game. They played poorly in the first few drives against FAU, but improved after that. FAU did score some points in the Fourth Quarter, but that was more a credit to the FAU offense than a defensive failing (as opposed to the "gimmee" TD when no one covered an FAU receiver). I wold also like to see the offense move the ball at times against Penn State.
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Deciduous Forest Cat
9/6/2022 4:22 PM
L.C. wrote:expand_more
I'll be happy if we beat that line. And I feel like I would definitely take the over. I don't see our defense being able to force many punts but feel like our offense can move the chains a bit against them.

My goal for the game is that the defense will gel further in this game. They played poorly in the first few drives against FAU, but improved after that. FAU did score some points in the Fourth Quarter, but that was more a credit to the FAU offense than a defensive failing (as opposed to the "gimmee" TD when no one covered an FAU receiver). I wold also like to see the offense move the ball at times against Penn State.
It was also due to some special teams failings. There are things we could easily clean up that should lead to drastic improvements. I wish we saw a better return game, but the kickoff ending at the 1 and the punt return to the 2 that followed were very costly.

I don't know that we can win even with a mostly mistake free game, but I'd be thrilled if we improve in those obvious areas and make a respectable showing.
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L.C.
9/6/2022 6:55 PM
Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more
...I don't know that we can win even with a mostly mistake free game, but I'd be thrilled if we improve in those obvious areas and make a respectable showing.

+1
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RufusCat09
9/6/2022 7:10 PM
Doesn't appear anything changed on the offensive side from the 2-deep in the game notes, although on the defensive side of things each position goes 4-6 deep LOL

Interesting to see pretty much the full defensive depth chart.
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SVAC83
9/6/2022 7:41 PM
i think ohio may cover in this game. To me Penn state is probably going to focus on getting their run game going. so i got a feeling that penn state is going to not put up big numbers. and their defense needs a little work. maybe something like 31-10
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