FOOTBALL

Penn State v indiana; 2thelion Tailgate!

2009-11-12T10:37:00.002-05:00

Per the tailgate email...

Hello Sports Fans,

We have our final home Penn State football game this week - and our final tailgate of the season. The Lions host the indiana hoosiers on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - kick off is at 12pm (EST). The game will be aired on the Big Ten Network.

The hoosiers wear crimson and cream (ie, red and white) - so check the piping and stitching on your outerwear - sometimes those little horses are red...

The current forecast is: cloudy with a high of 52.

Our theme this week is Italian - we'll be serving Italian beef sandwiches, a lovely antepasta tray, and an assortment of snacks and sweets.

Parking lots open at 7am. We'll be tailgating in the general admission section of lot 13 - email or call if you need directions. We'll be flying our PSU flag along with the Quebec Flag (I asked, and, apparently, of those available, the Quebec flag would, most likely, be the least offensive to the Italian community).

We'll be tailgating before and after the game - all are welcome - Contributions are appreciated but not necessary -

Check back here or visit our Facebook page for any last minute details/information.

To the Lion!

Penn State at michigan state game time announced.

2009-11-09T11:18:00.003-05:00

Penn State will travel out to east lansing for their final game of the 2009 regular season - the Saturday, November 21st kick off is scheduled for 3:30pm (EST). The match-up against the spartans will be aired (regionally) on ABC/ESPN.

Penn State v. indiana 2009; another noon kickoff.

2009-11-02T13:24:00.002-05:00

They've announced the start time for the Lions' final home game of 2009 - 12pm. The match up between the Nittany Lions and the hoosiers will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

...btw, Temple is bowl eligible. Seriously.

PENN STATE v tosu - Too Country Tailgate.

2009-10-28T15:38:00.004-04:00

The "Too Country Tailgate" and Penn State tosu game are upon us!!!

If you haven't RSVP'd to the evite - please be sure to give one of the "planners" a call - they'll let you know what you can bring and we can plan for you!

We're in the midst of preparing a splendiferous spread - including chili, nacho bar, corn bread, chili cups, kielbasa, blueberry cheesecake bars, pecan pie bars, tex-mex spiced brownies, baked potato dip, cowboy potatoes, stuffin muffins, sausage tortellini soup, fried food a-go-go and so, so, so much more.

ALSO we will again be collecting Toys for Tots donations for the Centre County Toys for Tots!

Hope to see you there!

Penn State Tailgating - PENN STATE v tosu; Go West!

2009-10-22T17:18:00.004-04:00

In just 2 short weeks Penn State will welcome terrelle pryor and the ohio state buckeyes to our little slice of hillbilly heaven. In honor of this we'll be hosting a "Too Country" western themed tailgate.

Check out the details on evite and/or check back here for more information - I'll be posting something as soon as I figure out these here internets.

We're planning to have another Toys for Tots pledge drive at this tailgate (weather and organizational skills permitting).

I'm a grinnin.

Food for Thought; ESPN commentary on the state of tailgating.

2009-10-21T14:40:00.002-04:00

Oh, please don't give the PtB any ideas...

The assault on tailgating. You can take my ticket, but you can't take away my tailgate!

It's that special time of year; Penn State at michigan.

2009-10-20T15:54:00.003-04:00

The Lions are traveling out to ann arbor this weekend to face off against the michigan wolverines. Kick off is at 3:30pm (EST), and the game will be televised on ABC (ESPN).

Check out GoPSUsports.com for game notes and other information.

btw, did you notice this?

Tailgate in a Winter Wonderland; Penn State v minnesota

2009-10-16T10:42:00.006-04:00

...in the meadow we can build a snowman, and pretend that he's Coach Joe Pa. He'll say can you run fast; we'll say no sir, but we still can play dback that's for sure...

Okay minnesota - you lose your balloon-boy dome and now you think it's okay to bring your crazy lake-effect weather to Central Pennsylvania? in October?

Fine. We'll all be fine.

And, barring some really serious travel problems or university edicts, we'll all still be tailgating.

Please use all of your cold and rainy tailgating tricks to stay warm and dry - and safe.

Matt Millen's gonna be there...

Photo from CentreDaily.com

Homecoming Pep Rally Relocated; Penn State v minnesota.

2009-10-15T16:01:00.002-04:00

The pep rally following the parade on Friday (which is a go - no matter what the weather) has, per the homecoming committee, been relocated to the Hub.

PEP RALLY: CHANGE OF LOCATION

The Homecoming 2009 PEP RALLY location has been moved to ALUMNI HALL in the HUB. The Pep Rally will start directly after the Parade and there will be free food!!

I'm Coming Home; Blue White Roundtable - Penn State v minnesota.

2009-10-14T10:26:00.006-04:00

Thanks (again) to Kevin (Penn State Clips) and WFY for putting together some questions for this week's roundtable. The rest of us were too busy pomping (I pomp, you pomp, she pomps, we pomp) the Roundtable Float...

First up, Kevin's questions...

How does Penn State stop the Minnesota offense (a/k/a Eric Decker)?

Pressure on the quarterback will be key. If they can't get the ball to Decker, then he can't catch it (hopefully) - of course the kid has a passing TD under his belt and a qb rating of 244 - so maybe he can. minne has scored at least 20 points in all of their games this season - and PSU has been burned by passing games much less proficient - the front line is going to have to be dominant and the linebackers are going to have to step up their coverage in the middle.

The gophers have a good kicker - he hasn't really be tested with a lot of long kicks - but he's been very accurate in the mid-range (feel free to continue your distaste for golden gopher kickers). If they get into the redzone - they'll probably come away with (at least) 3 pts.

Is Minnesota's defense as awful as their statistical rankings make it look?

minne's losses have been (relatively) close matches - and their d has created/made scores. But they gave up 21 pts (as the result of 3 long drives) to wiscy in the 2nd half of that loss - and Cal ran all over them in their other loss.

We'll have to see how Penn State comes out against this team - they've looked "better" since the 2nd half of the (non-directional) illinois game - hopefully it continues.

Mid-point of the season, which of the PSU freshmen do you project as future stars?

Sean Stanley, DT, has shown great promise; Devon Smith is a cute little sprite - and very quick; and of course, I have high hopes for our Mr. Newsome.

Next, William's quick fire challenge:

Where were you when Minnesota got lucky because Penn State did not put them away at Homecoming '99?

In the stands, cursing Joe for punting on the 35. But I was in a car, listening to the game on the radio and driving downtown to go the Phyrst the year that Penn State stole the game away from the gophers - that was a great day.

Will Minnesota open with an on-side kick?

You know, that play just infuriates me - I hope they do and I hope that Penn State covers and returns the ball into the endzone. That's what I hope.

What is your best homecoming memory (that you can say in this forum at least :p)?

I have a lot of great memories from homecoming. My best memory while in school was walking in the Parade - the theme of our group's float was "Dr. Seuss" and my character was the little girl (Sally) from The Cat in the Hat - I was so excited to actually be in the parade. My best memory out of school was last year's award winning tailgate. Honorable mentions: The "four time NCAA champion" adventure; Egyptian theme float with Asp madhatter; and, beating tosu 63-14.

PENN STATE v. minnesota; Homecoming Tailgate.

2009-10-12T16:16:00.002-04:00

It's Homecoming 2009.

Penn State takes the field against the golden gophers of minnesota at 3:30pm (EST) on Saturday, and we will be returning to the cow fields to tailgate!

This year we are not competing in the Alumni Tailgating Competition this year (good luck to all that are). After our BIG win last year, we decided to take a year (or so) off to (give everyone else a chance) to rest.

HOWEVER, we WILL be tailgating - we'll be back in our old-standby (favorite) lot 13 for this game.The 3:30pm kickoff means that the parking lots will open at 8am. Be on the look out for our Scottish and Penn State Flags. Email or RSVP on Facebook if you need further contact information.

This week's theme is "Pub Food" - there will be beef - and beers - and maybe even a box of wine.

The gopher faithful wear gear of burgundy and gold - not too much of a challenge - just wear blue and white ;)

The current forecast is cloudy and cold (High of 45!) - so wear a lot of blue and white!

We'll be tailgating before and after the game - as always, all are welcome. Contributions are appreciated but not necessary. Check back here for any last minute details/information.

Homecoming - 2009; PENN STATE vs. minnesota.

2009-10-12T16:07:00.003-04:00

minnesota - oh minnesota.

It's Penn State Homecoming Week! and the Lions are ready (I hope) to do battle with the ever pesky golden gophers of minnesota.

On Friday, the Homecoming Parade begins at 6pm - followed by the pep rally and King/Queen coronation on Old Main Lawn.

Kickoff on Saturday is at 3:30pm (EST) - the game will be televised on ABC (regionally, ESPN everywhere else).

Check out PSU's homecoming site for more Homecoming events!

How Tweet it is; um game at 3:30.

2009-10-12T11:17:00.002-04:00

Per http://twitter.com/BigTenScott on Twitter:

Big Ten TV schedule for Oct. 24 - late games are PSU-MICH at 3:30 ET on ABC and IOWA-MSU at 7 ET on BTN

Blue White Roundtable - Penn State vs eastern illinois.

2009-10-08T09:34:00.006-04:00

Oooh, thanks to WFY for putting together some questions for this week's Roundtable. Most folks are blah about this week's matchup against eastern illinois - me? I can't wait!

1 - Penn State played its most complete game of the season thus far against Illinois. What pleased you the most about the performance?

By complete, I assume that you mean "balanced" (ie run/pass - offense/defense) - because the offense did not look good in the first half - not good at all.

All that said, the thing that pleased me the most about the game was the improvement in the offensive line. Certainly, the illinois defense wasn't/isn't the toughest squad - but it was as if something "clicked" with the team - and the scoreboard reflected it.

2 - Has your outlook on the season changed dramatically compared to this time last week? What about before the Iowa game?

It's still pretty much the same for me. I hope that Penn State gets to a bowl game and I hope that they win the rest of their games. However, after iowa, I just didn't see how it was possible that Penn State would be able to compete with their Big Ten opponents - and through much of the (aforementioned) first half of the illinois game, nothing was changing my skepticism. However, the team really played well in the second half of that game - It was a joy to watch - which was pretty much the first time I felt that way this season.

3 - Eastern Illinois actually looks like a decent I-AA err FCS team, having been in that division's top 25 this season. How long can they stay in it with Penn State?

Ack. PSU has to "show up" for this game - I'm hopeful that PSU gains an early lead and that certain players are able to rest/nurse their injuries - but I am sure that the panthers are going to be ready - and I think that eiu will be pesky for the first half.

Lightning round

Will the scoreboard be fixed by Saturday? Some panels blew off in the wind on Wednesday.

I hope so.

Anybody having luck selling their Eastern Illinois tickets at face value?

I know people who did - Me, I'll be at the game.

What is your favorite college football blog that isn't about Penn State?

hmmm. I'd have had an easy answer a few years ago. Ah heck, I can't think of anyone else.

Check out some of the other Roundtablers:

WFY
Zombie Nation (Kernkraft)
Nittany WhiteOut
HHV
The Nittany Line

LET'S GO STATE!

Our Sports State is the best Sports State; P'burgh and Philly Top Sports Towns.

2009-10-07T17:10:00.002-04:00

... according to a ranking of sports towns by The Sporting News...

And State College is in the top 50!

JORDAN NORWOOD IS AN EAGLE!!!; Bleed Green interview with Jordan Norwood.

2009-10-06T10:07:00.002-04:00

Bleed Green has interviewed one of the Eagles' newest practice squad members, our own Jordan Norwood!

GO STATE BEAT THE PANTHERS! Penn State vs. Eastern Illinois.

2009-10-05T17:25:00.002-04:00

Okay, so maybe it's not those Panthers.

There is a lot of bellyaching across the internets regarding PSU's opponent this week - and yes, I am 100% against the scheduling of FCS teams, but - Tim Curley chose not to give me a call when settling the schedule for '09, so there's not too much I (we) can do about it now.

One should never underestimate any opponent - especially one that starts a former iowa hawkeye at quarterback - however, I am hopeful that PSU is able to use this week to heal some of the injuries that the players have amassed in the early part of the season - and that they have a chance to further "jell" as a team.

The Eastern Illinois Panthers wear uniforms of blue and gray - so do your best to wear blue and white.

Kick off is at 12:00pm - so the parking lots will open at 7am. The game will be televised on ESPN Classics.

The current forecast is "windy and partly sunny - high of 60F" - great - wind, my favorite.

Roundtable Round up; ill eye in eye edition.

2009-10-02T09:33:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Penn State Clips' Trader Kevin for putting together this week's Roundup.

Blue White Roundtable - Penn State vs illini

2009-09-30T09:22:00.006-04:00

Kevin from PennStateClips.com furnished the questions this week...

1) The BCS Championship Game dream is dead, but Penn State can still go to the Rose Bowl (at least in theory). What's your best guess about our final record and bowl destination?

Maybe I'm too superstitious for this roundtable stuff - I just don't like to make predictions about players or scores or wins. I grew up in a house where the televisions (and occupants) were routinely "shhed" for jinxing the player, game and/or team. I grew up with countless football rules - about clothing, etiquette, sportsmanship, routine, ritual, and jinxing - I've spent years trying to recover - but the one that really has stuck is the jinxing.

All that said, I think that this upcoming game will be a true measure of what this team is going to do with the rest of the season. It's a new crew of kids - they have to set their own mark on the program - be it good or bad. If they come out of Champaign with a win, I'm hopeful that they will end the season near the top of the conference and the polls.

2) Illinois beat I-AA Illinois state, but sandwiched it with losses to Mizzou (37-9 in St. Louis) and at Ohio State (30-0). They have, by far, the worst pass offense in the Big Ten and their pass defense stinks as well. They put little pressure on the quarterback (1.3 sacks per game) and they do a lousy job in protecting the passer (3.33 sacks per game). In short, the Illini stink. Who rights the ship on Saturday, PSU or Illinois? Discuss.

No one has really said anything about this, but I really think that much of Darryl Clarks woes Saturday night began after the iowa defense got to his head, literally. At the end a designed run play, Clark was hit hard, in the head. I can't help but wonder if it didn't, at least, get him "thinking" - which is one of the worst things a quarterback can do. By the end of the game it was obvious that he was pushing, and being pushed - trying to make something happen. it was a tough loss for everyone - but how Clark reacts will be telling.

illinois is either going to come into this game rabid or defeated - both can be dangerous for a team that isn't prepared.

3) The Nittany Lions are 2-8 this decade in Big Ten openers and 3-6 in Big Ten road openers. (Obviously there's some overlap there.) The two wins in Big Ten openers were during the championship years of 2005 and 2008. What's the problem?

Wow. good question. My guess is that scheduling has much to do with this. Leaving out the dark years, PSU's opening B10 losses have been to iowa, tosu and um. Those 3 tend to beat PSU regardless of where the match up comes on the schedule. I'd say that the problem that needs to be solved isn't so much being ready for the B10 - but being ready to play and defeat the top teams in the conference.

4) Last week's blocked punt for an Iowa touchdown was the turning point in the game. Twice this decade a kickoff return touchdown has been critical in an Illinois victory over Penn State and the way things are going it could happen again Saturday. What's the problem with Penn State's "special" teams? Poor coaching? Lack of a dedicated special teams coach? Not getting our best athletes on the field?

This is always a concern - so years more than others - this year, so far, it's been a big concern - having Stupar (on the sideline) on the starting defense has left a gap in our kick coverage. And they need to find (play) a kid who can kick the ball into the endzone (or at least close) - it's just not acceptable to have returners catching the ball on the 10 with 20 yards of open field in front of them.

On the other hand - I think that Penn State needs to work on their own return game just as much - the coaches don't seem to know who to play. They just need to get better.

Quick Hitters...

The line is Penn State -7. Cover or no? look at me. I'm gonna say yes.

Are you going to the game? no.

True or false: Chief Illiniwek was retired as the Illinois mascot after protests by members by the Illiniwek tribe? False.

Will Chicago be awarded the 2016 Olympics on Friday? my guess is no. But then I thought Paris was a shoe in for 2012.

More Penn State Football Game Times Announced.

2009-09-28T13:47:00.005-04:00

October 3rd game at illinois will start at 3:30pm (EST), and will air on ABC.

October 10th game against eastern illinois kicks off at 12 noon (EST), and will air on ESPN Classic.

October 17th game against minnesota (Homecoming) will start at 3:30pm (EST), and will air on ABC

October 31st game at northwestern kicks off at 4:30pm (EST), and will air on the ESPN family of networks

It was an awesome tailgate.

2009-09-28T10:51:00.003-04:00

Which helps a little. And that's something.

We had a wonderful time - for our rainy day (all day) tailgate.

This was our 7th annual Oktoberfest - and I have to say - it was some of the best food. Pork and sauerkraut, beer brats with grilled vegetables, kielbasa (polish and tofurky!), homemade mustard, german potato salad, shrimp antepasta salad, peachy Paterno pie, grilled steak, spice cupcakes, becks beer in a can and chardonnay in a box.

Rainy Day Tailgate Tips Revisited.

2009-09-25T11:11:00.002-04:00

Check out our post from last season for some tips for a rainy day tailgate...

Twistin' the Night Away; Lee and Stupar doubtful for iowa game.

2009-09-25T10:08:00.002-04:00

So, in his weekly call in show, Coach Paterno relayed that it is "very doubtful" that Sean Lee will be ready to play on Saturday after spraining his knee last week against Temple.

Also, linebacker, Nathan Stupar (STUPAR!) is nursing a sprained ankle.

Of course, star recruit, linebacker, Matt Mauti, is out for the season with a torn ACL.

BUT, it appears that Navarro Bowman will be back to face iowa - he did not play in the first 3 games due to a pre-season injury (groin). Obviously, he is going to have acclimate pretty quickly.

The team still has a plethora of LB talent on the roster - that is, on paper - hopefully some of these touted kids can prove themselves on the field.

Rainy and chance for delays; Penn State to increase security at football games.

2009-09-25T08:33:00.003-04:00

According to a Fox News report, security measures will be heightened at the Penn State iowa game this weekend; a trend that is expected to continue through the remainder of the season. Officials suggest that you plan for an extra 30 minutes to get into the stadium, and that more thorough searches will be conducted.

This announcement comes on the heels of the new "no bag" policy at michigan stadium.

Roundtable Round up; poke 'em in the hawkeyes edition.

2009-09-24T12:21:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Devon at Nittany White Out for his compilation of this week's Blue White Roundtable.