Game Ball & Helmet Stickers: Rutgers
Just as the doctor ordered, a good dose of Sweet Home Happy Valley was all this family of Blue and White needed to remedy those two losses; even if it did take a little longer than normal to get that Nittany Lion locomotive rolling at full steam. Penn State smothered Rutgers 35-6 in front of a packed house on Homecoming Weekend and Veteran’s Day, and the combination of the two made it all the more special. Mother Nature and her frigid cold did little to deter a crowd of 107,845 in desperate need of getting back on track. After coming dangerously close to hearing a throng of boo birds during a first quarter that saw us fall into a 0-6 hole, the Penn State D stiffened in the second-half and our offense finally pulled away. Just like that, all was right in our corner of the world once again.
After a two-week lull in Game Balls, Trace McSorley a.k.a. “The Wizard” ushers in its return with a bang. McSorley accounted for over 250 yards total offense, 3 touchdowns (two passing and one rushing) and zero turnovers. In the process, he set the all-time touchdown record after notching number 68 with a zig-zagging 20-yard run in the second quarter, topping the mark set by Darryl ‘The Captain' Clark in 2009. With one season left on his plate and three games left to go this year, the sky is the limit on how far The Wizard rises before all is said and done with his stellar career.
Speaking of records, Tyler Davis set one of his own on Saturday by making his 122nd consecutive extra point. Despite his early season struggles, Mr. Automatic continues to swing away with that leg of his and leads off this week’s Helmet Stickers for his achievement. DaeSean Hamilton continues to pad his own record for most all-time receptions by adding 4 on Saturday and a touchdown, as did Mike Gesicki with 4 receptions and a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Saquon Barkley continues to be every defense’s focus, but still managed to ring up another two touchdowns to add to his collection and Juwan Johnson snagged 7 for 78 yards just to remind us that the future rests in his hands. On the other side, Captain Cabinda led all with 11 tackles, Brandon Smith tallied 10, and Garrett Taylor recovered a fumble for a defense that limited the Scarlet Knights to 200 total yards of offense.
Up next, I see stripes on the horizon with our annual StripeOut and a chance to say goodbye to a group of seniors that have meant so much to the vitality of Penn State Football in its darkest hour. It's the final homecoming of the season as Penn State takes on Nebraska, a program that has never quite found its footing after their own legendary coach, Tom Osbourne, hung up his whistle and clipboard. Something to ponder for those that get little satisfaction from ‘only' beating Rutgers 35-6. After watching the demolition of Georgia and Notre Dame this weekend, the sting of our own two losses by a grand total of 4 points doesn’t feel quite as bad as it did a week ago and should go to show how close we really are as a program.
After a two-week lull in Game Balls, Trace McSorley a.k.a. “The Wizard” ushers in its return with a bang. McSorley accounted for over 250 yards total offense, 3 touchdowns (two passing and one rushing) and zero turnovers. In the process, he set the all-time touchdown record after notching number 68 with a zig-zagging 20-yard run in the second quarter, topping the mark set by Darryl ‘The Captain' Clark in 2009. With one season left on his plate and three games left to go this year, the sky is the limit on how far The Wizard rises before all is said and done with his stellar career.
Speaking of records, Tyler Davis set one of his own on Saturday by making his 122nd consecutive extra point. Despite his early season struggles, Mr. Automatic continues to swing away with that leg of his and leads off this week’s Helmet Stickers for his achievement. DaeSean Hamilton continues to pad his own record for most all-time receptions by adding 4 on Saturday and a touchdown, as did Mike Gesicki with 4 receptions and a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Saquon Barkley continues to be every defense’s focus, but still managed to ring up another two touchdowns to add to his collection and Juwan Johnson snagged 7 for 78 yards just to remind us that the future rests in his hands. On the other side, Captain Cabinda led all with 11 tackles, Brandon Smith tallied 10, and Garrett Taylor recovered a fumble for a defense that limited the Scarlet Knights to 200 total yards of offense.
Up next, I see stripes on the horizon with our annual StripeOut and a chance to say goodbye to a group of seniors that have meant so much to the vitality of Penn State Football in its darkest hour. It's the final homecoming of the season as Penn State takes on Nebraska, a program that has never quite found its footing after their own legendary coach, Tom Osbourne, hung up his whistle and clipboard. Something to ponder for those that get little satisfaction from ‘only' beating Rutgers 35-6. After watching the demolition of Georgia and Notre Dame this weekend, the sting of our own two losses by a grand total of 4 points doesn’t feel quite as bad as it did a week ago and should go to show how close we really are as a program.
