IT IS TIMES LIKE THIS THAT I MISS BOB HOPE

Remember all those Bob Hope Christmas Specials? Okay, neither do I, save for one thing -- Brooke Shields and the AP All-America Football team. Actually, I could care less about Shields, but I thought it was cool that Bob would have all the first team All-Americans on the show, in uniform. If you close your eyes and pretend, you can visualize that this year's special with Bob talking to LB Paul Posluszny and DE Tamba Hali, probably mispronouncing both of their names. Fly baby!

Somebody needs to have an annual special again and bring the All-Americans on. Of course, it would probably be Ryan Seacrest, so maybe not.

Posluszny, Hali make All-America first team; Zemaitis, Brown on second team - AP/CDT

Labels: PSU Football 2005

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posted by WFY @ 5:47 AM | |

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ON PENN STATE FOOTBALL...

QB Mike Robinson finished fifth in the Heisman voting (50 Yard Lion on pennlive.com), which about where he should have been. No New York invitation though.

Paul Posluszny won the Butkus Award (CDT) for being the nation's top linebacker, which kind of surprises me. I figured A.J. Hawk would win it because he is a senior and Poz is just a junior, but I cannot argue with the decision. Posluszny is just excellent, period. Looks like that Sports Illustrated cover story went a long way...

So it is the Orange Bowl against Free Shoes University...okay, I can get excited -- a chance for Joe Paterno to pick up some wins on Bobby Bowden. One drawback -- I don't really know any Seminoles to make some sort of wager. I had been hoping for Miami (my cousin went there), but they laid an egg against Georgia Tech. I was then hoping for Virginia Tech, but Marcus Vick must have been thinking about underage girls again (MSNBC) and the lost the ACC Championship to the seemingly inferior FSU. Oh well, should be fine either way. Dag gummit!

Penn State picked up I-AA Youngstown State to fill a hole created by Louisiana Tech backing out of the September 16 game next year. This is a TRAP game, because Youngstown State is historically an excellent program. Jim Tressel was their coach before going to The Ohio State. One upside, the nickname is Penguins and as longtime WWN readers know, I enjoy it when my teams beat flightless birds. Speaking of Penguins, sorry Sam and Jake...

Labels: PSU Football 2005

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posted by WFY @ 8:36 AM | |

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PLAYER SHUFFLE

Bowden Heats Up the Stove - The Post
DC baseball champion Tom Boswell analyzes the overall moves made by Jim Bowden this year, but does make a frightening point right up front--with no owner and a ballpark deal gone completely awry, Jim Bowden is the best thing the Nats have right now, for better or worse. That's kind of a bleak assessment, yes?

Soriano Jockeys for Position- The Post
The age-old question, varied for the Nats: now that they have Soriano, what do they do with him? Second base is covered by Jose Vidro, and I've already heard one report that will put Soriano in the outfield.

More from The Wash. Times: The Soriano questions

Wilkerson Shocked, but Calls Rangers a 'Positive Situation' - The Post
I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about Brad Wilkerson being traded away. It's hard to let go of his achievements in the inaugural season, most notably the Nats' first cycle. (And who can forget those Chevy Chase bank commercials?)

Council set to debate lease agreement, cost estimate - The Times
May God have mercy on us all.

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BOWL NEWS

State College Is the Place to Be - The Post
Wow! How often does my alma mater make The Post? Mostly about recruiting, but I had to post it for the very fact that it made a Washington paper.

With game nearly 4 weeks away, Bowden and Paterno go face to face - The Patriot-News
Like the famous coffeeshop scene in Heat, where Al Pacino and Robert De Niro have an amicable meeting with mutual respect and admiration, but silently vow to take the other down, so do JoePa and Bobby Bowden meet face to face.

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Today's postings brought to you by Deputy Editor Fritz Hamme, who isn't afraid of an inch of snow.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2005, PSU Football 2005

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posted by Fritz @ 8:58 AM | |

I would like to go on record that this bowl matchup sucks. It's a lose-lose, where if we win then so what. If we lose, uggh... Plus even if we win, we could still get jumped in the polls by Ohio State if the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame.

# posted by  Brad Stratton : Friday, December 09, 2005 7:44:00 PM  

AN ANGRY JOE!

Angry Paterno trashes media- The Patriot-News
Newsflash: JoePa doesn't like the media! This was never more evident than yesterday when he lambasted the media. As an alum, I can't help but love it when JoePa gets mad--but then again, it's mostly at football games that it's exciting to see that side of him.

Even after 31 trips, bowls don't get old - The Patriot-News
And after 4 losing seasons out of 5, it feels glorious to be in a bowl matchup again!

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WHAT'LL YOU TAKE IN TRADE?

Nationals Get a Big Bat in Soriano - The Post
Washington bids adieu to Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, and in exchange gets 2nd baseman Alfonso Soriano.

No news on the ballpark today. I guess they were too busy haggling over the smoking ban.

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SNOW OR ARMAGEDDON?

Messy Winter Storm Heads Toward Region- The Post
I'm recalling the night before Thanksgiving, when William, Erica, and I were leaving the MCI Center. Snow was falling to the ground, and in quintessential William fashion, he shouted out, "SNOWWWWW!!!!! Bread, milk, eggs!!! Close all the schools, abandon your cars!! We're all gonna die!!!" Yup, that about sums it up. One of these days DC will learn how to handle snow. One day... Being a Pennsylvania boy myself, I was used to going to school in much worse than this, and still managing to get on with my life.

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Today's postings brought to you by Deputy Editor Fritz Hamme, who's the only one in his apartment building who a) owns a shovel, and b) knows how to use it.

Labels: PSU Football 2005

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posted by Fritz @ 1:10 PM | |

Actually, it is BREAD! MILK! TOLIET PAPER!

# posted by  WFY : Tuesday, December 13, 2005 5:58:00 AM  

ORANGE BOWL!!!

Coaching matchup dominates Orange Bowl hype - ESPN.com
It's official! Penn State is going head-to-head with Florida State in the Orange Bowl! My father called me tonight to tell me the news, and personally, I was hoping for a Notre Dame matchup, but I can easily wait until September to clobber the Irish again. But truth be told, I'm just happy to be in a bowl matchup again after so many losing seasons!!!

William would like to take this moment to chime in from afar:

Ha! Good job Virginia Tech. While this seems lopsided, you know Free Shoes University has the athletes and will bring their "A" game. This is a great chance for Joe Paterno to pick up ground on Bobby Bowden's overinflated win total too remind everyone that the REAL winningest coach in I-A is in Happy Valley. Also, check the similarities -- people think the game has passed Bowden by and he needs to let his offensive coordinator son go.

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Today's posting brought to you by Deputy Editor Fritz Hamme, with distant input from William himself--both of us proud Penn Staters!

Labels: PSU Football 2005

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posted by Fritz @ 8:21 PM | |

WWN PENN STATE PREGAME #11

#5 Penn State at MICHIGAN STATE

Everybody excited?! Even though Ohio State had more hype, this is the BIGGEST game that Penn State has played since 1994, because the stakes - a Big11Ten championship/BCS bid -- are the highest since then. If they win, they are in, if they lose, they probably head to Orlando or Tampa and somebody like Ohio State or Michigan will get the BCS bid.

Perhaps showing the significance of Penn State's resurgence, or just boredom with Columbus and Ann Arbor, ESPN College GameDay will be in East Lansing (The Collegian) for the game. I guess I will have to watch some of it this week. The university is also doing a send-off and welcome back event.

Despite the apparent mismatch based on the standings, I have butterflies in my stomach over this one; the Spartans are very dangerous, averaging 500 yards a game on offense. Dave Jones of the Patriot-News warns us that since 1997, the Spartans are 9-1 vs. top ten teams. He offers a great way of describing MSU:

Ever know a hot chick in college who, down deep, was never very happy; never really had her life together, but instead seemed to take great pleasure in messing up other people's lives?

The Spartans are that girl. Talented. Look great on paper. But always carrying around a suitcase full of issues so that they never really accomplish anything themselves.

Adding to that, the team in Ann Arbor is still in the race, and that always makes me nervous. As Admiral Ackbar would say, "it's a twap, it's a twap!"

LAST WEEK

The Lions were off. How did you enjoy your off week?

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Penn State may be #4 in the BCS, but when the Land-Grant Trophy is up for grabs, all bets are off.

When Penn State joined the conference, Michigan State asked to be our designated rival, something Paterno alludes to in this week's press conference. The Lions have played the Spartans more than any other Big11Ten school, holding a 9-4 edge since joining the conference. Somebody decided this rivalry needed to be a trophy game and since both institutions were founded in 1855 as land grant schools for their states, it was decided to create the Land Grant Trophy.

Historically, the Spartans have been a hot and cold team. This year, they started off hot, beating Notre Dame, but have been cold since then, losing five in a row. They need to win to be bowl eligible.

Overall, games in the series tend to be either close or complete blowouts. Here is a look at the matchup since I started following the Lions.

1995 - A last second strike from Wally Richardson to Bobby Engram won the game in East Lansing.
1996 - A Brent Conway field goal in the last minute iced the game, 32-29, in frigid Beaver Stadium.
1997 - Michigan State pulled away in the second half behind power running (two backs with over 200 yards EACH) and routed PSU 49 - 14, costing the Lions a Bowl Alliance/coalition game.
1998 - Another lopsided game, this time in Penn State's favor, 51-28 on Thanksgiving Saturday.
1999 - The Lions lose a thriller in East Lansing, 35-28. They had rallied from 21-0 to tie, but simply could not get over the hump during their awful November.
2000 - Revenge! The underachieving Lions scored on their first four possessions to go up 28-0 and crush the Spartans. The lone, obnoxious Spartan fan who had been taunting us throughout the pregame was gone before the first half was over.
2001 - Penn State came back from a 24-7 deficit and won 42-37 to keep bowl hopes alive.
2002 - Larry Johnson went over 2,000 yards a TD run in the second half and the Lions rolled to a 61-7 victory.
2003 - The Lions played uninspired football and lost 41-10 in East Lansing.
2004 - Zack Mills had a senior day to remember with the Lions winning, 37-13 in a game where the score was not very close.

So, for any dismissiveness we may have for this rivalry, it has produced some exciting games.

NEW RANKING

Even though Penn State was idle, they still picked up a spot in both major polls to reach #5 due to Alabama losing to LSU. Even better news is that the Lions are #4 in the BCS poll.

PRESS CONFERENCE RECAP

Here is the press conference transcript from goPSUsports.com and audio from FightOnState.com. Some points: Mike Robinson does not get enough credit and not paying attention BCS.

YOU GOTTA LIKE MIKE!

In what can best be described as a sea change, Penn State is actually promoting one of its players for postseason awards. QB Mike Robinson's season is being celebrated here.

ARTICLES FROM THIS WEEK

Always moving forward, but when will Paterno move on? - USA Today
In shocking news, Paterno says the he wants to coach another four or five years. No, this article was not written in 1983. But seriously, it is a bit in depth about the greatest living coach in the twilight of his days.

Fall and rise of Paterno's Nittany Lion empire - YDR
Another article on the resurgence of the Nittany Lions that once again points to the goal-line stand at Indiana last year. You may recall that last year, Jay Paterno had this to say about that stand:

We felt the whole year, if we can just get one win, we might not lose for two years. And [last week's win over Indiana] might be -- 20 years from now we might look at it, and that goal-line stand might be the most important four plays in the history of Penn State football, who knows. And we're gonna try and make it that way.

Jay is looking a little prophetic...so far. Beating the Spartans this Saturday would go a long way.

PSU fans, players celebrate at lovefest with an electric beat - Post-Gazette
A lengthy look at Zombie Nation's Kernkraft 400 and Guido D'Elia, director of communications and branding, behind using it at Beaver Stadium. I was hard on D'Elia earlier in the season for the hamfisted approach to stadium music. To his credit, he addressed it and listen to the concerns of alumni like me and toned down the hip hop.

ESPN crew films Posluszny feature - The Collegian
A Collegian reporter tags along with the camera crew during the Paul Posluszny feature taping. He is finalist for the Lombardi (Post-Gazette) and Butkus (Patriot-News) awards.

Inconsistent Spartans cannot be taken for granted - Post-Gazette
Another series of warnings about MSU, whom in a roundabout way Paterno said was a rival. There is also a photo of the Land Grant Trophy.

BEANO WATCH

Carroll H. Cook ('54 Pitt) had his last chat of Penn State's regular season. He let them off pretty easily for a change.

Alex, Columbia, SC: Who do you think is coming off a bigger win last week, South Carolina or Clemson and how will that effect the game this week?

Beano Cook: I think this is the game to be at. Steve Spurrier, if he wins this game and Penn STate loses, Spurrier should be coach of the year. If Paterno wins, he's the coach of the year. SC-Clemson is the most intriguing game of the day. I loved the T-shirt after SC beat Florida. It said 'It was big and it was easy.'

Even if Penn State wins, I have to wonder if Paterno really deserves coach of the year. Penn State is supposed to contend for the Big11Ten title in my book, though I am not opposed to Paterno being named coach of the year.

Jim (Phila.): Beano, do you think JoePa has it turned around at Penn State, or is this year a one time thing, like in 2002.

Beano Cook: No, I don't know if they're going to win 9 of 10 next year, but he had a couple of bad years. They'll lose a lot of players, next year will be tough. But in 2007 they'll be tough. The schedule will be in their favor that year. Paterno will coach at least through 2008 if his health remains the way it is now. Shame on those people who wanted to see Paterno retire. Shame, shame, shame, shame.

Beano Cook: Isn't it strange that this Saturday Michigan fans will be rooting for Michigan State? If MSU beats Penn State and Michigan beats OSU, Michigan is in a BCS bowl.

I agree that it is too early to say that PSU has turned it around, a few years of sustained winning with some excellent seasons sprinkled in will tell me that Penn State is back.

Abraham: , San Diego: Who would win if Penn State played UM in the Orange Bowl ?

Beano Cook: Miami.

Beano does not even give reasons for his position, which is unusual for him. I have to think this means he feels strongly about it.

TELEVISION

The contest is being televised nationally on ESPN at 4 p.m. Mike Tirico, Mike Gottfried and Alex Flanagan will be the calling the action.

PREDICTIONS

Like many of the games in the series, I expect this one to be a little wild. MSU may even have a lead for a while and Penn State having trouble putting them away. Nevertheless, I predict a 34-26 victory for the Lions with a big sigh of relief (and bourbon) at the end.

MORE COVERAGE

Penn State Football Official Site - from the "Kremlin"

CDT coverage

Patriot-News coverage

Post-Gazette coverage

Tribune-Review coverage

50 Yard Lion Blog - an Altoona dentist; daily

PA Sports Blog - mostly recruiting, if that is your thing

Nittany Lines Blog -- sports ed. from The Morning Call

Dan Victor's Front Row -- student football columnist at the CDT

Ask Jeff Q & A

FightOnState.com -- free

Blue White Illustrated -- Phil Grosz, subscription required

IN CLOSING

GO STATE, beat SPARTANS!

Labels: Beano Watch, PSU Football 2005

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posted by WFY @ 8:59 PM | |

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BEANO WATCH

Penn State may have a bye week, but that does not mean that Carroll H. Cook ('54 Pitt) did not have a few things to say about the Nittany Lions during his weekly ESPN SportsNation chat.

Larry (Wash., D.C.): Hey Beano! What's the biggest story in college football this year thus far?

Beano Cook: Notre Dame, Penn State, Alabama and USC.

Okay, I will go along with that, except for Notre Dame. Two losses a bandwagon should not make.

Steve Hershey PA: Why isn't Michael Robinson listed with the Heisman Contenders?

Beano Cook: Because he isn't one. He is, but not in the top echelon. He has had a great season, but realistically the top four will be Bush, Young, Leinart and Quinn, not necessarily in that order. I know there are plenty of other quality guys who deserve consideration. The top four will be those guys.

Beano is right, MRob has had quite a season, but he is not one of the four best players in the country. He might be second team All-Big11Ten.

Brian (Chicago, IL): Will Kurt Ferentz be the next coach at PSU?

Beano Cook: First of all, it is Kirk, not Kurt. Paterno will be there for at least three more years, so if Ferentz wants to wait...Paterno stays in Happy Valley unless there are health problems.

Remember when this sort of question was asked weekly? Bradley will get an interview, but Big11Ten regulations may make it hard for Ferentz to move to PSU.

Jacob (Greenwich, CT):
I personally am tired of ND getting preferential treatment not only by their exclusive clauses in the BCS but also by the media and the pollsters that continue to overrate them.

Beano Cook: That's your opinion.

Beano Cook: Believe me, I am not a particular fan of Notre Dame, but give credit where credit is due. The Irish will always play a quality non-league schedule. Next season Michigan and Penn State visit South Bend early.

It will be interesting to see how many Penn Staters make it into South Bend next September.

Frank (Cincinnati): Any truth to rumors that Galen Hall might leave PSU for another job?

Beano Cook: If he was offered a head coaching job, perhaps. If he is offered a coordinator position, no.

This is the first I have heard this rumor, so methinks it is not a strong one. Galen Hall is on the record as saying he is sticking around as long as Joe Paterno is head coach and I doubt he has much incentive to go back on that statement. It has to be a lot more fun for him this year.

Well, that is all, kind of a ho-hum Beano Watch this week, but I fully expect him to have more to say over the next two weeks.

Labels: Beano Watch, PSU Football 2005

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posted by WFY @ 5:25 AM | |

WWN PENN STATE POST-GAME

#10 PENN STATE 35 #14 Wisconsin 14

This past Saturday was just about as perfect a football Saturday as you can get. The weather was great, the tailgate (biggest of the year) was lots of fun, and the Lions got a big win over a ranked team, their closest competitor for the Big11Ten title. I also won a year's worth of bragging rights over a couple of people.

As for the game itself, it reminded me of all those games in the '90s when Penn State would pounce on an opponent and then had trouble putting them away. Though the game was not really in doubt, the Lions never broke the Badgers will, which is saying something. The defensive line had a fantastic day in the Badgers backfield, picking up nine sacks and many tackles for a loss. Incredible. The only thing stopping the Penn State offense wa