Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
Nittany Lions finish #25 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Nittany Lions finish #25
Nittany Lions Earn 33rd Top 25 Ranking Under Joe Paterno - Intercollegiate Athletics Make it two consecutive top 25 finishes in a row for the Nittany Lions in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Actually, make it two consecutive #25 finishes in the Coaches Poll. The Nittany Lions were not ranked by the AP Poll coming in as the second "Also Receiving Votes" team.
I'll be participating in Blue White Roundtable at lunch today.
Revisiting 2007 PSU football predictions - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, January 04, 2008
Revisiting 2007 PSU football predictions
For the second consecutive year, I posted predictions from dozens members of the media connected with the Nittany Lions. I also posted my prediction (11-2). I was way off.
Soothsayers (9-4)
Paul Alexander, FSN Pittsburgh Colin Cowherd, ESPN Radio Walt Moody, CDT Mark Brennan, FightOnState.com
Expecting just a little more out of the Nittany Lions (10-3)
Andy Elder, Blue White Illustrated Sean Fitz, Blue White Illustrated Amanda Gifford, ESPN Radio Todd Brown, WBLF/WPHB Sports Director Chris Morelli, Blue White Illustrated Ron Musselman, Post Gazette David Penceck, Town and Gown Lou Prato, PSU Historian/author Jeff Rice, CDT Sam Ross, Jr., Tribune Review Eric Thomas, Carlisle Sentinel Jerry Kellar, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader Rob Biertempfel, Tribune Review Neil Rudel, Altoona Mirror Chris Morelli, Blue White Illustrated David Pencek, Town & Gown Beth Hudson, The Morning Call Matt Herb, Town & Gown Cory Giger, Altoona Mirror Mark Wogenrich, The Morning Call
Expecting there would be no bowl game (10-2)
Rich Scarcella, Reading Eagle Rob Riva, FightOnState.com
Picking with their hearts (11-2)
Mike Poorman, Blue White Illustrated Frank Bodani, YDR Gene Collier, Post Gazette Tricia Lafferty, Tribune Review Stan Savran, FSN Pittsburgh Mimi Barrash Coppersmith, Town & Gown
Irrational Exuberance (12-1)
Phil Grosz, Blue White Illustrated Rob Egan, Host of "Front and Center" (Altoona) Nate Bauer, Blue White Illustrated Jerry Fisher, WBLF
<h1><i>WWN</i> PENN STATE POSTGAME #13</h1> - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, December 30, 2007
WWN PENN STATE POSTGAME #13
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Penn State 24 Texas A&M 17
As expected and predicted, Penn State won the Valero Alamo Bowl. Joe Paterno wins about 67% of bowl games he has coached because he is successful in putting in new schemes like Daryl Clark running draw plays at quarterback while Anthony Morelli stays out of trouble split wide. When you consider that Morelli as a wideout ultimately meant Penn State was playing with ten players and just about every play Clark played at QB was a draw play, the success rate of Clark was phenomenal. It worked the other night, but won't work against the top half of the Big11Ten. We still don't know if Clark can throw the ball.
I think this was the Penn State bowl game that I was the least emotionally invested in ever. I even nodded off in the third quarter and missed A&M's field goal. This is what happens when a team gets in fights off the field and underachieves on it does to fans.
Speaking of Morelli, he's done! His disappointing career is finally over. I think he got some bad breaks along the way, but ultimately, he didn't have the necessary leadership skills and accuracy to lead a high powered team.
Rodney Kinlaw had another 100+ yards game. He is one of the most pleasant surprises of the season. The offensive line was the most pleasant surprise of the season.
I'm glad the coaches didn't panic when the Lions went down 14-0 and put the ball in Morelli's hands too much. I guess the realized that A&M just wasn't very good.
Good job by the defense overall, but holding the Aggies to no points after a 90+ yards drive has a lot to do with luck like A&M not using Jorvorskie Lane in short yardage. What were they thinking? No wonder Lane was on the sidelines crying.
A.J. Wallace had a costly fumble that led to 7 A&M points, but also recovered a fumble and an interception. I guess he was +1.
I'll acknowledge that Erin Andrews is probably the best sideline reporter out there, but seriously, she isn't a goddess. Good hair though.
Dan Connor had a solid final game, 9 tackles. He will be missed, but I still think Paul Posluszny was better overall. Sean Lee was in on 14 tackles.
NoVa native Evan Royster was effective in limited action, scoring the game clinching TD.
I'm excited about the lines for next season. The offensive line returns everyone and the defensive line will have lots of experience.
Good to see the cornerbacks weren't lined-up twelve yards deep on every play.
Blue White Roundtable: Alamo Bowl Eve - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, December 28, 2007
Blue White Roundtable: Alamo Bowl Eve
This pre-Alamo Bowl edition of Blue White Roundtable features questions from all of us.
WFY: Do you think any of the quarterbacks below Anthony Morelli will get any meaningful playing time on Saturday?
I don't think either Daryl Clark or Pat Devlin will get much playing time unless Penn State runs it up in the first half or Anthony Morelli gets hurt.
The Nittany Notebook: Other than the quarterbacks, what players would you like to see get significant playing time in the game for preparation for 2008?
Evan Royster, the next generation of linebackers and probably some DBs.
There Is No Name On My Jersey: Will Royster finish the game healthy? If not, how concerned should fans be about the RB position in '08?
I will give a Joe Paterno-type answer -- how should I know? I'm not too concerned about the running back position, because the offensive line looks better than it has in a long time.
Black Shoe Diaries: Obviously a loss to Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl would be devastating for the psyche of the program going into the off season. But is there anything good that can come out of beating a middle of the road Big XII team in a non-New Years Day bowl game? Basically, tell me why I should care about this game?
I don't think it is devastating to loss to Texas A&M unless they are completely embarrassed. They are basically playing a road game indoors against a team that can beat Texas. A loss could provide a wake-up call to a lot of people and get them to be more motivated for 2008. That being said, I'd prefer a victory. The reason to care about this game is self-evident.
The Nittany Line: Will 2008 be JoePa's last year and if so will the old man bow out gracefully or will he be forced out?
I don't think it will be his last year because I don't believe either Tim Curley or Graham Spainer has the guts to force Paterno out.
Run Up the Score!: When Joe Paterno finally retires, how long of a leash should the next coach get? What's the standard he'll be judged by, and does your answer depend on whether the new head coach comes from within or outside the program?
The next coach should start off with a five year contract and barring any seasons with eight or more losses after year two should be given the opportunity to coach for the duration of the contract. I believe a head coach from inside the program will be judged less harshly than an outsider, even though the opposite should be true.
Lightning Round
Your Alamo Bowl Prediction? Penn State 28 Texas A&M 20 Hopefully, we'll be back next week with a post-Alamo Bowl wrap-up.
Alamo Bowl notes - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Alamo Bowl notes
After not talking to the media for 47 days and skipping an earlier press conference, Anthony Morellishowed up at the press conference for defensive players (The Collegian). Officially, there was a mix-up the other day and he's concerned with playing football.
A Texas A&M yell leader had this to say (Dallas Morning News) at the joint-pep rally (which is an odd thing, no?): "Joe Paterno's on his death bed! And someone needs to find him a casket!"
That went over about as well as one could expect and official A&M was all apologetic. I'm not too upset -- more bulletin board material for the Nittany Lions!
By the way, I would have linked to the Patriot-News story, but there was a flash ad that wouldn't go away and let me read the content.
A Big Ten football officiating team that came under scrutiny for its performance in two conference games last month was led by a crew chief with a history of bankruptcy, casino gambling, child abuse and allegations of sexual harassment, a Yahoo! Sports investigation has revealed.
I know, I'm shocked too. Does the Big11Ten go out of its way to discredit itself?
I think we'll be hearing the name Stephon Pamon a lot while this unfolds. It may amount to nothing, but it certainly doesn't look good from the outset. I want to know how many Penn State games Pamon has officiated. Was he there in 2003 at the Penn State vs. Ohio State game, for example?
There are reports out of Pittsburgh that Tom Bradley has been contacted by WVU to gauge interest in becoming their next head coach. I could not find an article to confirm it--perhaps you might have better luck.
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:12:00 AM
I have heard the same rumors. Dave Jones stumped for Bradley taking the job in yesterday's Patriot-News, but I didn't bother posting it.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:26:00 AM
Post a CommentNo roundtable, but lots of Blue White news - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
No roundtable, but lots of Blue White news
Blue White Roundtable is on hiatus until we get closer to the Valero Alamo Bowl. In the meantime, there is a lot of Penn State football news.
BREAKING: Penn State and Oregon State will play on Sept. 6 in University Park (Intercollegiate Athletics). That's right, Beavers in Beaver. This has been expected for several weeks, but it just became official.
Brian Norwood's replacement as safeties coach (The Collegian) is Kermit Buggs. I now nothing about him other than he has been with the program for several years and he has a great name.
PSU secondary coach leaves for Baylor - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, December 07, 2007
PSU secondary coach leaves for Baylor
Norwood leaving Lions to take job with Baylor - Patriot-News Brian Norwood, Penn State's secondary coach since 2001, has accepted the position at Baylor. His son, Jordan, has been one of Penn State's primary receivers for three seasons.
Connor wins Bednarik Award - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Connor wins Bednarik Award
Connor receives award - The Collegian MLB Dan Connor won the Chuck Bednarik Award last night. Connor now has half as many Bednarik Awards as Paul Posluszny, who won the last two. I would not be surprised Penn State is the first program to win three consecutive Bednariks. I'm also not the only one expecting LB Sean Lee be a finalist for the award next year.
1. PSU is lined up to play Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl. How are you feeling about the match-up and Penn State's chances?
If Penn State's coaching staff has been subscribing to the right e-mail newsletters (EDSBS), I'm feeling great about this game. Overall, I'm feeling pretty good -- despite the Texas win, I think Texas A&M is probably a lesser opponent. Throw in some coaching upheaval down there and Joe Paterno's high winning percentage in bowl games I am like the Nittany Lions' chances. I'll need to study up on A&M more though.
2. The BCS, fire away.
It is what it is and it won't be changing anytime soon. I'm so myopic about Penn State, I really can't work up the righteous indignation that Georgia or Virgina Tech couldn't get a shot. I feel bad for Hawaii though.
3. Will you be rooting for Tosu in order to help boost the profile of the conference or will you unmitigated hate win out?
I'm in a unique situation when it comes to Ohio State -- my job involves working on a Buckeyes site. It just so happens, I'll be coordinating between that site and one in Louisanna too, so I have to be objective, no?
I guess I'll be rooting for OSU, but I really don't have any loyalty to the conference.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Are you going to the Alamo Bowl?
No, I'll be in Pennsylvania with my in-laws; arrangements are being be made so that we all see the game on the big TV. Yay.
The next bowl game I attend with be the first.
How much PT does Devlin and Clarke see?
A series each, unless Morelli is hurt or Penn State is up by four touchdowns in the 3rd quarter.
Party like its 1999 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, December 03, 2007
Party like its 1999
Lions to face Texas A&M - The Collegian Penn State will be playing Texas A&M in the Valero Alamo Bowl, a rematch of the 1999 game. A&M went 7-5 under embattled head coach Dennis Franchione, who has since resigned. Defenseive coordinator Gary Darnell will helm the Aggies with Mike Sherman taking over full time next year.
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