Quick Thoughts on Penn State’s Blue White Game

Penn State will now move into the long abyss after the Blue White Game and before the summer practice sessions begin. But first, let me point out a few things about the game.

Offense

• Daryll Clark and Evan Royster could very well carry the team this year. While Royster only logged three carries, they amounted to 21 yards. He looked fluid, as usual, and shouldn’t have a problem with the…
Continue reading at Bleacher Report – Big Ten Football

Royster Looks To Build On Breakout ‘08 At Penn St.

Evan Royster led the Big Ten’s best rushing attack last season and the rest of the conference can expect more of the same this season.
Continue reading at College Sports for NBC4i.com

Royster focused on ‘09, with eye toward NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Like any other prominent Big Ten football player, Penn State's Evan Royster knows what it's like to be recruited.
He just didn't expect the process to start up again.     Paul Spinelli/Getty Images   Despite his NFL aspirations, Evan Royster remains focused on the coming season. …
Continue reading at ESPN.com – Big Ten – Blog

All-Big Ten: Who’s back? Who’s not?

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

As spring practice approaches, it's time to review the 2008 All-Big Ten teams and see who will be back and who won't for the 2009 season. To avoid confusion, I'll stick with the media's picks for all-conference. 

FIRST TEAM

Gone (17)

• RB Shonn Greene, Iowa
• RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
• C A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
• G Seth Olsen, Iowa
• G Rich Ohrnberger, Penn State
• T Alex Boone, Ohio State
• T Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
• K Kevin Kelly, Penn State
• DT Mitch King, Iowa
• DE Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota
• DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State
• LB Brit Miller, Illinois
• LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
• S Otis Wiley, Michigan State
• CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
• CB Allen Langford, Wisconsin 

Back (7)

• QB Daryll Clark, Penn State
• WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois 
• WR Eric Decker, Minnesota
• TE Garrett Graham, Wisconsin
• DE Jammie Kirlew, Indiana
• LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State
• P Zoltan Mesko, Michigan

SECOND TEAM

Gone (14)

• RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State
• WR Deon Butler, Penn State
• WR Derrick Williams, Penn State
• C Ryan McDonald, Illinois
• C Rob Bruggeman, Iowa
• G Roland Martin, Michigan State
• G Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin
• T Xavier Fulton, Illinois
• T Jesse Miller, Michigan State
• TE Jack Simmons, Minnesota
• DT Matt Kroul, Iowa
• LB Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
• CB Lydell Sargeant, Penn State
• S Anthony Scirrotto, Penn State

Back (12)

• QB Juice Williams, Illinois
• RB Evan Royster, Penn State
• T Kyle Calloway, Iowa
• K Brett Swenson, Michigan State
• DE Brandon Graham, Michigan
• DE Corey Wootton, Northwestern
• DT Jared Odrick, Penn State
• LB Pat Angerer, Iowa
• LB Greg Jones, Michigan State
• CB Traye Simmons, Minnesota
• S Kurt Coleman, Ohio State
• P Aaron Bates, Michigan State

Teams most affected by All-Big Ten losses: Penn State (9), Ohio State (5), Iowa (5)

Teams returning most All-Big Ten players: Penn State (4), Michigan State (3)

Positions most affected by losses: Tackle (4), guard (4), cornerback (4), center (3), running back (3)

Positions returning most All-Big Ten selections: Quarterback (2), wide receiver (2 first teamers), linebacker (3), punter (2)

Notes

• Co-champ Ohio State returns only one All-Big Ten selection (Coleman). Freshman of the Year Terrelle Pryor also is back.
• No team returns two first-team All-Big Ten selections.
• Michigan State returns both of its all-conference specialists.  
• For the second straight year, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year was a junior running back who entered the NFL draft. Iowa's Greene followed Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall in 2007. 

Go to Source

Four Big Ten teams make Schlabach’s Top 25

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

No sport lends itself to premature predictions quite like college football, which provides a lengthy offseason for fearless forecasting. ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach did just that today with his revised Top 25 for 2009, which includes four Big Ten teams.

Ohio State leads off the Big Ten representatives at No. 7, one spot behind Sept. 12 opponent USC and two spots ahead of Penn State. This seems about right for the Buckeyes, who will be a lot younger in 2009 but arguably more talented at the skill positions. Though it was somewhat surprising to see Virginia Tech (No. 5) ahead of Ohio State, the Buckeyes certainly enter the fall with some question marks, many of which can be answered with a win against USC.

Penn State's placement also seems about right. Like Ohio State, the Lions lose a sizable senior class as well as two defensive ends (Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans) leaving early for the NFL draft. The Big Ten's best offensive backfield (quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Evan Royster) and the league's best linebacking corps gives Penn State a chance to surpass Ohio State this fall.

Iowa moves up to No. 16 in Schlabach's rundown, thanks to a defense that returns nine starters and several experienced reserves. As Schlabach notes, quarterback Ricky Stanzi's development is paramount for an offense that loses Doak Walker Award winner Shonn Greene but should be stronger at wide receiver and possibly just as strong along the offensive line.

Michigan State rounds out the Big Ten contingent at No. 24. I was a bit surprised to see the Spartans in the rankings, though I would put them no worse than 30th in my preseason rundown. I'm always a bit hesitant to trumpet a team that must replace multi-year starters at both running back and quarterback, though Kirk Cousins or Keith Nichol could be an upgrade to Brian Hoyer under center. The Spartans should be even stronger on defense this fall, and if the passing game can be upgraded a bit, they'll crack my Top 25 as well.

Go to Source

Examining the Big Ten sleeper recruits

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Wisconsin's addition today of tight end Jacob Pedersen, an unheralded recruit from Michigan who reportedly received no other FBS offers, got me thinking about the so-called sleeper pickups in the Big Ten.

Recruiting rankings are the rage right now, as prospects and classes are dissected before national signing day. While the rankings often prove true, they often miss the mark as well. Some of the best college players go largely unnoticed in high school, only to blossom in college thanks to hard work and excellent coaching. Wisconsin hopes Pedersen can become one of these guys.

Here are one or two sleeper recruits from each Big Ten team now playing a significant role. 

ILLINOIS

Tackle Jeff Allen – Allen was a two-star prospect who emerged as one of the Big Ten's top young offensive linemen this fall.

INDIANA

Defensive ends Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew – Both players have earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, and both were not highly rated coming out of high school.

IOWA 

Cornerback Amari Spievey – Spievey will enter 2009 as one of the Big Ten's top corners, but he wasn't considered an elite prospect coming out of Middletown, Conn.

MICHIGAN

Linebacker Obi Ezeh — Michigan rarely gets true "sleepers," but Ezeh was nowhere near the top of his class in 2006. The former running back led the team in tackles with 98 this fall. 

MICHIGAN STATE 

Linebacker Greg Jones — Jones wasn't the Michigan State's lowest-rated recruit in 2007, but he got largely overlooked coming out of Ohio and didn't receive a ton of BCS offers. He's now one of the Big Ten's top linebackers after leading Michigan State in tackles in each of his first two seasons.

MINNESOTA

Wide receiver Eric Decker – One of the Big Ten's top wide receivers earned only two stars as a prep prospect. Decker is likely ticketed for the NFL as a slot receiver after recording 151 receptions the last two seasons.

NORTHWESTERN

Cornerback Sherrick McManis — McManis was an 11th-hour commitment who received no other FBS offers. He made an immediate impact on special teams as a freshman and will enter his third year as a starter this coming season.

OHIO STATE

Wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher — Ohio State doesn't recruit many sleepers, but Sanzenbacher somewhat qualifies after receiving offers mostly from MAC schools. Sanzenbacher emerged as a tough and reliable target this fall and enters 2009 as a potential starter. 

PENN STATE

Running back Evan Royster — We'll have a better idea about other Penn State sleepers this year (Drew Astorino, Stephfon Green), but Royster didn't arrive with the same hype as several of his 2006 classmates. He flew under the radar until this season, when he finished 28th nationally in rushing and averaged 6.47 yards a carry. 

PURDUE

Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan — Kerrigan was a big deal in the state of Indiana, but that didn't translate to tons of BCS offers. He'll enter 2009 as one of the Big Ten's top pass rushers after tallying seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss this fall. 

WISCONSIN 

Cornerback Niles Brinkley — Largely overlooked coming out of St. Louis, Brinkley became one of the Badgers' top playmakers on defense this fall. He led the team with four interceptions and ranked second with nine pass breakups.

Go to Source

Penn State’s Green has surgery, will miss spring

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It hasn't been the best news day for Penn State football, which just announced that backup running back Stephfon Green underwent right ankle surgery today and will miss spring practice.

Green's surgery was successful, but team doctor Wayne Sebastianelli said in a news release that rehabilitation will take 3-4 months. The redshirt freshman, who suffered a similar injury in high school, dislocated his ankle during the fourth quarter of Penn State's loss to USC in the Rose Bowl.

Green, the team's most explosive runner, had 578 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go along with 15 receptions and a touchdown.

On the bright side, Lions starting running back Evan Royster (knee) and starting right tackle Dennis Landolt (knee) will be able to participate in spring ball. Penn State really missed Royster in the Rose Bowl after the sophomore got hurt in the first half.

Go to Source

A major setback for Penn State, Big Ten

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

	Jeff Gross/Getty Images
	Penn State couldn’t get the ball to Derrick Williams as much as it hoped in a 38-24 loss to USC.

Penn State entered the Cardinal and Gold inferno known as Rose Bowl Stadium in search of national respect for its football program and secondly, its beleaguered conference.

The Nittany Lions ended up getting burned, and so did the Big Ten.

Penn State players had grown tired of hearing how great No. 5 USC was this season. The eighth-ranked Lions don’t have to hear it any more. They experienced it in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi.

In a game that would define Penn State and the Big Ten more than any other this postseason, USC beat the Nittany Lions 38-24. The result wasn’t a total surprise, but the way it happened was shocking.

A team that had been so balanced and so disciplined suffered a complete meltdown in the second quarter. After ranking third nationally in fewest penalties, Penn State drew seven flags for 63 yards in the opening half, including an offside call on rush end Aaron Maybin that nullified a USC fumble. Many of the fouls were mental mistakes — late hits, pre-snap penalties — and uncharacteristic of a Joe Paterno-coached, senior-led team. The result was a 31-7 halftime deficit.

Penn State’s defense, a unit ranked third nationally in scoring and fifth in yards allowed, simply didn’t show up.

USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and quarterback Mark Sanchez exposed the Nittany Lions secondary, a weakness all season that was masked by a terrific defensive front seven and a conference with subpar quarterbacks.

Penn State generated minimal pressure on Sanchez, and the USC junior made all the throws against a secondary that reinforced the Big Ten’s slow stereotype. Sanchez silenced his doubters, and created some for Tom Bradley and the Penn State defense.

Recapping the first-half carnage:

• No team had scored more than 24 points against Penn State this season. USC had 31 in the first half.
• The Lions had allowed 24 first-half points combined in their last four games.
• Penn State allowed an average of 168 pass yards per game. Sanchez had 276 in the half.
• Penn State allowed an average of 263.9 yards per game. USC had 341 in the half.

I never thought Penn State would do the things it did in the first half against USC. And yes, I’m the yutz who picked Penn State to win a defensive struggle today.

But that’s what USC does to teams in the Rose Bowl. Perhaps it’s a psychological edge after so many years of winning.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about it all was the fact that Penn State answered USC’s first punch. After the Trojans took a 7-0 lead, quarterback Daryll Clark led a masterful touchdown drive against the nation’s top defense. Clark actually played a good first half, but Penn State couldn’t convert several third-and-short situations and got no help from its defense. The injury to running back Evan Royster certainly hurt, and Penn State couldn’t get the ball to Derrick Williams as much as it hoped.

The second half lacked much drama, but Penn State didn’t quit, especially Clark (273 pass yards, 2 TDs). Unfortunately for the Lions, neither did Sanchez (413 pass yards, 4 TDs).

Head coach Joe Paterno watched it all from the press box. He might have had more fun spending the day at the beach.

Penn State had a great season and likely will enter 2009 as the preseason Big Ten favorite, a dubious distinction. The Nittany Lions will be very solid on defense and with Clark back, they’ll have a chance to erase this stain on their bowl résumé.

If this is the best the Big Ten has to offer, and Penn State earned that designation during the regular season, then the league has some major problems. The Big Ten’s bowl lineup looked murderous, but four double-digit losses is pretty weak.

Three traditional powerhouse programs and major TV markets will always make the Big Ten relevant in college football, but we’re in the dark ages for the conference. The Big Ten hasn’t won a Rose Bowl since 2000 and, like many around college football, can’t find an answer for USC.

Ohio State could dull the pain with a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl win against Texas on Monday, but the Jim Delany’s league has to do some soul searching after the season. The Big Ten entered the 2008 season with a poor national reputation and thus far has done nothing to change it.

Go to Source

Rose Bowl preview

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

The defining game of the Big Ten bowl season pits traditional powers No. 8 Penn State (11-1) against No. 5 USC (11-1) in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi (ABC 5 p.m. ET). The Big Ten hasn’t won a Rose Bowl since 2000 and enters with a four-game losing streak in BCS games. Penn State hasn’t followed the league’s downward trend, winning its last three bowl games, including the 2006 Orange.

Here’s a look at this mega matchup.

WHO TO WATCH: Quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Evan Royster have sparkled as first-year starters in Penn State’s offensive backfield. They face their toughest test to date in USC, which leads the nation in scoring and could be the best defense in recent college football history. Clark regained his confidence in the regular-season finale against Michigan State but must make smart, yet assertive decisions. If Penn State’s veteran offensive line gives Royster running room, he could do some damage.

WHAT TO WATCH: Penn State’s offensive scheme and strategy this season has been, well, very un-Penn State. The Spread HD attacked defenses with small, fast wide receivers and opened up running lanes for Clark, Royster, Derrick Williams and Stephfon Green. USC’s back seven on defense is its strength, so it will be interesting to see how aggressive play-callers Jay Paterno and Galen Hall will be in the game. A bold approach has its risks and rewards, while a conservative style likely won’t work against USC.

WHY TO WATCH: Because it’s the Rose Bowl, silly. Not fully convinced? You’ve got two iconic coaches from different generations (Joe Paterno and Pete Carroll), two top five defenses (including the so-called greatest defense ever in USC), a ton of future NFL players and the arguably the greatest setting in college sports. USC can strengthen its argument as potentially the nation’s best team, while Penn State can finally gain national respect for its team and, just maybe, its league. You have no excuse not to watch this game.

Go to Source

A Minor oversight in the running back rankings

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

I’ll own up to a mistake when one is made, and there should be a “Minor” revision to Tuesday’s two-part Big Ten running back rankings.

As in, Brandon Minor.

Michigan had a pretty miserable year on offense, but Minor did a nice job during the second half of the season and deserves a spot in the running back rundown. I spent too much time sorting out the top five and neglected to include Minor, who had 533 yards and nine touchdowns for the Wolverines. 

Here are the revised two-part rankings:

2008 performance/value to team

1. Shonn Greene, Iowa
2. Javon Ringer, Michigan State
3. Chris “Beanie” Wells, Ohio State
4. Evan Royster, Penn State
5. Kory Sheets, Purdue
6. John Clay, Wisconsin
7. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
8. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
9. Marcus Thigpen, Indiana
10. Brandon Minor, Michigan
11. Stephfon Green, Penn State

Overall ability/pro potential

1. Chris “Beanie” Wells, Ohio State
2. Shonn Greene, Iowa
3. Javon Ringer, Michigan State
4. Evan Royster, Penn State
5. John Clay, Wisconsin
6. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
7. Kory Sheets, Purdue
8. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
9. Brandon Minor, Michigan
10. Stephfon Green, Penn State
11. Jewel Hampton, Iowa
Go to Source

Next Page »