a little late but I can't help myself given several of the comments.
One has to look at the stats:
Positives
MIsc.
One has to look at the stats:
- We had the same rushing totals regardless of the fact that we ran five fewer running plays than they did. So given the complaints about our run defense, it felt worse than it was.
- We passed them in passing offense 332 to 162. quite a difference
- No turnovers by either team
- One penalty for five yards. I did see a blatant hold on PSU that wasn't called and the WVU coach complained about lack of holding calls on PSU.
- Love our kickoff specialist. HUGE
Positives
- I was very high on Allar coming in and he exceeded all of my expectations. Presence, running, passing, all of it. I was thrilled with SC's Rose Bowl performance but I felt like Allar, in his first start as a true second-year student was even better. One thing I didn't previously post is the first TD pass. On one view, you can see Allar get flushed from the pocket. At that time, you could see the WR streaking right to left but the S was still to the left of the player. But you could see the S was flat-footed and the WR would streak by him. IIRC, it looked like Allar released the ball when the WR was still to the right of the S but the ball landed when he was to the left of the S. Pretty awesome awareness when under duress.
- Running backs still look like two of the best in the game. Rarely do they lose yards and I almost always feel they take the correct lane (easier for me to see than them)
- I thought the team played with high energy. Especially the defense really flowed to the ball.
- I also thought the WRs looked good. I know there were a couple of drops but many of these guys saw their first prime time play in this level of play. I am talking about the portal guys. I was also impressed by Clifford's quickness, which I didn't expect.
- The PSU brand was just a level beyond anything I saw this weekend. Just great. You could feel the energy.
- FG kicking, obviously. Now, it didn't look like any of the four attempts were mis-hit. All of them were struck well. However, the second-half kicks were all 100% solid.
- Punting. I think we only punted twice but the average was pretty weak. For this level of team, we should do better. Ohio U's punter was outstanding.
- Lots of high snaps on offense. Looked like no damage was done but Allar did a nice job of handling them and not letting them affect the handoff. But they may have, it is hard to tell from here.
- Obviously, our Defensive middle was a little weak but given it was game one, not too much to conclude. Clearly, that is WVUs strength and, again, when you look at the game stats if felt worse than it really was.
- Not a ton of production from the TEs but now knowing that WVU played a cover zero (max rush) and that forced PSU to use max protect (TEs' pass blocking) that makes sense. I would guess that teams watching the WVU video won't commit to making Allar beat them (because he will).
- I am not sure what happened when we had to burn a timeout. It looked like Allar wasn't getting the play. It cost us a play at the end when we were going for a TD and ended up having to kick a FG, which we missed.
MIsc.
- I don't know how you defend our offense if we perform to that standard. Going in, we had question marks at WR and I think they all look really good. And we have a number 1 guy. We know the TEs and RBs are solid. On the OL, we'll get better.
- CJF looked really pissed off when they showed him just after the clock expired. I am not sure why. was it before or after the handshake? Did the WVU coach say something? Was it a player? Not sure but he seemed aggravated.
- Every talking head I listened to was very complimentary of PSU, the team, and the atmosphere. Everyone. Really cool to watch and see.
- I thought blackledge missed the call when he said allar missed the slant. Fact is, it was low but above the knees. You gotta catch that. I know the low throw could have hampered the ability to make it a long gainer, but it was a very catchable ball and I am sure the WR knows that.
- The only bad throw, I saw, was when the WR broke up an INT. That was a big and heady play by him.
- first day with the OC in the booth. Could that have contributed to some confusion getting calls into the O? I thought the play calling was good.
- Nothing with both Kaytron and Singleton in the same backfield
- How long before we see a bootleg or pass from the short-yardage wing T? I also have to think a QB sneak, with some pushers, would work in short yardage, especially since we always run off tackle from that formation.