PSU #1 in Nation in Total Defense 223 ypg (scUM #2 at 247 ypg). PSU also #1 in yards surrendered per play, 3.91 ypp (only FBS team under 4.0).

[CJFisJoePaII]

Also #1 in Nation in sacks, 48 (4 per game) - aTm #2 with 42, 3.5 per game.

PSU #1 in nation in Turnover Margin, +19 (+1.58 per game) - PSU was #2 in total turnovers caused, 25 (BGSU had 27 turnovers but a much lower Turnover Margin at +8, +0.67 per game).

PSU #2 in Nation in TFL, 101 (8.4 per game) - Texas State #1 with 102. PSU did lead the Nation in TFL Yards with -451 yards on 101 TFLs (-4.5 yards per TFL) - Texas State was #2 with -432 yards on 102 TFLs (-4.2 yards per TFL).

PSU led Nation in First Downs Surrendered, 151 (12.6 per game) - scUM #2 at 158 First Downs Surrendered (13.2 per game).

PSU was #2 in Nation in Pass Defense YPG (153.6 YPG) - duhO$U #1 at 147.5 (PSU did lead the Nation in fewest Passing TDs Allowed, 7, - duhO$U allowed 8.).

PSU #3 in Nation in Scoring Defense, 11.42 PPG (scUM #1 @ 10.25 and duhO$U #2 at 11.00)

The list goes on and on - PSU is at the top of the list in every major Defensive Category.

 

[Ian]

Time for Manny to cash in. Also, just reinforces how they wasted a championship defense…

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Time for Manny to cash in. Also, just reinforces how they wasted a championship defense…

Thick.

 

[blair10]

Also #1 in Nation in sacks, 48 (4 per game) - aTm #2 with 42, 3.5 per game.

PSU #1 in nation in Turnover Margin, +19 (+1.58 per game) - PSU was #2 in total turnovers caused, 25 (BGSU had 27 turnovers but a much lower Turnover Margin at +8, +0.67 per game).

PSU #2 in Nation in TFL, 101 (8.4 per game) - Texas State #1 with 102. PSU did lead the Nation in TFL Yards with -451 yards on 101 TFLs (-4.5 yards per TFL) - Texas State was #2 with -432 yards on 102 TFLs (-4.2 yards per TFL).

PSU led Nation in First Downs Surrendered, 151 (12.6 per game) - scUM #2 at 158 First Downs Surrendered (13.2 per game).

PSU was #2 in Nation in Pass Defense YPG (153.6 YPG) - duhO$U #1 at 147.5 (PSU did lead the Nation in fewest Passing TDs Allowed, 7, - duhO$U allowed 8.).

PSU #3 in Nation in Scoring Defense, 11.42 PPG (scUM #1 @ 10.25 and duhO$U #2 at 11.00)

The list goes on and on - PSU is at the top of the list in every major Defensive Category.

These wonderful achievements are actually understated when you take into account those 2 bonehead Franklin 4th down decisions in Penn State territory with 7+ and 4+ minutes remaining against Ohio State and Michigan. These failed attempts resulted in cheap TDs which basically put both games out of reach for Penn State.

 

[brupsu]

Also #1 in Nation in sacks, 48 (4 per game) - aTm #2 with 42, 3.5 per game.

PSU #1 in nation in Turnover Margin, +19 (+1.58 per game) - PSU was #2 in total turnovers caused, 25 (BGSU had 27 turnovers but a much lower Turnover Margin at +8, +0.67 per game).

PSU #2 in Nation in TFL, 101 (8.4 per game) - Texas State #1 with 102. PSU did lead the Nation in TFL Yards with -451 yards on 101 TFLs (-4.5 yards per TFL) - Texas State was #2 with -432 yards on 102 TFLs (-4.2 yards per TFL).

PSU led Nation in First Downs Surrendered, 151 (12.6 per game) - scUM #2 at 158 First Downs Surrendered (13.2 per game).

PSU was #2 in Nation in Pass Defense YPG (153.6 YPG) - duhO$U #1 at 147.5 (PSU did lead the Nation in fewest Passing TDs Allowed, 7, - duhO$U allowed 8.).

PSU #3 in Nation in Scoring Defense, 11.42 PPG (scUM #1 @ 10.25 and duhO$U #2 at 11.00)

The list goes on and on - PSU is at the top of the list in every major Defensive Category.

This defense reminded me of the great Miami teams of the eighties only better.Catholics vs convicts

 

[Lion_Backer]

These wonderful achievements are actually understated when you take into account those 2 bonehead Franklin 4th down decisions in Penn State territory with 7+ and 4+ minutes remaining against Ohio State and Michigan. These failed attempts resulted in cheap TDs which basically put both games out of reach for Penn State.

The numbers that our defense produced this year were definitely championship caliber.

The second half against Michigan, the defense created multiple 3rd and long situations and were unable to get off of the field.

I'm not trying to discount the questionable in game decisions made on the offensive side of the ball but we needed a Gifto type (incpt. in the Orange Bowl to seal National Championship vs Miami) legendary play from the D and it did not happen.

 

[brupsu]

Time for Manny to cash in. Also, just reinforces how they wasted a championship defense…

Pay the man and hopefully he see’s the great young talent he will have to work with at PSU

 

[Waltwam]

If we weren’t in the toughest division in Major College Football, we would be playing for the CFP

 

[WPTLION]

PSU #3 in Nation in Scoring Defense, 11.42 PPG (scUM #1 @ 10.25 and duhO$U #2 at 11.00)

This stat right here tells you how horrible the Big 10 was after the Big 3. Out of the Big 3 only OSU played a NC game against a ranked team.

I loved how the defense played all year but having the top 3 scoring D's in the nation is a sign.

 

[wilbury]

The numbers that our defense produced this year were definitely championship caliber.

The second half against Michigan, the defense created multiple 3rd and long situations and were unable to get off of the field.

I'm not trying to discount the questionable in game decisions made on the offensive side of the ball but we needed a Gifto type (incpt. in the Orange Bowl to seal National Championship vs Miami) legendary play from the D and it did not happen.

We were leading in that game and Miami needed to make a play. Both OSU and UM, we were behind and our offense showed no signs that they could score. Apples and oranges.

 

[bdgan]

We were leading in that game and Miami needed to make a play. Both OSU and UM, we were behind and our offense showed no signs that they could score. Apples and oranges.

Wrt the Miami game - that's how Joe played. Conservative offense and bend but don't break defense (keep everything in front of you). Diaz certainly doesn't play that way but each approach seemed to work.

Wrt OSU & UM - The PSU offense certainly struggled but I think it's a bit extreme to say there were no signs that they could. Regardless I agree with Lion_Backer who said we needed a Gifto type turnover to win those games and we didn't get it. That's how we beat OSU in 2016 (blocked kick returned for a TD).

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

These wonderful achievements are actually understated when you take into account those 2 bonehead Franklin 4th down decisions in Penn State territory with 7+ and 4+ minutes remaining against Ohio State and Michigan. These failed attempts resulted in cheap TDs which basically put both games out of reach for Penn State.

That is true to a point..O think anyone would get desperate after watching Yurcich strangle our offense for so long.

I think the worst call Franklin made was not in a game but after The Illinois game not firing Yurcich at that point in time.

 

[LMTLION]

That is true to a point..O think anyone would get desperate after watching Yurcich strangle our offense for so long.

I think the worst call Franklin made was not in a game but after The Illinois game not firing Yurcich at that point in time.

In retrospect that would have been the best decision. That is a really tough decision to make in the moment before the two big games of the season. If they still end up in losses Franklin would have taken serious heat for making that change.

 

[Ward Hog]

If the O was better, the D numbers would be far better as well.

 

[LandoComando]

PSU #3 in Nation in Scoring Defense, 11.42 PPG (scUM #1 @ 10.25 and duhO$U #2 at 11.00)

This stat right here tells you how horrible the Big 10 was after the Big 3. Out of the Big 3 only OSU played a NC game against a ranked team.

I loved how the defense played all year but having the top 3 scoring D's in the nation is a sign.

Wasn't Iowa 4? The Big Ten was just so bad after the top 3/4

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

Time for Manny to cash in. Also, just reinforces how they wasted a championship defense…

Just curious, when precisely did you start speaking for Manny???

 

[PSUSignore]

These wonderful achievements are actually understated when you take into account those 2 bonehead Franklin 4th down decisions in Penn State territory with 7+ and 4+ minutes remaining against Ohio State and Michigan. These failed attempts resulted in cheap TDs which basically put both games out of reach for Penn State.