One Last Hoorah

Yinzers,

Well, it's going to be an emotional weekend at Beaver Stadium. This weekend marks the last home football game for the Pennsylvania State University class of 2010, of which yours truly is a part. As of November 13, 2009 MY Nittany Lions hold a record of 37-10 including a Big-10 title (2008), an Outback Bowl win (2006), an Alamo Bowl win (2007) and a heartbreaking loss in the Rose Bowl (2008) for which I flew to sunny, southern California to bear witness. There are too many memories to list on the MSM; however, there are several traditions that will be sorely missed: the drum major's front flip, the Floating Lions pregame show, one armed push ups, touchdown tossing in the stands, crowd surfing the lion, and my personal favorite, singing of the Alma Mater arm-in-arm with people you have never met, yet still are your brothers and sisters on game day. Experiences such as these are what makes Happy Valley what it is. I missed only two games, excluding bowl games, in my 4 years at Penn State. I would not trade the long Saturdays at the stadium in the blistering sun, pouring rain, freezing cold, or dumping snow for anything. But enough sap, let's talk football!


This weekend pits the Indiana football Hoosiers against your Nittany Lions. The Hoosiers come into the contest with a 4-6 (1-5) record in the Big-10. Indiana has not beaten the Nittany Lions in all 12 meetings between the two institutions. The Hoosiers are fighting for bowl eligibility (6 wins) but, in order to get there, they would have to pull off wins at Penn State and Purdue. Indiana does have some hope for at least one year. Junior QB Ben Chappell has the ability to be a very gifted passer and showed it by putting up 300+ yards on Northwestern. This is a big upgrade from Kellen Lewis last year. If the Hoosiers want to run with the big dogs in Happy Valley, their only hope will be to rake in about 6 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries to get enough attempts at the end zone.


As for your Nittany Lions, the key is playing sound, fundamental football. As long as Penn State can do the little things right, there should be no problem in this game. Stefon Green should be back in the lineup after missing a few with an injury. The biggest concern should be staying healthy in this game and finishing strong at Michigan State the week after, not to look ahead. If Penn State can win out, there is an outside chance that we could make it back to the Orange bowl. I just hope we do not overlook this week's game in light of the former sentence.


Elsewhere on campus, across the street more specifically, other Penn State teams' seasons are rolling. The NIT Champion and 65th best team in the nation opens up their 114th season tonight against PENN. The Nittany basketball Lions are getting more and more popular on campus. The future looks bright with the return of guard Taylor Battle in lieu of the loss of power forward Jamelle Cornley. It will be interesting to see if Penn State can fill those shoes under the rim.


On the West side of town, the #1 Penn State women's volleyball team continues to be undefeated even since winning back-to-back national championships. This brings their current match win streak to 90, sitting them 3rd in the record books. Just in case ynz didn't know, the mecca of collegiate volleyball IS Happy Valley. The men's team, a Spring sport, will start off-season tourneys after winning the 2008 national championship.

In closing, game time this weekend is 12:00 pm. Thank you to the football team for adding to my Penn State stories and thank you to the senior class for sticking it out to completion.

For the Glory,
B Brog

The FIFOs Are Coming

Yinzers,

So last night I am sitting on my couch watching "The Dark Knight" on HBO, when Capitan comes through the door with the proposition of "Do you guys want to go to 'the Den' in like 45 minutes?" We look past the fact that he is from Eastern PA on the grounds that he believes the city of Philadelphia is deplorable and the fact that he has yet to catch on to the terms "ynz" and "ahr." So why not? We head down to the Den around 9:30 pm and sit down next to these classy gents that have a case of Rolling Rock ponies. They catch us eye-ing up the ponies, and go ahead and buy a case for us. Three cases later, we find out it was two Anheuser-Busch reps and the owner of the Den. A good time was had by all.


Now it's time to get down to the real thing. This weekend, Nittany Nation hosts the best football team the illustrious state of Ohio has to offer (sarcasm? you be the judge). Ohio State will ride into Beaver Stadium carrying a 7-2 (4-1) record. I tried to find some articles comparing the two teams, but I was not surprised to find every "head-to-head" article to be mostly praising Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes. Yes, they are a very good program and the Big 10 loves them, but number 1, they are from Ohio, and number 2, they have done the same thing the entire Big 10 has done in years past: nothing. It will be interesting to see how the Buckeye defense matches up on the outside with the hot-handed Derek Moye, Chaz Powell and Graham Zug. The keys to the Buckeyes for not having a repeat of last year's defeat: 1. pressure Daryll Clark 2. take care of the football and 3. keep Penn State's defense on the field


As for your Nittany Lions. Once again the deciding factor will be the ability to continue playing their brand of football. As long as the now gelled offensive line can give Daryll Clark time to find the open man, the offense will march right down the field. On the defensive side, Sean Lee, Josh Hull and Navarro Bowman are healthy and thirsty for some Buckeye blood. The biggest key for the Nittany Lions this weekend will actually be keeping Terrelle Pryor inside the pocket. Pryor is fast enough off the edge that when the pocket breaks down, he can scramble better than most quarterbacks in the nation, extending the play and allowing his receivers time to get open. The Nittany Lions' front 7 have to keep him contained inside the pocket, get in his face, and force him to make the costly mistakes he is prone to making.


The Blue Band is making their 3rd attempt to march the Chicago/Earth, Wind, & Fire halftime show. They were scheduled to perform this very show versus Iowa and at Michigan, but both times were unable to do so either due to weather (in State College) or chodes (in Michigan). So I am looking forward to finally seeing this shindig. As for news in State College, there was a Miley Cyrus concert at the Bryce Jordan Center last night. I apologize to any Hannah Montana fans out there, but if you are 16 and already a multi-millionaire, you don't know what this "hard life" and "hard work" your songs talk about really is. Stop letting daddy write your songs and let the people see if you actually do have any talent.


Game time is 3:30 pm on ABC.

For the Glory,
B Brog

Paranormal State College

Yinzers,

Please, remain calm...it's SCARY out there. Halloween has descended its zombified hand upon the town of State College. This weekend is one of the larger, social weekends at the nation's #1 party school. Even during class this entire week, I passed peers who have been gearing up for the day of the dead. Painted faces, dyed hair, and the buzz of "What costume will I wear this weekend" have clouded the already cloudy weather in State College. As with in years past, I expect to see a ton of boob-age this weekend strolling down the street, considering Halloween has turned from an innocent dress-up holiday for children to an "it's ok to look like a whore" day (not that I'm complaining). However, the award for "Best Costume Idea" goes to my room mate, Capitan, for his idea of a costume depicting "a naive asshole" by simply wearing a Snuggie. But there are other things this weekend.


This week, your Nittany Lions travel to Chicago, home of Zalinski Auto Parts, to take on the Wildcats of Northwestern. N-dub comes into the contest at 5-3 (2-2) behind a pass-heavy offense and a runningback-by-committee backfield. Northwestern marquee wins came at Purdue, who upset the Ohio State Chokeyes and at home against Indiana. On paper this season, all fingers point to Penn State to blow this one out of the water. Northwestern's greatest strength has been 3rd down conversions, where they are ranked 6th in the nation clicking at 51.1%. If they want to send even a cool breeze across the necks of Penn State, they will need to feed off of the hometown purple passion and convert every 3rd down they get.


Even if, somehow, zombies erupt from the bowels of Hell in an attempt to spite the Glory of Old State, you cannot compete with the defense at Linebacker U. The #12 Penn State Nittany Lions comes into week 9 of the football season boasting a record of 7-1 (3-1) and the 4th and 9th ranked rush and pass defenses, respectively allowing 79.8 rushing yards per game and 160.5 passing yards per game. The Lions are also ranked nationally in the top 5 in pass efficiency defence (4th @ 91.7), total defense (3rd @ 240.3 ypg), scoring defense (1st @ 8.9 ppg), penalty yards per game (4th @ 35.9 ypg), red zone defense (1st @ 59% stops), and third down conversions (3rd @ 53.6%). All the Nittany Lions have to do is play their game and not give Northwestern the ball on turnovers.


If you are partaking in this weekend's frightful Halloween activities, don't give in to the dark side. Have fun being someone else this weekend. Party hard and get home safe.

For the Glory,
B Brog

computer blew up-pens win

Pens win 6-1 still streaking!
Computer down- hopefully back in full blogging mode by next week.

msm

wade

Burnin' Down The House

Yinzers,

The time is 10:06...and Michigan still sucks. This weekend your Nittany Lions take part in the first of back-to-back road games at Michigan and Northwestern. Although Penn State is looking pretty solid at this point in the year, it is always an ominous and daunting task for the Nittany Lions to travel to the Big House. Although Penn State beat Michigan last season, we have not won at Michigan Stadium since 1996...but that was in the Lloyd Carr era.

The new-look Michigan regime is under the direction of Rich Rodriguez, known for taking West Virginia to a BCS bowl game and then jumping ship before actually playing the game. A real classy gent if I do say so myself. But now he is in Michigan with Tate Forcier, the whitest quarterback to run the spread. The biggest threat of Michigan's offense is simply defending it. Running back Brandon Minor is probable with an ankle injury for this week. If Penn State is to keep Michigan's numbers down this week, they will have to play sound, fundamental defense and not get sucked into play action and options.

For your Nittany Lions this week, there will be no flashes of lightning in the offensive storm. Stephfon Green, Penn State's leading rusher, will be sitting out this game with an ankle injury. This brings sophomore Brandon Beachum into serve as Evan Royster's relief. Hopefully, Green's injury is minor because his 4.3 speed will be sorely missed. As of now, defensive captain Sean Lee is playing this weekend, bringing added strength to the core of Linebacker U's defense. The keys for Penn State this weekend will be to be efficient and not let the athletic Michigan defense get any take-aways. As good as the Penn State defense has been, allowing 7 points or less in 5 of their first 7 games, there always seems to be an enigma surrounding Michigan and the Big House.


The Blue Band will be making the trek to Ann Arbor. Pictured is national champion majorette, Blue Sapphire, PJ Maierhofer, hands down the greatest twirler in the land. The Blue Band will be performing selections from the great bands of Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire. Alternate words to the Michigan fight song are available upon request.


For the Glory,
B Brog

By the way I am blogging here......

Yinzers,

Sorry it has been a full moon cycle since the last blog- but there is much to talk about.

Lets start with Steeler bullshit news. Jeff Reed is up to his shenanigans again, Last week after destroying the Browns for the umpteenth straight time-he goes out on da' south side gets hammered and challenges some of Pittsburgh's finest to a fighting match.

Please Jeff, I like ya but you are heading to Vanderjack-off status with these outbursts of dumb ass-ness.

Steelers Host the Vikings on Sunday, 1pm kick off. Farve in town ,undefeated etc etc etc. Oh wait did I mention Troy is back- that's right that changes everything. Look for that Steeler D to drop a little and beat the Purple People eaters( 31-26) Heckler's prediction.

Oh Brett Stick to kicking the NFC's Ass and see ya in the Supa' bowl.

South Carolina is hosting the Vanderbilt Commodores- for homecoming. If you did not know The vandy candy asses have disrupted the Cocks season for the past two years. Revenge is on the mind of the ole' ball coach who fully impressed me last weekend against #2 Bama in Bama. USC's defense increases with talent from week to week. I look for the Cocks to win a close one.

Penn State( wait till B tells you bout it tomorrow. )

Finally, For the second time in my lifetime A Pittsburgh team has come out of the gates defending a world championship. The Pittsburgh Penguins are on fire, I mean third degree , burn down the house fire. The Champs have started the Season 8-1 with Fluery having a perfect 8-0 record the best of his career. Also members of the Igloo club are pulling for Mr. Kennedy more and more each week. With a third line and Coach Disco Dan the boys of winter are back.

Thank you Mario, and Mr. Shero.

On the Upset alert I have the Louisville Cardinals pulling the huge one on #5 Cinnci, hell I have the Louisville cardinals beating the Bengals this weekend as well.

Rub some dirt in it is going to be a great weekend!

Welcome back me,

Wade

Welcome Home

Yinzers,

For approximately the past 26 hours, mother nature has dumped right around four inches of snow on State College, PA. The Centre Daily Times released the fact that the snowfall on October 15, 2009 is the earliest recorded snowfall in State College since records were written down in the late 1800's. Personally, I am a child of winter and have reverted back to my 6 year old self. Every time I step foot outside and feel the cooling sensation of each unique snowflake on my greasy, Italian face, my day becomes that much better. I remember back to the blizzards we used to have back in the early 90's when my twin brother and I could tunnel through the snow because it was as deep as our young shoulders were tall. This is going to be a homecoming to remember, folks.

First off, I would like to welcome back all of the alumni making the trek to this winter wonderland on Friday. I wish them all a safe trip, especially my family, including that little southern boy they're bringing with them (C Brog), even though they aren't alumni. Homecoming festivities are all day today on campus with rallies, activities and campus tours. The annual Homecoming Parade is tonight at 6:00 pm. It starts at the Intramural building, runs downtown and up to the Recreation building. Hopefully ynz can make it aht.

Oh yea, there's a football game this weekend, too. This year's Homecoming game pits your Nittany Lions against the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. The rodents come into tomorrow's game at 4-2 with a 2-1 record in the Big-10 conference. As compared to years past, the Gophers are playing some good ball, losing only to #8 California and Wisconsin. Quarterback Adam Weber is having a very good year with over 1200 passing yards and a rating of 120.6. The key for Penn State will be getting pressure on Weber early and often.

As for your Nittany Lions, Sean Lee should be back in the lineup this week. All I can really say about Nittany Nation this week is that I hope the same team shows up that showed up the last two weeks in a row. If we can play a complete game such as those, there is no team in the Big-10 that can beat us. Keys for Penn State will be getting pressure on Adam Weber and being efficient with the ball...sound familiar? It's a winning strategy ladies and gentlemen. As for a prediction, I expect this game to be a lot closer than the previous two based on the caliber of the opponent and the snowy conditions.

Go! State! Kill! The Gophers!

For the Glory,

B Brog