Eastern Illinois

Here's a post that is long overdue. Sorry about the delay folks, have just been a bit busy with wedding planning, paperwork, etc. But once October 24th comes, which will be the big day for me and my future wife, I will leave you guys hanging for a week and pick the blog back up on November 1st. But as for now, I will continue to blog until the 24th, and hopefully keep all of you updated on my thoughts on College Football.

As for Eastern Illinois, the review is simple, we beat them hard, we beat them bad. This has to have been the most complete game of the year that the Lions have played. They ran the ball well, the passed the ball well, and the defense made big plays. There's not too much to critique about this game, especially because it was an FCS opponent, but it was great to see the younger guys get out there and get some repititions.

What I would like to talk about is the upside. The fact that the team came out with a goal, believed in it, and accomplished it. That's one thing that has been different about this year's team from last year. Last year, we came out onto the field with a goal and that goal was to control the game from the get go and our team got after it. This year, there have been glimpses of that attitude, but I feel as if this team is finally getting its confidence back. With wins over Illinois and Eastern Illinois serving as those confidence boosters, which is what worries me, but this week will be an indicator of that mentality and how we will handle ourselves for the rest of the season.

Other than that, look for a good football game to be played this weekend against a good Minnesota football team. Most interesting matchup this weekend will be our secondary versus their wide receivers. Here is what to look for this weekend:

-Penn State getting the short game going early through the running game and some short screens in order to control the tempo of the game. Watch as they start to move the ball downfield with this method.
-I would look for Penn State to take a few shots downfield as another interesting matchup is our receivers vs. their secondary.
-Look for Gerald Hodges and Sean Stanley to get more reps with the first team defense and work their way into the defensive rotation
- Look for AJ Wallace to be assigned to cover Eric Decker, whichever side he lines up on expect Wallace to line up directly over him and try to shut him down.
- Royster will get his next 100 yard rushing effort of the year
-Also, if Clark is under more pressure, look for him to run the ball a few more times than usual and expand the play.

Final Score
Penn State 41
Minnesota 24


WE ARE...............