Or was it a sign more troubling times could be ahead in Happy Valley? “This is where I want to be”. “So we knew there were going to be some challenges”. They had a coach who did it right (TM). Regardless of the disadvantage, Penn State was able to play the Dukes to a 1-1 draw using a Connor Maloney goal in the 10th-minute of the match.
Fast forward to last Saturday.
With plenty of optimism around the Nittany Lions through the offseason, with hopes for a bounce-back season for a hyped National Football League prospect in Hackenberg and an improved offensive line, the Penn State offense looked even worse than last season in Saturday’s trip to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Penn State could have played Tom Brady at quarterback Saturday and still not beaten Temple.
This was a beating.
Earlier this summer, Big Ten analyst (and former Penn State all-American) Matt Millen called adapting to Hackenberg (and not vice versa) the key to Franklin’s offensive philosophy in Year 2. “The guys that are backing them up are redshirt freshmen that we don’t feel, at the time, are ready…” The way Penn State was dominated by a Temple team that last won the intrastate matchup when Joe Paterno was just a teenager.
And with a fierce defensive line that could emerge as one of the country’s best, Temple has a chance to evolve into a sneaky squad that can shock more high-profile programs.
On the heels of facing a quarterback of Hackenberg’s caliber, Cincy’s Gunner Kiel is another player Rhule has to plan for and attack. Temple went 22-88 in the 1990s, 34-83 in the 2000s (with a 9-4 mark under Al Golden in 2009 burnishing that). Coach James Franklin offered a hilarious explanation.
This is a legitimate criticism.
However, following Saturday’s 27-10 loss to Temple, there will not be an apology offered to those Hackenberg supporters who blasted me for pointing out that his production over his first two seasons in State College has been atrocious, and that claiming he’d be the top overall pick in the draft was comical.
Pressured all day and seemingly unable (or willing) to stretch the field through the air, Penn State managed just 191 total yards and didn’t score after the 6:34-mark of the first quarter.
The Owls tied the game on their second drive on the second half. The only way it is bad is if we come out slow next week.
For all this talk of program building, Franklin never really took Vanderbilt to the heights he’s often credited with reaching.
And although Hackenberg wasn’t helped by shoddy protection up front, he didn’t put forth a performance that inspired confidence.
His most impressive completion of the game may have been his first, a strong throw to his left on a deep out that demonstrated the anticipation and velocity scouts are looking for.
Even Franklin’s authenticity-his trademark when trying to fire up the fan base-has been questioned.
If these Penn State coaches can’t find a way to operate putting him in the best possible situation, then they will have done him a grave injustice. He loved the camera, absolutely. “We have to be positive and learn from this”. “There was a little bit of acting going on”. Ten sacks allowed by Penn State.
Franklin won’t be fired this year, nor should he be.
Temple imposed its will over the game’s final three quarters, with a goal-line touchdown run from P.J. Walker serving as the game’s go-ahead touchdown.
RUTGERS 63, NORFOLK STATE 13: In Piscataway, New Jersey, Leonte Carroo caught three third-quarter touchdown passes after sitting out a first-half suspension as the Scarlet Knights overcame the distractions of an academic investigation and the dismissal of five arrested players.