Long year for Joe Pa

[pwdennis]

After watching the UCF - Penn State Game won by PSU 27-24 either (1) UCF is going to be one heck of a team or (2) Penn State is in for a long season.

I do think UCF got jobbed a little on the officiating getting one break (a favorable spot on a 3rd down play) but getting two bad calls against them (a non-call on PSU's defensive pass interference, and a UCF touchdown ruled as an incomplete)

Paterno left the Penn State first team in for the whole game

[soxfan121]

Joe Pa has had trouble recruiting and is obviously closer to retirement than he is his peak. That said, there is no coach I would rather have my kid play for than Joe Paterno.

I missed the game, so I can't comment specifically, but I've gotta guess that PSU is again in for a long season.

[JamesI]

It's sad to see Penn State struggle so now. I still believe they should have won some of the championships in the 90's but got screwed by the system.

[pathogan]

Originally posted by JamesI
It's sad to see Penn State struggle so now. I still believe they should have won some of the championships in the 90's but got screwed by the system.


sad to say, they havent been the same since sandusky left, either.

[Craig S.]

I think Joe Pa has had a great career, but he's stayed past his time. Not that his coaching abilities have greatly diminished, but I just don't think he can recruit kids well anymore. I think it's time to leave with his legacy still intact, and let the next era begin at PSU.

I think their next game is against Nebraska, which should give us a clearer picture of the Lions' abilities than did that win over CFU.

[rcartman28]

I love Paterno, but it just seems like he doesn't have the horses anymore. If they can beat Nebraska, though, they'll be alright. But Nebraska didn't look all that good against Arizona State, either....

[KCBOOMER]

Sadly it is time for Joe Pa to go to pasture. A man his age has too much of a recruiting liability. You can just here the other recruiters; "Why go to Penn State? You know Paternos will be gone before you are done."

You hate to see legendary figures hang on too long.

[VNV Nation]

I agree. I'm not much of a college football fan but I do root for Penn State. I'd like to point out that, like Mike K. at Duke, Paterno during the 1990s won a lot of games with guys who didn't go on to become pro stars (D.J. Dozier, Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter anyone?).

When you have a guy who's that legendary, bigger than the school really, you can't tell him it's time to go.

Lou Holtz deserves a lot of praise for leaving Notre Dame after he tied Knute Rockne.

[Skip]

Originally posted by VNV Nation
When you have a guy who's that legendary, bigger than the school really, you can't tell him it's time to go. Having recently lived through the painful ouster of Denny Crum (exact same situation as JoePa, just basketball not football), I agree with this. It's hard, polarizing, and demoralizing to have to push someone out the door.

But it helps immensely if you have Rick Pitino waiting in the wings.

Would a hot young stud be enough for Penn State to push out Paterno, or would it have to be some proven guy coming back from the NFL? Maybe if Spurrier flames out at DC this year, he can pull a Pitino and go to Penn State.

More importantly, would Spurrier replacing Paterno be the last sign of Armageddon?

[VNV Nation]

Uh, I'd rather not think about hot, young studs. But Skip, if you're interested, I can send ya some of my spam mail.

[Whohangs]

Is it only Penn State who has declined? I think the Big Ten has declined across the board the last couple of years. In addition to Penn State, Ohio State has had disappointing seasons, Michigan has not been the powerhouse of years past and last year's Big Ten teams were miserable in the Bowl Games. This year, granted Michigan and Ohio State are ranked in the Top 10 in the polls, I'm not sure how strong those teams really are and am hard pressed to consider either a national championship candidate. Watching Northwestern getting pasted and Illinois losing to Missouri this past weekend wasn't encouraging either. :(

(Add to all this the shambles that is Notre Dame.)

I think the Big Ten as a whole have been unable to recruit well when compared to other conferences, especially the speed that the other conferences are putting on the field.

I'm a big Joe Paterno fan and think he still has it in him to recruit a good class and put some excellent seasons together. I think the Big Ten has been playing catch up the last two years as a whole, but they will eventually catch up. :)

[pwdennis]

I may have been premature in starting this thread. After watching Penn State dismantle Nebraska last night, I'd have to say either
(1) Nebraska was horribly overrated, or
(2) Penn State just took a few weeks to get their act together


Either way , here's a tip of the Hatlo Hat to Joe Pa !

[JamesI]

I loved Penn State over Nebraska! That ruled! Maybe Joe P. isn't done yet.

[Ytown Tribe fan]

Oh yeah!

That's going to make my Buckeyes look even better when they roll into Ann Arbor undefeated.

[Gosfgiants]

Originally posted by JamesI
I loved Penn State over Nebraska! That ruled! Maybe Joe P. isn't done yet.

He can surprise you. I've been following Penn State since I was a wee lad. We lived in State College for year so when I was about six. I watched a good chunk of last night's game. I could not believe the Nittany Lions were passing as much as they did. Penn State with a dominant passing game. I thought that was reserved for Florida State.

[Skip]

Originally posted by Ytown Tribe fan
Oh yeah!

That's going to make my Buckeyes look even better when they roll into Ann Arbor undefeated. ... and get waxed. Sorry YTown, perhaps this is the year we get that signature win that gets me off of the WoeDespairCooper train to heck, and back into a positive frame of mind.

[rcartman28]

Way to go, Joe!!!

[pathogan]

not as long as Frank Solich...man is this guy getting smoked lately!!!!!!!!!Go Joe

[KCBOOMER]

The Nittany Lions just kicked some Husker butt. I'll bet Solich is really on the hot seat in Lincoln.

Also the new Nebraska unies just suck.

[qtlaw]

Never was a big JoePa fan nor a Linebacker U fan, just too damn fundamental and not enough style. However, as a former Sooner fan (bring back Joe Washington and his silver cleats), I absolutely despise the Huskers, originators of the perpetual 8 at home, 3 away schedule. Thank goodness for Happy Valley in prime time. Now we will not have to hear about the pretendors who never play a tough game out of conference away. As a commentator wrote today, nothing sadder than seeing the Huskers run the option down 26 and getting rolled, beautiful, way to adjust to the new century.

[TGwynn19]

42-35 IN HAPPY VALLEY!!!! ALL I CAN SAY IS::beer: :cool2: :loud: :smokin: :hooray: :shockbig: :rockon: :hscheer: and for hmrsf:bounce:



GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pwdennis]

Maybe I should have captioned this thread "Long year for Nebraska after yeterday's events

[hmrsf]

I thought "happy valley" is UMASS Amhest.

Thanks TG for the :bounce:

[Skip]

Originally posted by pwdennis
Maybe I should have captioned this thread "Long year for Nebraska after yeterday's events Yeah, but it may be a short one for Solich if he wanders around Lincoln without a bodyguard or twelve.

[pwdennis]

Looks like I owe Paterno an apology. A 9-3 record is nothing to be ashamed of, plus he may have produced the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner

[sweaver]

Yep, a #10 ranking is nothing to sneeze at.

[Craig S.]

I credit Paterno with a great year, but Larry Johnson would be a poor choice for the Heisman.

So he racked up big numbers against the likes of Northwestern, Louisiana Tech, Indiana and Michigan State. Meanwhile, in their 3 games against teams with defenses - Michigan, OSU and Iowa - he managed only 210 yards. Not coincidentally, they lost those games.

I think the Heisman should go to a guy who exhibits great peformances against strong opponents. Johnson didn't do that this season. If the Heisman goes to a running back, it should be Willis McGahee of Miami.

[TGwynn19]

Originally posted by Craig S.


I think the Heisman should go to a guy who exhibits great peformances against strong opponents.



Sounds like you would vote for Brad Banks!!!:)

[Craig S.]

Originally posted by TGwynn19
Sounds like you would vote for Brad Banks!!!:)

Too bad Iowa didn't finish the year against Ohio State. A win there might have put Banks' name in people's minds. As it is, I think he'll be largely ignored in voting outside the Big 10.