The Transcendence of Sport

As my wife and I sat amongst the other 104,000-plus Penn State fans after last night's come-from-behind triumph over Northwestern, I couldn't help but be engulfed by the enormity of it all.  We had witnessed history, and, as the camera flashes exploded around the stadium, I knew that everyone there wanted to capture a piece of it, a momento to take with them forever.  After all, we had witnessed an amazing comeback, a victory stolen in a game spiraling toward failure.  Instead, the Nits, driven by the fearless play of a never-say-die, former walk-on QB, rose up with a fire and heart reminiscent of Joe Paterno's life. 

It was eerie how this win happened, too, almost as if it were fated.  The Wildcats controlled the ball--and the game's tempo--early on, and, after the purple-clad visitors went up by three scores, I couldn't help but feel that a repeat beatdown, like that handed out by Illinois, was in the works.  I even said to my wife near the end of the first half, "If we don't score here and Northwestern scores again after the half, we're out of here."  And fans around me seemed to feel the same way, calling for better coaching, better play calling, and better athletes.  If nothing else, we're a fickle bunch, we modern college football fans, satiated by nothing less than a win. 

Instead, we were given a lesson and a reminder. We were given a lesson about heart and tenacity, even in the face of incredible adversity.  And we were given a reminder of why we, 104,000-plus fans, had come to the Beav on that day and why innumerable others watched on TV sets around the country.  We wanted to watch JoePa attain this glorious milestone because we love what he stands for, how he built this program, and his selfless devotion to his athletes.  But to be totally honest, we were there for ourselves, too.  We wanted to share in the glory and be lifted up with Joe and the Lions after the win.  And that's why we're so fickle...because we feel as if we have an investment here, too.  A PSU loss is a loss for us, too, and so we gripe and boo and complain when things don't go our way.  But then a blue-collar West Scranton kid, a kid who just wants to win and have fun, came to the rescue and lifted his team, his aging coach, and all of Nittany Nation on his back. And he was the reminder of why we love sports, for in his actions we saw that which we hope to embody.  We saw his passion, his persistence, and his excitement, and we shared in the moment.  We were a part of the team and experienced their highs and elation.   For a few fleeting moments last night, who we were in our regular lives, the challenges we faced, and the despair we might face didn't matter.  We were winners, JoePa was our coach, and we loved every second of it.   Such is the transcendence of sport. 

For a related link, see this clip from Vision Quest that discusses the transcendence of sport.

Nitt Pickers Points--Northwestern

Here's the rundown of important points leading to the Northwestern game.  All of these are vital to the Nits securing win #6 for the team.

1)  Will attaining win #400 for JoePa mean anything to the Lions?  Will it spur them to a good game?  Or will it prove to be a monkey on their backs?

2)  Can the Lions come out excited like last weekend?  I don't think I've seen them as pumped up and loose as I saw them last Saturday night during pre-game.  They'll need that same fire to continue improving.

3)  Can the O-line continue its progress?  If they can and are able to get Royster going, then the offense becomes a much more dangerous, more balanced group.  Todd Blackledge said it best last week:  "A good running game is a quarterback's best friend, especially a young quarterback." 

4)  Can Devon Still and the defensive line get pressure on and contain NW's cagey QB (Dan Persa)?  Still made some nice plays last week and seems to be showing some improvement.  Can he and the D-line continue to get better?

5)  Will this be the week we see K.Fortt in his new role as stand-up DE? 

6)  Can the defense continue to tackle better?  I think starting Chaz Powell over Stephon Morris was a great move.  Morris is undersized and seems to avoid contact whenever possible.  Powell is a more natural DB with better size and probably better speed.  Keep the best athletes on the field--and while we're at it...let's see more Hodges and less of some of the older, slower LB's. 

There's no doubt that this week will be a test.  Pat Fitzgerald is a good coach and someone who can inspire players.  He does well with limited talent, and his tenacity carries over to this team.  Just look at how well they played us last year for the first half--and we were a much bettter team then.  If Penn State shows up again this week--like they did last week--it should be a fun game to watch!

Mac Attack

That's right, Mac attack, as in McGloin, the unassuming hero of PSU's exciting win over Michigan this past Saturday.  In the game, McGloin proved all doubters, including Kirk Herbstreit, wrong (and, humorously, calling out Herbstreit after the game to give the manicured talking head a little taste of crow) by throwing for over 250 yards and a touchdown and, more importantly, committing no turnovers.  So impressive was McGloin's command of the offense that many fans in Nittany Nation, including this one, wonder if he is not the answer for this team.  All season we've watched Rob Bolden's strong arm and impressive physical tools, and all season the offense struggled, seeming lifeless at times.  But with McGloin, there's a spark, a sense of life that seems missing with Bolden.  I often find myself believing that McGloin can lead the team to succeed, even in difficult situations.  He did, after all, help a woeful Red-Zone offense convert six of seven Red-Zone trips into points (all but one of which were TD's).  The only time he didn't lead an offensive conversion was at the end of the game when PSU took a knee in the Victory formation. I find myself feeling confidence in this kid, and it seems that the team feels that way, too.  Granted, the two games in which he's played have been against the two worst defensese in the Big Ten, but the kid's got moxie, and that can't be denied. I said before that he reminds me of Zack Mills in his earlier years, and I think he brings the same confidence and mentality.  I'm okay with Rob Bolden coming back as the starter, but if he struggles, I hope the coaches remember that we have a ringer on the bench!

Oh yeah, my only question is this...what does this mean for Paul Jones and Kevin Newsome?  I can't imagine they stay at PSU with such two good prospects ahead of them.  I did hear that Delaware will have an opening for a QB after this year...just in case they need a place to go.

Nits Gopher Out a Win

Despite their porous defense and their freshman quarterback sidelined with a concussion, the Nits eked out a much-needed win over lowly Minnesota last Saturday.  The hero for the day was Matt McGloin, the Rudy-esque former walk-on who entered the game and threw two touchdown passes to Derek Moye.  Nittany Lion faithful had to feel good for McGloin; his heroics may have even reminded some of Zach Mills' efforts in helping another weak Nittany Lion club beat favored Ohio State back in 2001.  McGloin brings that same kind of energy and determination, even if he lacks the physical gifts many of his peers possess.  Such a trait is an intangible that some of McGloin's teammates are lacking.  Some people call it swagger; some call it guts; Paterno himself has a name for it:  "Moxie." 

Nittany Lions fans could feel good for at least a day as their team won a game it was supposed to win--finally.  So now the team--and all of us who follow it--are left to look ahead.  With Michigan and their dangerous dual-threat quarterback Denard Robinson on the horizon, we are left to wonder how this win will affect the Nittany Lions, who now post a 4-3 record.  Will they use this win as a springboard for the latter half of the season, or will it just be a game they won?  Those of us who follow the Nits and love them sorely hope that the win provided some badly needed confidence and fire for a tough stretch run.  The schedule doesn't get any easier after Michigan, either.  There are no gimmes ahead, and for this team to be competitive it must improve upon what has always been its calling card:  defense.  If there isn't improvement defensively, then we fans can expect a campaign that is likely below .500 and without a bowl.  It may be the price we have to pay, though, for a better future.  With all the young players getting quality PT, there has to be a silver lining.  All we need to do is be patient...which is always easier said than done. 

Hoo! Hoo!

Or maybe it should be Who?  Who?  as in who will step up and be a leader for this team.  Certainly, it hasn't been Evan Royster (though, I'm still hoping he breaks out of this funk and shows some life).  This team has talent, albeit young talent, but the potential is there.  What's missing is cohesion, leadership, and fire...three important attributes to allowing this team to meet that potential. 

With an improved Temple lying in wait, can we overcome these shortcomings and come together as a team?  I'd love to see this weekend be a breakout game ala Minnesota 2005 or Wisconsin 2008.  That would set us up nicely for the tough start of league play that lies ahead. 

No matter what, I want this team to play to its potential...not below it.  Do it for State, boys!

Go, Lions!

PSU, After Game 3

Well, game #3 is history, and what have we learned:

1)  Rob Bolden, though showing flashes of great potential, is still a freshman.  His poise and demeanor might suggest otherswise, but his decision-making is sometimes suspect.  At times he throws into coverage (ala A. Morelli), and he seems to need more trajectory on deep balls.  Overall, though, I'm excited about him!  He does make everything look effortless.

2)  Our defense is worse than I expected.  The linebacking corps seems slow, and the best athletes at linebacker don't play enough.  Additionally, we lack the experience and killer on the d-line that I thought we'd have (and by which we've all been spoiled).  And how much do we miss those experienced punters we had the last few years!  And what happened to our "sure tackling" skills?  That is usually a strength, not a weakness.

3)  Why do we insist on putting slow, less athletic people at safety?  A journalist suggested putting Powell at one cornerback and moving Danton Lynn to safety.  Immediately we gain speed in the secondary.  And we are pretty deep at receiver, with or without Powell.  I wish the coaches thought that way.

4)  Evan Royster has been a real force the last few years...what's up with him?  He may not get many touches in the weeks ahead if his "slump" continues. 

Overall, as the season goes forward, I have more concerns rather than less.  I still hold out hope and believe we will improve, but we could end up 9-3...or just as easily 5-7.  I'm hoping for the former but wouldn't be surprised by the latter.  The good news is that with so much youth getting quality PT, we should have brighter years ahead.

Either way, I'm here to cheer for the Lions!  Go, State!

PSU vs. Alabama

This week the Lions head to the land of the Crimson Tide to take on the defending national champs?  Can the young Nits and their venerable coach find a way to stay in the game...or will they get their doors blown off.  Conventional wisdom favors the latter, but Paterno had traditionally found ways to keep his teams "in the game," even when they didn't belong there.   Nittany Nation can only hope that is the case this week.  Either way, it will be a great learning experience for the young Lions!

Go, Lions!