Akron - 7, #9 Penn State - 31

Opening day of PSU football for 2009 - WOO HOO!  Ok, so Penn State gets the opening kick off and the freshman Smith returns it for a nice gain to start off.  Then, the offense lines up in typical run formation.  Gee, who would have guessed it - a run for the first play (first X plays) right?  NO!  Play action pass for a huge gain - WOW!  The first series was absolutely awesome!  Drove right down and nailed a TD.  Not sure what happened to the offense after that first series, though.  They seemed to have sputtered.  The running game (Royster was 14 carries for 61 yards and a TD) seemed a little weak.  And the new field goal kicker missed not one, but TWO field goals!  On defense, the front 7 was just amaizing, but the secondary didn't get much of a test.  So, I'm still waiting to see how a strong pass attack will treat this secondary.  Over all, not bad, even if it was lowly Akron.  That's why we play the non-conference games, to get ready for the more worthy opponents. 

Do I have big expectations for the team this year?  Yep, I think so.  We'll see how Ohio State, who struggled against Navy (yes, I said NAVY), does against USC next week.  In other Big Ten news, Michigan handled Western Michigan by the same score, 31-7.  They'll play Notre Dame next week - lol.

So, grades for the week?

Offense: B-

Defense: A+

Special Teams: D

Coaching: C

Up next week: Syracuse