Rob's Main Blog

September 27, 2008 - #22 Illinois - 24, #12 Penn State - 38

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:54:00 GMT

#22 Illinois - 24, #12 Penn State - 38

Wow, haven't had a chance to blog in a month, but there is PLENTY to blog about. How about Penn State?!?! 5 - 0 for the first time since 2005 (that magical, just-missed-it year). Well, I'll tell you what. This 08 team is ten times better than the 05 team.

While this game started out a little sluggish, I had little doubt that the offense could not come back. Illinois scored first, Penn State followed. Illinois scored again, PSU countered. It was tit-for-tat like that until the 3rd quarter where we just opened it up. Jordan Norwood was out, so finally Derrick Williams stepped up and played like a superstar - 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD and a kickoff return for a TD. And of course Royster contributed greatly on the ground (139 yards on 19 carries). Clark finished the day 14/20 with 2 TDs, as well as 50 yards and a rushing TD on 11 attempts.

To coincide with this win, which propelled them to #6 in the polls, USC lost to Oregon State (whom we blew away 45-14), Florida lost to Ole Miss, Alabama beat Georgia and Michigan beat Wisconsin. So a big shake up in the top 10, and Penn State finds their way to #6. However, no one is really giving them a shot at this point. Very few think they can run the table, but have faith. This offense is the real deal. Coming into this game they scored 221 points in 4 games. NO OTHER PENN STATE OFFENSE has ever done that!!!

For this game, here are the grades:

Offense: A (wow, did I really put an "A"???)

Defense: B

Special Teams: A

Next up: we travel to Purdue, who are 2-2, but played Oregon very tough.

August 30, 2008 - Coastal Carolina - 10, #22 Penn State - 66

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 22:01:00 GMT

Coastal Carolina - 10, #22 Penn State - 66

The long wait of the summer has finally paid off, and the crashing of pads and crunching of helmets for Penn State is now back! And boy did it come back today! Today's first game of the season proved why I have such high expectations of the team this year. 3 awesome senior receivers; 2 super underclassmen running backs; 2 capable QBs; special teams; the only real question was defense. While the defense did okay today, it was the offense that shined. Wow - did I actually say that? It has been a LONG time since I've been able to say that.

The receivers were great (as usual, as long as they have someone who can throw the ball), and Royster and Green were excellent. We racked up 260 passing yards and 334 rushing yards, not to mention D Williams' 82 yard TD kickoff return. 7 rushing TDs - the first since 2003!

And we finally got to see a good quarter and a half of each QB, Clarke and Devlin. While Clark did fair in passing, his running ability was not featured at all. I was a little disappointed. Overall, I think that Devlin performed much better. He was more accurate, more poised, more of a leader. I think the 2 QB scenario should work nicely this year - run Clark when we need to keep an aggressive defense honest, and use Devlin to pick apart strong pass defenses.

The defense started out a little slow, and were succeptible to across-the-middle passing attack. But if the offense is powered like this, it just might be a 1995 repeat, where we didn't need a strong defense because we simply would outscore everyone. I am surprisingly optimistic now, after having seen the team in action. "But Rob, keep in mind - it was a division 1AA school". Yeah, yeah, I know. Next week's test will be much more reflective of how the team handles itself.

So, my grades for the first game of the year:

Offense: B+ (line needs a little more work)

Defense: B

Special teams: A

Up next week: Pass-happy Oregon State. They put up over 400 passing yards in a 28-36 loss to Stanford, so that will test our defense.

August 12th

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Today is my dad's 79th birthday, although I lost him in 2004. I really miss him. Marring this event was nothing less than harassing phone calls from my fugitive brother. Yes, that's right. Everyone who's been following this epic is wondering...

I will be asking York County Sheriffs department for a mug shot so it can be post on this site and around the internet. Anyone with information as to his where abouts will receive a $5000 reward from me personally, so stay tuned for the mug shot. Apparently he has become too comfortable living as a fugitive. He has a job (which I bet lasts no more than 3 months) and supposedly was almost wed. Haha! Poor woman. If only she knew! Anyways, his slack attitude that he has escaped his fate will be his un-doing. He's used his social security number for a job, and we can track him from that.

Anyways, happy birthday dad!

Live in Concert

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:57:00 GMT

This past Friday I went to see my [currently] favorite band in concert at the Giant Center: LIVE. It was the first concert I'd been to since Tim McGraw and Faith Hill a couple of years ago. Not as good seats, either. In fact, I'm not sure if it was where I sat, but they didn't sound that good. But regardless, I think they put on a good show, and the fans were for the most part pretty electric. I was a little disappointed that they didn't sell out the arena. Highlight of the evening: had to be when they did their version - as Eddie said "a good version of a great song" - Johnny Cash's I Walk the Line. I finally realized where Chris Daughtry got his version he performed on Idol. I remember thinking "that was awesome!" Of course his favorite band is none other than Live also - lol.

2 weeks until NFL preseason!

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:46:00 GMT

That's right, it's not too far away now! NFL Football preseason starts the first week of August, and there's a lot to be on the look out for. I joined one fantasy keeper league and inherited Brett Favre. Do I keep him, or cut him loose? He had a great year last year, but where will he be? Green Bay? Carolina? Atlanta? Chicago? Who knows... I may have to cut him loose. I'm very interested to see how Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco do in preseason.

Our draft for the one league is August 24th, so I should have a good idea of who I want for QB if they're available. Also, for RB. I may want to hazzard a pick on Darren McFadden in Oakland, or Felix Jones in Dallas. I may even be tempted to grab Rasard Mendenhall from Pittsburgh, just in case Fast Willie goes down again. Then there's Deasawn Jackson (WR), the kid from Cal who went to Washington. That may prove interesting.

But anyways, football is right around the corner; time to start gearing up and getting psyched!

2008 NFL Draft complete!

Sat, 03 May 2008 20:45:00 GMT

Yes, you know what that means! Speculation abounds about how these rookies will do this year; who will make an impact and who will fall flat on their face. Only 2 PSU players went in the draft: outstanding LB Dan Connor went to Carolina in the 3rd round, and that wanker CB Justin King went to St. Louis in a late round.

Other notables: Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois), who terrorized Penn State last year for a lot of yards, went to Pittsburgh. That should be very interesting to watch - are they going back to pounding the ball on the ground after Big Ben's AWESOME year last year?!? Miami picked up a bunch of possible play makers including Chad Henne (QB, Michigan). I will be eager to see if he turns out to be their QB part way through the season. The Ravens selected a QB out of Deleware (Joe Flacco) - I suppose that means they didn't really care for their prized pick last year of Ohio State QBTroy Smith - very interesting! BC QB Matt Ryan went to Atlanta - good luck to you dude - lol! Also going to Carolina is the speedy Oregon RB (forget his name at the moment). And joining Jamarcus Russel out in Oakland is Arkansas RB Darren McFadden. Now if they only had some receivers there might be a chance for them this year.

And when Big Ben said he wanted a big receiver to throw to? He didn't get one. Go figure... They did bulk up on defense though, which was definitely a need starting the last half of last season. Anyways, the draft is done, and now the research for the fall and fantasy football can begin! Damn, it's still 4 months away!!!

Fantasy football thus far...

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:28:32 GMT

Well this year in Fantasy Football is at least treating me well. Up until this past weekend, I was #1 in both of my leagues. Unfortunately, a late TD by the Packers in overtime at Denver hosed me, since my opponent had both Favre and Greg Jennings and those 2 boosted him up over 40 points to beat me by 2 miserable points. So I find myself in 2nd in the Delta league, but still a comfortable 1st in the other league. So I'll be hoping that Ron Mexico drops a game or two, but he's been winning steadily for the last 4 weeks...

Rank	Team	W-L-T	Pct	Pts	Streak
1.	Ron Mexico	7-1-0	.875	781.03	W-4
2.	Not a good strategy	6-2-0	.750	817.70	L-1
3.	EVIL EMPIRE	5-3-0	.625	827.25	W-3
4.	The Blackberry Club	4-4-0	.500	732.67	L-2
5.	TEA-4	4-4-0	.500	693.40	W-1
6.	Mizerak	4-4-0	.500	652.23	W-3
7.	Liberal Redneck	4-4-0	.500	636.58	W-2
8.	Delta's Stepchild	3-5-0	.375	600.58	L-2
9.	Secret Harvest	2-6-0	.250	582.24	L-5
10.	No EZ Pass Allowed	1-7-0	.125	625.84	L-3

October 27, 2007 - #1 Ohio State - 33, #25 Penn State - 17

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:08:52 GMT

#1 Ohio State - 37, #25 Penn State - 17

Why do I allow myself to think better of Penn State than what they are?

It's a very simple question, really. Ohio State hadn't "played anyone" yet this year, and I thought the way the offense has been moving the ball the last 2 weeks that things were finally clicking.

Night game at Penn State. 2nd largest crowd EVER. #1 in our sights. The game kicked off, and Ohio State moved the ball down the field and attained a moral victory by scoring a field goal. Ok, fine. Then it was Penn State's turn. We marched right down the field and punched it in for a TD! WOW!!! I had to run outside and howl! That's what I'm talkin' about, right?!

Well, aside from the kickoff return for a TD in the 4th quarter, that early first quarter TD was IT. I don't recall much of the game after Ohio State took a 17 - 7 lead into half time because my alcohol consumption at that point was being fed by the continued ineptitude of both the Penn State offense AND defense. One of the nation's top defenses caughed up yards like they were a high school team that had never played before, and the wheels simply feel off of the offense. I can't explain it. I won't even try. You know how I feel about this situation, but now it's just way too pathetic.

Not to mention that PSU elected to PUNT on the OSU 38 yard line on 4th and 2. That could have gotten them to 17 - 14 at half time, and Penn State could have made their adjustments on defense and come out in the 2nd half and go right down and score and take the lead. But no. Joe has to punt. Asshole. I'm sorry, but the guy has got to go. The inconsistency and ineptitude is a disgrace to the University.

I certainly do hope that the last 3 games prove positive at least. Purdue, Temple and Michigan State. At this point, I think Penn State is suspect against all 3 of those teams! TEMPLE!? Yes, even Temple.

Grades for this week: I'm tempted to hand out Fs, but will refrain for the time being!
Offense: D
Defense: D
Special Teams: B

Next up: Purdue at home. Again, I won't even speculate that we could win this one...

October 20, 2007 - Penn State - 36, Indiana - 31

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:27:20 GMT

Penn State - 36, Indiana - 31

I had a feeling coming into this game that we shouldn't take Indiana lightly, and they prove that to be the case. Indiana had the same 5-2 record as we had going into the game.

Their QB, Kellen Lewis is very young, but looked very good. He will definitely be a threat in the next couple of years. As well, their 6'7" receiver Hardy will also be a major threat. Those two teamed up to riddle our defense and rack up 142 yards and 2 TDs alone. In total, the D gave up 318 yards passing, but only 68 yards rushing. The secondary played soft all day, and Justin King looked as if he had his mind on the post-game party rather than the game itself. The defense did force 4 turnovers, however, and incremented their sack count.

Austin Scott is off the team due to pending rape charges. What a shame - such a promising future this kid had when he first came to PSU, and it's all pretty much gone to hell slowly over 4 years. So carrying the load now is Kinlaw, splitting time with Royster. I really like what I see in Royster. The two, however, combined for a pitiful 134 yards (Royster 68 and Kinlaw 66). Morelli, on the other hand (Mr. Inconsistent indeed!!!) looked like a brand new person. A few bad decisions and throws, but overall looked great - 22 of 32 for 195 yards and 2 TDs, but 1 pick. If this Morelli that we've seen the last 2 weeks shows up the rest of the year, that would be fantastic!

All in all it was a sloppy win, but a win nonetheless. The D needs to stiffen up against the pass, and the offense needs to finish the job inside the red zone. Had we not benefited from the 4 turnovers, this game may have gone the other way. That's worrysome. So my grades for this week are:

Offense: B
Defense: B-
Special Teams: B

Next up: The big one! Ohio State, ranked #1, is coming to State College for a night game. (We climbed back into the top 25 at #25 in the BCS, a little higher in the other polls). Last time they played there was also a night game, and the house was rocking!!! That was the year with Michael Robinson, and we won 17-10 (the last time Ohio State lost in the regular season, over 2 years ago!!!) OSU narrowly escaped with a victory last week over Michigan State. Looking at the statistics, it looks like OSU ran and passed all over Michigan State, but the score oddly enough was 24-17. We'll need the defense to play the best game of their careers against OSU's rushing attack, as well as the QB with the highest rating in the Big Ten. And offense will need to balance attack pass and run (and the Morelli we saw the last 2 weeks needs to show up). When it's all said and done, I think we can knock them off.

My political views, in a nutshell

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:55:00 GMT

Very funny! I have recently added a facebook profile since Tacit has created a little interactivity of illumio with facebook. While on facebook I found this application called "takeastand" which defines a serious of issues and allows you to comment on. Here is, in a nutshell, my political views on the topics presented:

2008 Presidential Candidates: We need an economically-savvy business person combined with a military general.

Party: Yes, and frequently!

No, seriously the party system is pathetic. Call me an idealist... Why do we bind ourselves to published beliefs and ideals, and then vote certain ways simply because of that's our party line. Do what's right for the people. Let the PEOPLE TELL YOU what's right. I am not electing someone whose ideals I want to adopt - I want you to represent me! Hear my voice! "...a government of the people, by the people, and for the people" - not individuals!!!

Abortion: For now: only in instances of rape or incest. However, if you're on welfare or otherwise unfit to have children, you should be provided free contraceptives, rather than burdening other responsible Americans with your irresponsibilities.

Affirmative Action: The most qualified person for the job, no questions asked. No preferential treatment, no nepotism, no good old boy network. If you earned it, you've earned it!

Capital Punishment: Public hangings - it's effective and cheap (you can re-use the rope).

Censorship: No comment...

Cuba: It's a beautiful island! Invade it, take it over, and make it another state. Allow casinos and hotels to colonize it, and tax it to the max as a luxury get-away.

Current Administration (Bush/Cheney): Idiots... But then most administrations have been.

Current Congress: Ummm, I think the term we use is "Representatives". So why are these people expressing their own opinions?????!!!!!!

Education: This country needs a focus on it! How can we stay competitive in the global marketplace if we don't have a quality educational environment? If an individual does NOT gradutate from high school, they should perform one year of public service. Secondary education should be required, and at least a 2 year technical degree.

Electoral College: Disband it and go with the popular vote. Who ever designed such a horrible system?!?! (I know who designed it, just wanted a sarcastic, rhetorical statement).

Flag Burning: Burning the flag is done when it is no longer service-able. If a flag is burnt in protesters in the U.S., those individuals doing so should become the "guest" of the state in which they are protesting for a minimum of 30 days.

Foreign Policy: "Nuke 'em till they glow, then shoot 'em in the dark." Don't mess with us, or we will strategically take out city by city in your country until you have no one left. Sorry, but that's how I feel...

Free Trade: Absolultely! Get economic activity jumping, get the dollar interacting with the Yen which interacts with the Euro! You want a global economy? Get free trade!!!

Gay Rights: Dont even ask...

Global Warming: Keep the emissions of nasty gases down... Fine (10 times more than we do now) companies that violate these laws. Pump money into research and development of new technologies that reduce impact on the environment, and legislate adoption of these technologies.

Globalization: When we have a stable global economy, this may be practical. Now? Forget it!!!

Gun Control: The U.S. Constitution allows all citizens the right to bear arms. However, should one have been convicted of a crime, regardless of the degree, that person's right to carry a firearm should be with-held.

Healthcare: Affordable and universal: limit doctor salaries, insurance company profits and medical-legal related costs. Pump R&D money into companies to provide state of the art treatments!

Illegal Immigration: See foreign policy...

Marijuana Legalization: Hmmm - let me think on that one. Maybe if it were taxed at a premium, I'd consider it.

Media Bias: The media is what it is - how can one counteract it?

Minimum Wage: A happy medium between what the economy is demanding and enterprise is able to supply. This should be regulated much the same way as interest rates, not by politicians that have no idea what it takes to make ends meet.

Network Neutrality: Huh?

Outsourcing: Outsource to your own country, not to people that work for $1 / day and deliver inferior quality results. Overseas outsourcing is rubbish.

Right to Die: Absolutely. As I tell my kids: "you can die for your country at 18, but can't drink a beer untill you're 21." Does that make any sense???

School Prayer: Definitely, we could use a little prayer...

Rank	Team	W-L-T	Pct	Pts	Streak
1.	Gunz Wanks	6-2-0	.750	862.80	W-1
2.	STP! Is A Dick!	5-3-0	.625