Gameday - Oct. 10th

Holding on to hope

Nittany Lions host Wildcats for annual homecoming game

Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:

Neil:

I am home from the game, and I can’t believe what I just saw.

Beyond the fact that they kept the wrong quarterback, and their coordinators can’t seem to get their games called correctly, I saw a team that was just beaten up.

The biggest problem for me was that they were physically bullied on both sides of the ball. No real pressure and no running lanes. And the little things. The body language was awful.

On the way home my daughter asked me if I was going to donate to public radio.

I told her I was, but now will be donating to help pay for Franklin’s buyout instead.

Steve Abrams Los Angeles

Steve: Good news for NPR.

Neil:

With the game on the line, fourth-and-2, and only seconds left in the game, PSU came up with a terrible call.

It appears multiple linemen missed blocks.

I like my chances with Kayron Allen, who was not in the game. In two weeks, a national contender drops out of the Top 25.

Bill Obert, Bedford

Bill:

Look out below.

Neil:

How long before Penn State’s projected high-draft picks decide

PENN STATE MAILBAG

Rudel vs. the oddsmakers

Line: Penn State is a 22.5-point favorite.

Inside the line: In their last 10 matchups, Lions are 8-2 overall and 7-3 vs. spread … NW is 3-2 vs. spot this season but 0-1 on the road .. Nits are 1-5 vs. number in their last six October games … Over-under is 48.5 …

Total has gone over in PSU’s last six games and four of Wildcats’ last five on the road. (Source: Odds Shark).

Prediction: Penn State 29, Northwestern 6

Prediction record: 3-2

PSU record vs. spread: 1-4

Prediction record vs. spread: 3-2

to forgo the remainder of the season to focus on the draft?

Mark Patla, Trappe

Mark:

The “projected high-draft picks” are playing themselves into the second or third day.

Neil:

When Franklin’s agent inevitably stirs up the “Florida Gators want James Franklin” rumors, wouldn’t it be refreshing if Pat Kraft simply said, “Then let them have him?”

If the swamp really wants him, let him wade right in.

Sheila:

Sheila Riley, Altoona

You’re right that James’ name will start getting dropped.

But he may want to know that in addition to what will be a nine-game SEC schedule, note that Florida’s non-conference schedule this year includes Miami and Florida State.

Hi, Neil:

Can Mr. Teflon survive this debacle?

Did Jim Knowles lose his

way (like umpteen other coordinators) when he came within Franklin’s aura?

Time for a shakeup.

Larry Eisman Conshohocken

Hi, Larry:

I think the chase of Knowles and poaching him from Ohio State was more fun than the catch.

Neil:

I have always given Franklin the benefit of the doubt, but those days are over.

The new coordinators that Franklin brought in sure haven’t lived up to the hype.

Penn State deserves better — starting with Franklin.

Leo Finney Freeland, Michigan

Leo:

I’m sensing a consensus building.

Neil:

“Maybe the best set of coordinators in college football”…I guess not.

“Maybe a first-round draft

pick quarterback”…I guess not.

“Maybe the best offensive line in the country”…I guess not.

“Maybe the best two running backs in college football”…I guess not.

“Maybe the best defensive line in the land”…I guess not.

“Maybe the most creative offensive mind in football”…I guess not.

“Maybe a big improvement at wide receiver”…I guess not.

“Big Game James”…I guess so.

Rick Houseknecht Dunnstown

Rick:

The kickers have been good.

Neil:

Tough loss. But I’ll still be a loyal fan, come ALLAR high water.

Joe Kerestan, Duncansville Joe:

Nice play on words.

Neil:

Next game, start Ethan Grunkemeyer and play him for at least three quarters.

Bring in Drew Allar in for the fourth if needed.

Ed Brown, Hughesville

Ed:

Too soon.

Even though some would say it already is, I don’t see that scenario until the season is absolutely lost.

Neil Rudel will respond to brief questions and comments in Gameday. You can email him at nrudel@altoonamirror.com and follow him on Twitter@neilrudel.

NORTHWESTERN (3-2) AT PENN STATE (3-2)

KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m.

Saturday

WHERE: West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium

RANKINGS: Neither Penn State nor Northwestern is ranked in the most recent AP Top 25, with the NIttany Lions plummeting out of the rankings after being ranked 7th last week. PSU is ranked 22nd in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

COACHES: James Franklin is 104-44 in his 12th season at Penn State with a 128-59 overall record. David Braun is in his third season coaching the Wildcats and holds a 15-15 record during that time. (Source: sports-reference.com)

SERIES HISTORY:

The Nittany Lions lead the alltime series with the Wildcats, 16-5, and have won the last three meetings (2017, 2022, 2023).

TV: Fox Sports 1 (Connor Onion, play-by-play; Mark Helfrich, color)

RADIO: ESPN Radio 1430

WVAM. Steve Jones and Jack Ham handle call, beginning at 2 p.m. The game also is carried locally on ESPN Radio 1450 WQWK, WBUS-FM (93.7), WLUI-AM (670), WLUI-FM (92.9), WZBF-FM (106.1), WDBF-FM (106.3), WKSB-FM (102.7), STAR-FM (100.9), WAYC-AM (1600).

MIRROR GAME BREAKDOWN

Chris Masse analyzes the matchups vs. Northwestern

PENN STATE NORTHWESTERN

Just a few weeks ago, I remember a brilliant man saying the perpetual slow PSU starts will cost it eventually. Two straight weeks that has been the case. Everything about this unit is average. We were told all offseason how dynamic the offense would be. Wrong. The line is mediocre, Drew Allar has regressed, so have the backs, and the receivers seem over-hyped.

QB Preston Stone helped ignite the SMU renaissance, which led to a 2024 playoff appearance. He threw for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns during a 10-2 season. He opened his Northwestern career, though, with a four-pick dud against Tulane. Keep an eye on Dashun Reeder, who is averaging 11.4 yards per carry. He ripped off a 79yard run against Oregon.

Can PSU get a refund on the Jim Knowles hire? UCLA was two touchdowns from matching its point total through four games. One would think Troy Aikman, JJ Stokes and Maurice Jones-Drew were out there for the Bruins. After Oregon went 5-for-7 on fourth downs, UCLA was 10-of-16 on third down.

Wildcats allow only five more yards per game than PSU and stymied UCLA a week before the Bruins went off. Still, they have intercepted just two passes. Mac Uihlein is averaging nearly seven tackles per game. This unit has improved, and outside of Oregon roughing it up, has allowed 14 or fewer points in three of its last four games.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Liam Clifford tried sparking a comeback with a blocked punt for a touchdown, Ryan Barker was his reliable self and Gabriel Nwosu delivered a 46-yard punt on his lone attempt. So special teams is the one group that is pretty much excused from the debacle in Pasadena. Barker’s lone miss this season was the result of a block, and he’s 25-of-26 on field goals and PATs.

Kicker Jack Olsen has good numbers, going 13-of-14 on field goals and extra points but his one miss came from under 30 yards. He is a quality kicker but also not the caliber of the two PSU has gone against the past two weeks. Luke Akers is a fifth-year punter who has boosted his average the past two seasons and is at a career-high 46.6 with four of his 13 landing inside the 20 this year.

COACHING/INTANGIBLES

Last week is one of the most embarrassing losses in program history. Only four AP Top 10 teams since 1936 had lost to a team with a record of 0-4 or worse. PSU joined the club, becoming the first since 1985 to do so. With regards to preseason rankings/expectations, this is the most disappointing season since 1999 — maybe ever. At least that team started 9-0.

Third-year coach David Braun started well, going 8-5 in his debut season but the team went backward last year, winning just two Big Ten games. The Wildcats look improved this year, but face a tough schedule the rest of the way. If Braun can squeeze a bowl game appearance out, it would be a nice achievement.

Prediction: That I seriously debated the advantages in all four categories tells you how far Penn State has fallen the last two weeks. Everything should point to a Lions blowout, but after last week everything seems a mystery. If the Lions do not play well here, things could start getting ugly. PSU 38, Northwestern 7

SENTINEL STAFF PREDICTIONS

Poll position: Penn State in midst of a freefall

It’s not the media that will decide the future of Penn State’s football program — not collectively and not thanks to some high-profile individual commentators or experts with hot takes.

But their voices matter, and they’ve agreed this week that something needs to change.

Those who vote for The Associated Press Top 25 offered a significant message — dropping Penn State out of the poll this week for the first time since September 2022.

The tumble was one of the largest in the 99-year history of the media poll.

So, Penn State, which started the season at No. 2, is making history — just not the kind anyone associated with the program, or its fans, want.

Still, any program-altering actions may largely happen out of the media and public eye.

It will not be the media or general fans who move the needle regarding coach James Franklin’s $50 million contract buyout.

That’s something for people with big influence and money who like to work with a little less attention on them. Or for some in the athletic department who want to find a financial path forward while the program is renovating Beaver Stadium and moving forward against growing financial pressures in the payfor-play era in college sports.

The media has been piling on since the final whistle of last week’s unexpected loss to unranked UCLA. Perhaps appropriately. Perhaps necessarily.

Big Ten Network host Dave Revsine said there was “no evidence” Penn State could be better than it was against UCLA through the first part of the season. And Roy Philpott told Sirius XM listeners Penn State was “done,” with a bounce-back effort unlikely.

Pick your prognosticator, local, regional or national, from

TV/RADIO COMMENTARY

fered. He remains consistently strong at serving viewers, and that was on display last week during the Penn State-UCLA game.

He strives to critique, not criticize, and he did that strongly at times last week during the game broadcast by CBS Sports.

That included a line about his willingness to “nitpick the offense” for Penn State but at the same time adding “the defense needs to show up.”

Best of all, Danielson was spot on with his analysis about the likelihood of UCLA taking a safety late in the game. He was concise and prepared at the moment. Plus, when it was clear Penn State was not quite as prepared, he pointed that out as well.

Notable

ö Today is the second game of the season on FS1 for Penn State and the third for the Nittany Lions to kick at 3:30 p.m.

Landon Tengwall to Paul Finebaum, and the opinions largely distill down to the conundrum facing athletic director Pat Kraft.

It’s two opposing questions — a conflict even the most casual fan could figure out.

Can Penn State afford to make a change? Can it afford not to?

So, as this moves along, and whether some victories quiet things down or more excuses, injuries and unexpected outcomes stoke more flames, finding important, insightful information might get challenging.

It’s easy to pile on and speculate. Maybe it’s warranted in this situation, at this time, after all these seasons with Franklin in charge.

Some people with more measured opinions exist, though, and 10-win coaches are not common at college football’s top level. How the media handles this going forward will be interesting.

Chasing a commissioner

Some national voices have been championing another

Worth watching

UCLA at Michigan State Noon Saturday BTN

Alabama at Missouri Noon Saturday ABC

Indiana at Oregon 3:30 p.m. Saturday CBS

Georgia at Auburn 7:30 p.m. ABC

ill-fated cause — finding a college football commissioner.

The reasoning for those folks includes some key topics a commissioner could supposedly solve, like consistency and scheduling, for example.

In their eyes that means consistency for following rules. Unfortunately, there’s no way that every conference and every team from coast to coast would adhere to guidelines without harsh enforcement. A commissioner would not change that, but it would look like change.

In terms of scheduling, the media types championing a commissioner believe someone in charge would prevent overlap-

ping big games, like Oregon-Penn State and Alabama-Georgia a couple weeks ago. That’s just silliness, though.

A commissioner and unified scheduling works in the 32-team NFL. It’s just not possible across all of college football.

And the more time those associated with college football spend seeking someone to save them from themselves is just more time wasted on the way to no meaningful solutions.

Great Gary

It’s his final season working college football games and Gary Danielson’s work has not suf-

ö Former Penn State standout, NFL player, streaming pregame host and onetime NFL Broadcast Bootcamp standout Jason Cabinda was supposed to be the sideline reporter for Penn State-UCLA last week but technical difficulties prevented his contributions.

ö It’s always interesting when Penn State struggles and playby-play man Steve Jones wears his heart and emotions on her sleeve. That leads to comments like the one he shared after Penn State’s late touchdown against UCLA that drew a penalty for excessive celebration. He quickly complained about the officials “regulating fun.”

ö It seemed like it would be more fun to watch UNC struggle under coach Bill Belichick this season, but the team’s games have been so uncompetitive that it’s not even compelling TV. No loss for the Tar Heels this week, though. They are idle after most recently losing to Clemson, 38-10. Up next, an Oct. 17 game at Cal.

Sampsell covers the broadcast end of Penn State football for Gameday. He can be reached at stevesampsell@ gmail.com

Brown leads push for separate playoff fields

When Mack Brown offers an opinion on the state of college football, it is backed by a record of achievement that spanned 36 seasons as a head coach and included 288 wins and a national championship at Texas.

Over the summer, Brown suggested that it is time to acknowledge the competitive disparity that exists between the Power 4 and Group of Five conferences by creating a postseason playoff exclusively for the Group of Five conferences, which are the American, Mid-American, Mountain West, Sun Belt and Conference USA.

“They’ve got to separate divisions and have a ruling body for each division,” Brown said. “I even think that the Group of Five should have their own national championship, have a playoff, just like FCS. Their teams are not going to win the national championship. They’re not going to be able to pay $20 million to these kids.

“Let them have a chance, every one of them, to win a national championship. Have their own Heisman, have their own Lombardi Award, Butkus Award. And I just think we separate the divisions and let them play, and it’d be fun. I would watch a great championship game between (two) Group of Five teams. But watching a Group of Five play Alabama in the first round is a waste in many cases.”

Brown’s take is bold, enlightening and refreshingly honest.

As supporting evidence of his position, the two Group of Five conference representatives in this week’s Associated Press Top-25 Poll are situated in the bottom fifth of the rankings.

Most innovative ideas are scoffed at until thoughtful consideration transitions to research

and development.

Land a man on the moon.

Ridiculous.

Cook dinner by generating electromagnetic waves in a unit that’s not much bigger than a bread box.

Absurd.

Operate a phone that flashes light, takes photos and plays music.

Now that’s just plain silly.

As Brown intimated, the likelihood of a Group of Five team running the table in the College Football Playoff is unlikely, if not impossible.

This isn’t South Florida knocking off Florida or Memphis beating Arkansas in the regular season.

It’s more like Penn State routing SMU on a cold December afternoon in Happy Valley.

A CFP first-round game should not resemble a Labor Day Weekend tune-up.

Not that long ago, no one imagined that college athletes would command seven-figure contracts or that universities would be attaching fees related to those contracts to season-ticket renewals.

And then the wheels started turning in someone’s head.

Mack Brown may one day be regarded as a pioneer for his views on a separate national championship for the Group of Five conferences.

Based on history and the evolution of college athletics, you can count on it.

A complete package

After Texas Tech defeated Utah, 34-10, on Sept. 20, the first comment from Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire was, “We play defense at Texas Tech.” McGuire’s team plays offense, too, and at an exceedingly high level.

Texas Tech ran its record to 5-0 after defeating Houston, 35-11, last Saturday. All five wins have been by at least 24 points.

NATIONAL VIEW

ö After a loss to Michigan, Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell’s overall record at the school dropped to 15-16. That mark includes an 0-8 record against teams ranked in the Top-25.

ö Navy, which has started 5-0 in back-to-back years for the first time since 1978-79, has won 76 consecutive home games when leading after three quarters, which is the longest streak in the nation.

ö In a 27-23 loss to Appalachian State, Oregon State’s final two possessions ended with a twoyard loss on a fourth-down running attempt from the App 1-yardline and an interception. The next four games for the Beavers (0-6) are all at home.

Quotables

The Red Raiders, off to their best start since opening the 2013 season at 7-0, have outscored the opposition 158-14 in the first half and 243-56 overall.

The team’s overall point differential of 37.4 is the second-highest in the nation behind Indiana’s 38.2

“There’s a next level that no one has seen,” said Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, who threw for 345 yards and a touchdown against Houston.

In the third phase of the game, Texas Tech special teams contributed a school record five field goals against the Cougars.

One for good measure

Propelled by two first-half touchdowns on blocked punts, UNLV defeated Wyoming, 31-17, to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 1974 when the program was a member of Division II.

UNLV’s Kayden McGee and Jaden Bradley combined for the two blocked punts and the resulting scores.

Playing on a field that was covered with hail, UNLV posted its first win at Wyoming since 2003.

Take a bow

In his first game action in college, Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson caught six passes for a team-high 111 yards and two touchdowns in his team’s 29-21 upset of Texas.

The first true freshman receiver in Gator program history to catch a touchdown pass in his debut, Wilson missed the first four games of the season while recovering from a foot injury that he suffered in preseason camp.

Notables

ö In losses to Power 4 Conference opponents Texas Tech, Florida State and Oklahoma, Kent State allowed an average of 57.3 points. In a 44-0 shutout at Oklahoma last Saturday, the Golden Flashes totaled 135 yards, including 17 on 33 rushing attempts.

ö Texas Tech is the only FBS team that has not trailed in a game this season.

ö In the loss to Alabama, Vanderbilt played in a game that featured top-16 opponents for the first time since 1956.

ö The lone 6-0 team in FBS and the first to become bowl eligible, Memphis defeated Tulsa, 45-7, to extend the nation’s longest-active winning streak to 10 games.

“We did things well enough to win, but we didn’t earn the win. That’s why we’re walking out of here with a one-point loss and a lot of woulda, shoulda, couldas.”

—Kansas State head coach

Chris Klieman after a 35-34 loss to Baylor dropped his team’s record to 2-4 overall “It takes the heart of a champion to win a game like that. It takes grit. It takes belief. Not all of them are pretty, and they don’t have to be. You just gotta find a way to win.”

—Virginia head coach

Tony Elliott after a 30-27 OT victory over Louisville

“The mentality was right where it needed to be coming off a huge win on the road in the Big 12 at Kansas, and then to be able to put that one to bed and really focus everything on Iowa State, they did an absolutely great job with that.”

—Cincinnati head coach

Scott Satterfield praising his team after a 38-30 upset of No. 14 Iowa State

Jim Caltagirone, a former member of Penn State’s sports information department, comments on the national scene for Gameday. He can be reached at jimclion4ever@gmail. com

2025 PENN STATE STATISTICS

WEEK 7 ODDS

2025 PENN STATE ROSTER

#NamePos.Ht.Wt.ClassHometownHigh

0Dominic DeLuca

1 Kyron Hudson

R-Sr. Duarte, Calif. Mater Dei

2 Liam Clifford WR 6-1 206 R-Sr. Maineville, Ohio St. Xavier

2 Audavion Collins CB 5-11 180 R-Jr. Covington, Ga. Newton

3 Antoine Belgrave-Shorter CB 6-0 194 R-Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. Mandarin 3Koby Howard WR 5-11 202 Fr. Pensacola, Fla. Chaminade-Madonna Prep

4 Tyseer Denmark WR 5-10 187 R-Fr. Philadelphia, Pa. Imhotep Charter

4 A.J. Harris CB 6-1 191 Jr. Phenix City, Ala. Central 5Daryus Dixson CB 6-0 191 Fr. Perris, Calif. Mater Dei

5 Devonte Ross WR 5-10 170 Sr. Cartersville, Ga. Cartersville

6 Zakee Wheatley S 6-2 200 R-Sr. Crofton, Md. Archbishop Spalding

7 Kaden Saunders WR 5-10 180 R-Jr. Columbus, Ohio Westerville South

7 Zion Tracy CB 5-11 180 Jr. Hempstead, N.Y. St. Thomas More (Conn.)

8 DaKaari Nelson LB 6-3 234 R-Soph. Livingston, Ala. Selma

9 Trebor Pena WR 5-10 186 R-Sr.+ Ocean Township, Texas Ocean Township

9 Elliot Washington II CB 5-11 199 Jr. Venice, Fla. Venice

10 Dejuan Lane S 6-2 212 Soph. Jessup, Md. Gilman School

10 Nicholas Singleton RB 6-0 224 Sr. Shillington, Pa. Governor Mifflin

11 LaVar Arrington II LB 6-3 219 Fr. Annapolis, Md. Charter Oak (Calif.)

11

13

14

15

19

23Tikey Hayes RB 5-11 204 Fr. Aliquippa, Pa. Aliquippa

24 Corey Smith RB 5-10 193 R-Fr. Milwaukee, Wis. Catholic Memorial

24 Amare Campbell LB 6-0 231 Jr. Manassas, Va. Unity Reed

25 Quinton Martin Jr. RB 6-1 206 Soph. Belle Vernon, Pa. Belle Vernon

26Cam Wallace RB 5-9 208 R-Fr. Mount Vernon, Ga. Montgomery County

26 Cam Smith LB 6-0 215 Fr. Salem, N.J. St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.)

27 Lamont Payne Jr. S 6-0 190 R-Soph. Carnegie, Pa. Chartiers Valley

28 Zane Durant DT 6-1 294 Sr. Lake Nona, Fla. Lake Nona

28 Karson Kiesewetter S 5-10 194 R-Soph. Altoona, Pa. Bishop Guilfoyle

29 Daniel Jennings DE 6-1 249 Fr. Princeton, W. Va.. Princeton

30Amiel Davis RB 6-0 215 R-Sr. Voorhees, N.J. Eastern Regional

30Kari Jackson LB 6-1 237 R-Fr. West Bloomfield, Mich. West Bloomfield

31 Logan Cunningham WR 5-8 189 R-Jr. Belle Vernon, Pa. Belle Vernon

31Kolin Dinkins S 6-2 207 R-Jr. Wexford, Pa. North Allegheny

32 Keon Wylie LB 6-2 225 R-Jr. Philadelphia, Pa. Imhotep Charter

33 Dani Dennis-Sutton DE 6-5 265 Sr. Millsboro, Del. McDonogh School (Md.)

34 Tyler Holzworth RB 6-0 219 R-Sr. Milford, N.J. Delaware Valley Regional

34Owen Wafle DR 295 6-2 R-Fr. Middletown, N.J. The Hun School (N.J.)

35Blaise Sokach-Minnick LS 6-3 224 R-Jr. West Pittston, Pa. Wyoming Area

35 Tyler Armstead CB 6-1 170 Soph. Canonsburg, Pa. Canon-McMillan

36 Zuriah Fisher DE 6-3 258 R-Sr.+ Aliquippa, Pa. Aliquippa

39 Ty Blanding DT 6-1 292 R-Soph. Bronx, N.Y. Christ The King

39 Jashaun Green S 6-1 182 R-Jr. State College, Pa. State College Area

40 Anthony Speca LB 6-1 227 R-Fr. Bridgeville, Pa. Pittsburgh Central Catholic

42 Mason Robinson DE 6-3 250 R-Soph. Randallstown, Md. McDonogh School

43 Dayshaun Burnett DE 6-3 223 Fr. Pittsburgh, Pa. Imani Christian Academy (Pa.)

44 Jaylen Harvey DE 6-2 251 R-Fr. Gaithersburg, Md. Quince Orchard

44Matt Henderson TE 6-5 230 Fr. Powhatan, Va. Powhatan

45Enai White DE 6-5 275 R-Jr. Philadelphia, Pa. Imhotep Charter

46 Cortez Harris DE 6-3 224 Fr. Largo, Md. Riverdale Baptist

47 Aidan Probst DE 6-2 264 R-Fr. Erie, Pa. McDowell

48 Tyler Duzansky LS 6-4 222 R-Sr. Wheaton, Ill. St. Francis Prep

49 Jackson Pryts LB 6-3 225 R-Jr. Hermitage, Pa. Hickory

50 Cooper Cousins OL 6-6 311 Soph. Erie, Pa. McDowell

50Alonzo Ford Jr. DT 6-2 305 R-Sr.+ Richmond, Va. Varina

51 Michael Troutman III OL 6-2 293 Fr. Trenton, N.J. DePaul Catholic

52 Dominic Rulli OL 6-3 297 R-Jr. Burlington, Ky. The Taft School (Conn.)

52 Randy Adirka DT 6-3 306 Fr. Miami, Fla Miami Central

53 Nick Dawkins OL 6-4 295 R-Sr.+ Allentown, Pa. Parkland

54 Xavier Gilliam DT 6-2 302 R-Fr. Montgomery Village, Md. Quince Orchard

54Ian Harvie OL 6-2 286 R-Jr. Royersford, Pa. Spring-Ford

54 TJ Shanahan Jr. OL 6-4 316 R-Soph. Orlando, Fla Westlake

55 Chimdy Onoh OL 6-5 314 R-Soph. Baltimore, Md. Dundalk

58 Kaleb Artis DT 6-4 304 R-Jr. Westbury, N.Y. St. Francis Prepatory School

59 Brady O’Hara OL 6-6 295 Fr. Mars, Pa. North Catholic

61 Liam Horan OL 6-3 291 R-Fr. Malvern, Pa. Malvern Prep

63 Alex Birchmeier OL 6-5 313 R-Soph. Ashburn, Va. Broad Run

64 Eagan Boyer OL 6-8 291 R-Fr. Cornelius, N.C. Hough

65Jim Fitzgerald OL 6-7 301 R-Jr. Severna Park, Md. Archbishop Spalding

66 Drew Shelton OL 6-5 305 Sr. Downingtown, Pa. Downingtown West

67 Henry Boehme OL 6-5 286 R-Soph. Birmingham, Ala. Mountain Brook

68 Anthony Donkoh OL 6-5 326 R-Soph. Aldie, Va. Lightridge

70 Garrett Sexton OL 6-6 289 R-Fr. Hartland, Wis. Arrowhead Union

71Olaivavega Ioane OL 6-4 330 R-Jr. Graham, Wash. Graham-Kapowsin

72 Nolan Rucci OL 6-8 308 R-Sr. Lititz, Pa. Warwick

73 Caleb Brewer OL 6-4 306 R-Fr. Reading, Pa. Wyomissing

74 J’ven Williams OL 6-5 316 R-Soph. Reading, Pa. Wyomissing

75 Matt Detisch OL 6-6 277 R-Jr. Mars, Pa. Mars Area

76 Mason Carlan OL 6-2 292 R-Sr.+ North Little Rock, Ark. North Little Rock

77 Owen Alciene OL 6-7 284 Fr. Chesire, Conn. Avon Old Farms

78 Malachi Goodman OL 6-6 321 Fr. Bloonfield, N.J. Paramus Catholic

79 Donnie Harbour OL 6-3 337 R-Fr. Milwaukee, Wis. Catholic Memorial

80 Jeff Exinor Jr. WR 6-1 221 Fr. Baltimore, Md. McDough School

83

81Donte Nastasi CB

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

2025 SCHEDULE

2025 SCHEDULE

Sooners to add padding to wall after injury

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma plans to add padding to the brick wall around Owen Field that receiver Keontez Lewis ran headfirst into over the weekend.

Most of the wall that surrounds nearly the entire field is not padded, and it is relatively close to the boundaries. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said the specifics aren’t clear yet.

“I don’t know exactly when or how much and all of that,” Venables said Tuesday. “But I think they’re going to put some padding around that brick area where we’re vulnerable. ... That’s what I was told.”

Lewis was injured during Oklahoma’s 44-0 win over Kent State on Saturday. In the first quarter, a pass by Michael Hawkins Jr. was a bit overthrown, and Lewis’ momentum took him into an unpadded section of the wall beyond the back of the end zone. He was briefly motionless and was carted off after being attended to for about 10 minutes.

Questions abound on Lions’ new path

Yes, that really happened last weekend. I’m sure I’m not alone in still not quite believing what I saw. It really is that bad. In just a quick glance through the standings in the Power-4 conferences, UCLA may really be the worst team in any of them.

But what happened is in the past. The question now is where does Penn State go from here after the unthinkable actually happened?

The Nittany Lions sit at 3-2 with Northwestern coming into State College on Saturday with the same record. On paper, Penn State is a better team by a mile. That doesn’t really seem to matter much right now.

What seemed scary turned out to be a relatively minor incident. Venables said on his Monday radio show that Lewis is doing well.

“I was terrified, because it didn’t look good at all,” Venables said. “Really fortunate, all things considered — very fortunate. He’s in great spirits and feeling much better. Remarkably, really not even a scratch.”

Iowa? And a home game against Indiana?

They will be lucky to win one of those games. The next question is, with a buyout of $56 million, what exactly do you do with James Franklin?

That large number goes down to $48 million at the turn of the new year, but that is still an enormous amount of money for a program that also has to pay for a major stadium renovation.

There’s a viral video on social media going around where PSU quarterback Drew Allar was asked if the Nittany Lions are still in the hunt for the College Football Playoffs. He asked what the reporter thought, who said he didn’t know.

“Yes,” Allar replied. Maybe the answer is a yes, but it’s a yes with a lot of shades of gray.

If PSU would run the table for the final seven games and finish the season 10-2, the Lions would have a case to make the playoffs.

Heck, if enough chaos would happen in the conference, it might even be possible for them to make the Big Ten championship game and have a chance to get an automatic playoff bid.

But do you really expect Penn State to get victories on the road, not just at Ohio State but also in

More eyebrows were raised on Monday after Franklin was asked why he didn’t provide a scouting report for Northwestern in his opening statement.

He has never missed the opportunity to talk about his upcoming opponent before.

It may be nothing, but it also may be a sign that he isn’t exactly “locked in” like he preaches.

Everyone knows losing to UCLA is exactly the kind of loss that gets you fired, and there’s no excuse for the Lions to look as unprepared as they did last weekend. But is it possible we are in the final days of Franklin’s 12-year tenure at Penn State?

I don’t envy athletic director Pat Kraft for the decisions he will have to make in the coming weeks and months.

Andy Stine can be reached at astine@altoonamirror. com.