“What happened?”
Of all the questions I’ve been asked over the past 48-hours or so, none have come up more than that one.
What in the world happened.
And I have no idea.
I have no idea how given an entire offseason to prepare and practice that an offense can’t gain 200 yards. I have no idea how an offensive line that had become in the very least somewhat serviceable by the end of last season gives up 10 sacks in a single game. I have no idea how the nation’s No.1 junior college transfer can look so confused for so long.
I have no idea how an offense’s most redeeming quality for 60 minutes of play is its ability to break the huddle. I have no idea what happened to an offense that nearly beat Ohio State. I have no idea what happened to Kyle Carter. I have no idea how Temple of all teams could devise such a difficult defensive look that Penn State’s best course of action was to just hope somebody got open. I have no idea why Penn State’s best offensive play was handing the ball off and hoping Brandon Polk was just faster than everyone else.
I have no idea.
I do know that Penn State is in for a heck of a week. I do know that the sanctions will only buy James Franklin goodwill for so long. I do know that it won’t take too many more of these kinds of losses for people to wonder what is going on. I do know that every team in America has an offensive line. I do know that most of them aren’t very good. I also happen to know that those offenses still manage to move the ball. I do know that fans like branding, but they love winning even more.
I do know that in all likelihood both John Donovan and Herb Hand are probably better at their jobs than Saturday would lead you to believe. I do know that given the right amount of time and the right kinds of players they can probably prove that to you. I do know that you can only build a house out of the bricks you have. I also know that they have a difficult task in front of them. I know it’s not fair to judge them at face value.
I also know that Sam Ficken would tell you that one game doesn’t tell the whole story. I also know that Penn State has a lot of games left to play. I also know that it’s more likely than not that Penn State will win some of them.
But this Saturday, I have no idea what happened.
Contrary to popular belief, your local beat writer is probably not invested in the team he or she covers. This column isn’t written as an excuse to vent, it’s written because I’ve never seen anything like what Penn State did in Philadelphia on Saturday. I have no idea how things got so bad so fast and for so long for seemingly no good reason. I’m as confused as everyone else. Conversely I’m not looking for an excuse to get after a roster and coaching staff seemingly full of good people who mean well and are trying hard.
But I still have no idea what happened. Why it was so historically bad.
James Franklin will address the media on Tuesday, but perhaps more importantly for his own cause, fans on Thursday at his radio show. There is no telling what will be asked, but chances are it won’t be questions about how to beat Buffalo.
But maybe he can tell everyone what happened this weekend. And maybe even why.
Because I have no idea.
