Football is here. Well, at least spring football.
With Penn State’s annual spring game set to kick at 4:00 PM on the Big Ten Network there are plenty of reasons to keep an eye on the field. Even if the Nittany Lion starters don’t play for the majority of the scrimmage it’s a great chance to see what the rest of the team has to offer.
From quarterback Trace McSorely to up-and-coming linebacker Jason Cabinda, the Blue White game is a great opportunity to get a glimpse of the future. And you never know, a star in the making that nobody saw coming.
Since the flow of the Blue White game can often be a little rough around the edge, today’s live blog will be less of a play by play and more a running list of observations throughout the game.
Second Half Observations:
Hackenberg interception wasn’t a great read into that coverage. Easy play even for second and third team players.
Nick Scott is the game’s MVP at this point and a 51-yard run and score after being dead to rights in the backfield only helps his cause.
Penn State’s defense is the best unit on the team right now. Carl Nassib continues to look like a star in the making at the DE position.
Hackenberg with a 41-yard strike to Blacknall that gives fans a look the good side he has to offer after a bad interception. Blacknall has had a solid game so far.
Not having McSorely dressed in this one is limiting the amount of interesting things to watch for in the second half. Hackenberg finishes the day with a 17-29, 180 yard 1 TD, 1 INT outing.
Joe Julius has had all four kickoffs go out of the end zone. A nice asset if you can get it. No return issues is a big plus when you’re playing a field position game.
First Half Observations:
Just about set to go here at Beaver Stadium. Devon Still is an honorary captain.
Hackenberg getting rid of the ball quickly on the opening drive. Paris Palmer didn’t look out of his element to start, but he’s going against middle of the roster players at left tackle.
Lynch’s run for a touchdown was a nice result of a Hackenberg ball control and blocking at the second level by the offensive line.
Nick Scott’s 25-yard run a nice burst through the middle. Teammates say he runs “angry”.
Hackenberg already running intentionally early in the scrimmage. Finding the extra yards when the play isn’t there.
Geno Lewis going up and making catches on a regular basis ding a drive is a big hole that Allen Robinson left behind. Lewis has the tools, a strong offseason could help sharpen them.
It’s hard to take anything away from Penn State’s offensive line performance. Unit is getting mixed up frequently and in turn there isn’t much consistency. Some good, some bad. Paris Palmer looks the part but looks a few months from being where he needs to be. So more or less it looks as expected. Better than last year, but a work in progress. Five sacks isn’t encouraging, but it’s hard to know how much of a negative it really is.
Punting has been better, a 53-yard bomb is the high mark so far today.
Halftime Stats:
Hackenberg went 13-22 for 109 yards
Akeel Lynch went 9 carries for 50 yards and 1 TD.
Saeed Blacknall: 4 catches, 28 yards.
Geno Lewis: 4 catches, 37 yards.
Kicking Contest:
Joey Julius wins the contest with a few kicks from 55-yards. Tyler Davis showed a strong leg as well. Question at this point isn’t power from Julius, it’s the trajectory. If he kicks from 45-yard and in he won’t have much issue getting the kick up high and out far enough.
—Pregame—
QB Trace McSorely isn’t dressed which means fans won’t see one of the more anticipated attractions of today’s scrimmage. LB Nyeem Wartman and TE Brent Wilkerson are not dressed either. Adam Breneman probably won’t play much if at all today along with other players with bumps and bruises.
The kicking competition will begin at 3:45 prior to the start of today’s scrimmage.
