There was no time to dwell on last Saturday. Literally, no time was spent reviewing the loss to Ohio State. Penn State coach Bill O’Brien was ready to turn the page on Monday, and it didn’t take long for the message to sink in.
‘[Tuesday’s] practice, the pads were popping,’ O’Brien said at his weekly press conference, held Wednesday because of superstorm Sandy.
Penn State (5-3, 3-1 Big Ten) is coming off an emotional letdown following Saturday’s 35-23 loss to the unbeaten Buckeyes in front of the only home sellout of the season.
But with four games left, Penn State, especially its seniors, has a sense of urgency to finish the year strong.
‘We have four games left and are trying to leave this thing on a high note,’ quarterback Matt McGloin said.
On Big Ten Officiating
O’Brien was asked how he’s adapted to Big Ten officiating in his first season in the league and as a head coach. Of course, he was diplomatic when assessing some of the officiating calls in Saturday’s loss to Ohio State. There was at least one call that impacted a Buckeyes scoring drive when a defensive holding penalty was called on a punt, giving Ohio State an automatic first down. It tied the game nine plays later heading into halftime.
‘After the season when we get together I’m gonna have some questions,’ O’Brien said. ‘I want things defined. What is that? What is that? What are we looking for here?
‘I’m gonna fight for my players, fight for my staff, and that’s the way I’m gonna be.’
Hurricane Aftermath
Penn State has not been impacted much by superstorm Sandy thanks to Holuba Hall, the Nittany Lions indoor facility. The Lions will hold at least a portion of their Wednesday practice outdoors despite gray, dreary conditions in State College.
It did not sound like any players’ families on the East Coast were greatly impacted by the storm that hit earlier this week.
‘Having been in a hurricane myself in early 90s in Massachusetts, it’s a tough deal,’ O’Brien said. ‘All of our players’ families are doing OK. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people in New Jersey and everywhere else you’re seeing on the news. It’s brutal.’
Junior Class Leadership
Many words have been written about the senior class, especially Mike Mauti. But Jordan Hill, Michael Zordich, Gerald Hodges, Matt Stankiewitch, Stephon Morris and others are all out of eligibility after this season, and the need for juniors to establish themselves as leaders is imminent.
O’Brien, without naming names, of course, is seeing some step to the forefront.
‘I do see some guys there that will be leaders next year and have taken on that role this year,’ he said.
