If you have been paying attention to the rest of the Nittany Lions’ 2006 football season, Saturday’s performance and outcome should have been no surprise.
The defense played a strong game, with Paul Posluszny breaking the school record for career tackles, now totalling 349 for his career. Sean Lee racked up a career-high 13 tackles, two sacks, recovered two fumbles and forced another. Dan Connor was responsible for 10 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Despite the impressive showing on the defensive end, the offense couldn’t muster more than a field goal in the second quarter. Though there was only a 9 yard difference in passing yards between the two teams–PSU posted 165, Wisconsin netted 174–there was a massive discrepancy in net rushing yards. Penn State’s 19 rushing attempts yielded a 36-yard total gain throughout the game. The Badgers’ 45 rushing attempts resulted in 167 total yards gained.
As if the spotty performance of the offense wasn’t depressing enough, coach Joe Paterno suffered a broken leg during Saturday’s game when a sideline tackle caused a collision between a Wisconsin player’s helmet and JoePa’s left knee.
Though the game on Saturday (and several others this season) may have been frustrating, it is worth noting that the four teams the Nittany Lions have lost to this season have a combined record of 37-2.
The Lions are eligible for a bowl game this year, though fans are less enthusiastic than last year’s swarms of blue and white that descended upon Miami.
Saturday’s loss marked the last roadtrip for Penn State this season. The season will wind down with two home games versus Temple and Michigan State.
The Temple game is scheduled to kick off next Saturday, Nov. 11, at 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium.
Your turn: what continues to impress and/or frustrate you throughout the 2006 season? Do you have plans to go to the bowl game? Anything, everything Penn State football. Comment below.
The defense played a strong game, with Paul Posluszny breaking the school record for career tackles, now totalling 349 for his career. Sean Lee racked up a career-high 13 tackles, two sacks, recovered two fumbles and forced another. Dan Connor was responsible for 10 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Despite the impressive showing on the defensive end, the offense couldn’t muster more than a field goal in the second quarter. Though there was only a 9 yard difference in passing yards between the two teams–PSU posted 165, Wisconsin netted 174–there was a massive discrepancy in net rushing yards. Penn State’s 19 rushing attempts yielded a 36-yard total gain throughout the game. The Badgers’ 45 rushing attempts resulted in 167 total yards gained.
As if the spotty performance of the offense wasn’t depressing enough, coach Joe Paterno suffered a broken leg during Saturday’s game when a sideline tackle caused a collision between a Wisconsin player’s helmet and JoePa’s left knee.
Though the game on Saturday (and several others this season) may have been frustrating, it is worth noting that the four teams the Nittany Lions have lost to this season have a combined record of 37-2.
The Lions are eligible for a bowl game this year, though fans are less enthusiastic than last year’s swarms of blue and white that descended upon Miami.
Saturday’s loss marked the last roadtrip for Penn State this season. The season will wind down with two home games versus Temple and Michigan State.
The Temple game is scheduled to kick off next Saturday, Nov. 11, at 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium.
Your turn: what continues to impress and/or frustrate you throughout the 2006 season? Do you have plans to go to the bowl game? Anything, everything Penn State football. Comment below.
