Penn State holds off Army’s triple option offense to win, 20-14

Through the first nine games of the season, Penn State has neither scored nor conceded more than two goals in a match. Lost $20 in Atlantic City about 20 years ago and “almost threw up”.

James Franklin doesn’t understand, and doesn’t care about point spreads.

He was not, and he let it be known by going on a bit of a rant following the question. We won today. We’re 1-0.

“We’ve got to play our best football here because… we’re not as big and we don’t have all the numbers that somebody else might typically have”, Monken said.

Instead, Franklin pointed to a defense that, though it gave up 261 yards rushing, made a clinching fourth-down play when linebacker Jason Cabinda sacked Army quarterback A.J. Schurr.

On the final two plays of the third quarter, Hackenberg unleashed back-to-back deep balls that turned into a 49-yard diving catch from Chris Godwin and a 33-yard touchdown catch for tight end Mike Gesicki.

Much of that learning involves the offense.

Army West Point actually out-gained Penn State 293-264 in total yards.

After Rutgers, the Nittany Lions will then return home for a match against No. 13 Maryland Terrapins on Friday night, which will be the annual whiteout game. “So I think it was awesome that (it) was on us and the defense to get that stop”.

Injuries continued to be an issue for Penn State.

That time came late in the third quarter. You see, a point spread is a thing casinos create to try and generate equal betting action on both sides of a game to ensure the casino always win…oh, what’s that coach, you aren’t done?

“They’re a group of dudes who obviously committed to something bigger than themselves by going there”, Hackenberg said. If Mangiro can’t go next week Penn State’s line would be dealt another blow.

Schurr started in place of injured sophomore Ahmad Bradshaw and passed the ball only one time for a 32-yard completion to junior wide receiver Edgar Poe. Redshirt freshmen Mark Allen, Nick Scott and Johnathan Thomas rotated in Penn State’s backfield. Despite having one passing attempt prior to the down, Army called a passing play.

That was of little comfort to Army coach Jeff Monken, who was frustrated by his team’s seven total fumbles and occasional lapses. Cabinda was all over the field and finished with a team-high 14 tackles, including two sacks. This is his seventh season on The Inquirer’s Penn State beat.

“The guy has the ability to make guys miss”, Franklin said of Barkley.