The Nittany Lions are officially bowl eligible, and one win away from a guaranteed winning season. It sure didn’t look like it would happen about a month ago.
1) Three’s a pattern
Penn State has now had three straight games of over 150 yards on the ground. The schematic changes during the bye week have worked. Carson Hansen and Cam Wallace have completely taken over the running back rotation, and, while we did see James Peoples today, it was well after the game was out of hand.
We could play the what
if game, but it’s important to also note that the coaching staff saw a problem and fixed it as soon as it became viable to, and it worked.
2) Holy sack Batman
Penn State had not one, not two, but three sacks in this game! It would have been a fourth if the first one hadn’t been wiped away by a penalty. But, as the young kids say these days, ball don’t lie, as Minnesota fumbled a few plays after that penalty, giving the Lions great field position.
Speaking of field position, the Nittany Lions spent the majority of the first half in Minnesota territory. Good job Penn State defense!
3) No let up
For a second there, it looked like Penn State was going to have a patented 2nd half collapse. Minnesota scored two quick scores (and my degenerate self freaked out given I took a special line of -23.5), and were ready to make it a two score game, but the defense clamped down again, and, as if hearing my prayers, Alex Manske lobbed one up to James Peoples for the dagger.
Yet another lesson learned. They kept attacking until the clocks hit zero, and they came away with the win.
