UMass at Penn State Open Game Thread

[DragonsDoExist]

PSU 38-10

[abpk2903]

Remember Kirk, the Michigan game is a month after the Rutgers game. Unlike the Paterno regime, I have confidence that a fairly young oline can get a lot better in that time frame.

I still see playing in the Big House being pretty tricky for Penn State but I think it's winnable.

[SFB14]

I was just looking at a thread on the Lions247 PSU board about an article on Yahoo about the proposed "Joe-Out" this weekend for the UMass game. I'm sure if there is some kind of tribute like this to Paterno at the game it will be a very small minority of people doing so, and I'm just as sure the media/TV coverage of the game will concentrate on the few people who actually go through with this moronic idea to fit a narrative. To my surprise the overwelming majority (probably 90%)of people posting on the 247 message board (who have to be PSU fans to be on a paid message board) also think this is a terrible idea. Many of them saying things like "is it any wonder people outside of PSU look at us like we're a cult"? I couldn't agree more with that sentiment. I talk to so many fans at games and during the week who just want to enjoy the positive momentum that the program has had going lately, especially given the events of the past 3 years, and find it difficult to do so because there is this very vocal minority who just can't seem to move forward and let go of the past. As a PSU alumni/fan I'm so sick of the "cult" narrative but I understand how it comes about with misguided ideas like this and with the Paterno family seemingly putting out a statement about the vacated wins every time PSU gets a first down. However, unlike these people I don't feel the need to shout out my views from the rooftops because I don't need the hassle you get from the zealots who think the program ended it's existence 3 years ago.

I've said this before, I hate that the Sandusky scandal happened and I especially hate that it happened at my university. I hope anyone who was even remotely involved in it or allowing it to happen can rot in hell. Unfortunately the scandal is going to be thought of when PSU football is mentioned on a national scale for some time no matter how much or little the program was involved. Any opportunity to move forward with the current team who had absolutely nothing to do the scandal, is going to made much more difficult by the insistence of some who believe that if every sanction is removed it'll be like Sandusky's horrible crime didn't actually take place and Joe's reputation will be completely restored. I was curious as to the opinion of others on BC and I guess a general discussion on what is going on currently with the program and it's ability to move forward in light of the struggle within between the "Joe-Bots" and those like myself who feel they are doing way more harm than good.

[Coach]

You can do both. You just opened a can with the crowd here though...

[SFB14]

Probably so......

[abpk2903]

Let me first say that I will always respect Joe Paterno and there will never be another ambassador of the university that will have near the positive impact that he had over nearly 50 years.

He and Sue paid for and built a world class library, led numerous fundraising efforts, always kept education at the forefront, funded a new Catholic Spiritual Center, and more.

Let's not forget what Penn State getting into the Big Ten did for the university, students, and town of State College. They may have happened without JoePa but he certainly helped. The B1G is a research and education alignment first and a sports league second (this is part why I always enjoy the race for the B1G championship as much as a national title, the universities are on a similar playing field in terms of demographics and educational requirements from their athletes). Joining the B1G had major impact on State College becoming an international airport, the completion of i99, the construction of the Bryce Jordan Center, and much of the general growth of the town of State College. Joining the B1G gave students and professors unlimited access to resources of what's now 13 other major universities. When I was in college, I worked on a project that required information from a certain publication. At the time, Nebraska was the only university in the country that had it in its library system. They shipped it to me within 2 days at no cost and I was able to complete my project. Within my major, Michigan State and Indiana also had very strong programs in related fields. We constantly shared information with the students and professors of those universities. Basically to summarize my rambling. Joe Paterno was a just a link in the chain that helped Penn State get into the Big Ten but the benefits for students, professors, the communities surrounding Penn State, and the university in general are unmeasurable.

Unlike some people that are at/from Penn State, I also realize he isn't a perfect god that was cast upon us. He stayed 15 years too long putting his reputation, the football program, and the university in danger. He burnt many bridges over the years that really hurt our perception. I firmly believe he put his interest over some of the other important interests of the university and community. Ultimately he lost all control of the program he helped build. There were countless arrests, poor development of players, and a good 'ole boy coaching staff.

Did Paterno's lack of leadership aid in Sandusky's free reign on the university, maybe. But it is all speculation. Some questions may be answered in the upcoming trial, but most will probably go unanswered. Here is my honest OPINION, Paterno had a hard enough time holding his bladder (and bowels) let alone the athletic department accountable at his age. He didn't intend for anyone to get hurt and at his age he probably didn't understand anywhere near the severity of what was going on. His concern with coaching until the day he died put every victim in some harm. Ultimately though Sandusky was the monster and let's not forget that. Paterno had little authority with a retired, tenured ex-employee of the university. How anyone, not just Joe, let him anywhere near the university with the speculation of his child abuse, is beyond me.

I am not going to tell the Paterno's, former players, and anyone else that was impacted greatly by Joe that they shouldn't stick up for him. I'm not going to join them in protests/demonstrations/JoeOuts either. Over time this will fizzle out but it's going to take a lot of time.

[SFB14]

Very well said....my thoughts are similar to yours in many ways.

[WPIAL~Titan]

Apbk, you're talking about the Paterno of 2007-2012.

Paterno was a very mentally capable individual in 1995, 1998, and 2001, the first documented years of others knowing of Jer's proclivities for young boys.

Everyone, even those outside if PSU, were fully aware of the all encompassing scope of Paterno's power. PSU fans bragged about how "sharp" Joe was and how he knew about EVERYTHING that involved the football program.

Do you really believe for a millisecond that Paterno, the most powerful man in the Commonwealth, let alone at PSU, had no knowledge and idea about what they were dealing with in Jer?

The best case scenario was that Paterno, Spanier, Shultz, Curley, TSM, even law enforcement knew, and just shook their heads, and practiced denial, hoping and praying that Jer wasn't what they feared he was.

The worst case scenario is a sickening coverup where the uber powerful Paterno and his underlings knew what they had and consciously protected the football money machine, self created image as a deity, and march toward 409 wins (now 298) at the expense of the safety and welfare of hundreds of vulnerable, disadvantaged young boys, even using PSU's dime to allow child victims on bowl trips and access to facilities in order to feed Jer's appetite.

I know what I believe.

[abpk2903]

It was UMass but Penn State played about as well as could be expected against the Minutemen. Penn State's defense looks really tough and I don't really see a B1G team that will run away with a game against them. The offense still has some concerns especially along the front. I think they look much better than the 1st week of the season but a long way to go if they want to beat Ohio State or Michigan State. Hack also needs to figure out how to settle in from the beginning. He once again looked lost in the 1st quarter. That can't happen against the better B1G teams.

4-0. 2 away from bowl eligibility. Can't complain.

[El-Moldo]

And WHO are the BETTER Big 10 teams they will play, other than OSU and MSU? An interesting note: Sagarin had PSU ranked 41 in his pre-season rankings. At 4-0, PSU is presently 37th. They vaulted up 4 places after 4 victories. What does that say about their schedule so far?