PSU Football Preview

As promised in the last post, we have a guest columnist this evening, one of the senior year roommates, Andy Franson. Andy is a longtime fan and supporter of the Ross Press Release, and is leading the Central PA headquarters for all RPR operations. He requested a PSU football preview the other night, but since I know he is closer to all of the news, and the ins and outs of the team this year, it seemed as if he'd be able to produce a better article than I. So, without further ado, Andy Franson's No Frills 2005 Penn State Football Preview:
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I am probably the wrong person to write an article about the Penn State football team, for I am both an avid fan and the worst pessimist you have ever met... just ask Ross. At the beginning of the season, I will brag about how they are going undefeated, and that "This is the year", but the first time they turn the ball over, or start to lose, I will damn the entire team. But we’ll see how it goes….

First off, let me first apologize to all of you readers/PSU Alums/avid PSU Football fans. I feel slightly responsible for the losing seasons and lack of a bowl win since the end of the 1999 season. I had been going to all the games and sitting in the alumni section since I was a child, and once I sit in the student section, the team goes to hell. There is still inconclusive evidence on whether or not it was my fault, or the arrival of Eric Steinberg, because they went hand and hand. BUT…the only game I sat in the Alumni section in the past 5 years, was the blowout of Michigan State to finish the season…so that has to be promising for the team. ANYWAY…

OFFENSE
This could be where PSU surprises some people this year. Not only will they surprise the fans by actually be able to move the ball down the field, but I predict big things from their fresh faces on the offense. The O-line is pretty much intact, minus EZ Smith who felt it was a good idea to shoot arrows in his dorm room. The running backs are Tony Hunt and Austin Scott. Tony was pretty solid when the line made holes for him, and Austin is an adequate backup. Don’t be surprised if one of the two, if not a newcomer, breaks a few games open with a couple huge runs. Receiving is one of the question marks on the offense. They have Terrell Golden, who is the lone receiver to have caught any passes last season. Plus they have a group of talented freshman who I will talk about later, along with a bunch of no name guys who will have no impact on the team. Quarterbacks are where PSU is going to shine. Along with Michael Robinson, who developed into a nice quarterback in spring practices, they return the sophomore sensation Anthony Morrelli. I feel that they will use Robinson for running options, and for defenses that suck against the run. For the games where they need to get the ball downfield, this is when you will see Morrelli. He is the quarterback of the future for this team, and he will prove it this year.

DEFENSE
Not much can be said about the defense. They will be tops in the nation again this year due to the fact that they didn’t lose anyone that mattered. In addition to the guys they kept, they have recruited some excellent young secondary specialists, namely Justin King.

ROOKIES MAKING AN IMPACT




Don’t recognize him? Well that young man could be the best wide receiver in the country within the next couple years. His name is Derrick Williams and he will immediately impact this offense that lacked a big play receiver last year. Expect him to start every game and lead the team in receiving. The next rookie of mention is Justin King. He was a highly sought cornerback out of Pittsburgh. I look for him to return kicks, replace Anwar Phillips in the secondary, and even come in as a wide receiver. I can’t remember when a player has played both ways for PSU, but I think you will see history made with this kid. There are some other freshman, but since Joe has not ruled out redshirts, and has not discussed this option, I will not discuss the rest.

My Thoughts: Look for a solid season from this team. I think that a lot of the Big Ten teams will let their guard down this year and the Nittany Lions will run all over them. I predict big things from the freshmen, as well as Michael Robinson. Look for the defense to hold every opponent under 21 points again this season, and for the offense to average 34 points per game. You heard it from me…9-2 with a trip to a very good Bowl game. See you there.


JoePa is all business this year. And so is Andy.