Penn State--could it be worse?

[historyman]

Penn State loses 17-16 to Virginia today (9/8/12). Their placekicker missed 4 FGs and an extra point, including a 42 yard FG with seconds left in the game. Anyone feeling sorry for the Nittany Lions yet?

By the way, their original placekicker was an all-conference player who transferred due to the penalties from the scandal.

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[valpopal]

The placekicker, Ficken, is a Valparaiso High School grad.

[covufan]

Penn State loses 17-16 to Virginia today (9/8/12). Their placekicker missed 4 FGs and an extra point, including a 42 yard FG with seconds left in the game. Anyone feeling sorry for the Nittany Lions yet?

By the way, their original placekicker was an all-conference player who transferred due to the penalties from the scandal.

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Not feeling sorry.  Not sure why they hired O'Brien.  I remember an Ara Parseghian quote from years ago that basically said that he needed every year of head coaching experience when he took the ND job.  I think the same could be said at a Penn St, and especially following a legend such as Joe Paterno.  Penn State needed a steward for the program - 4-7 years.  Someone to follow Paterno, keep the program at the top, keep the alumni happy, etc.  They needed someone with experience in all facets of leading a program - not someone to learn on the job.  O'Brien may become a great college coach someday, but he is in over his head with all that is going on with Penn State Football.  I think they should have gone after someone like Jerry Moore or other seasoned, experienced head coach, that could take over the program, and didn't want to be there longer than needed to pass the reigns to someone else. 

Things will get worse at Penn State before they get better.  It will still be a program that can win a championship, just not in the next few years.

[valporun]

covufan, you just reflected this whole Penn St. situation into the same light as Scott Drew taking over at Baylor back in 2003. Overcoming adversity and tragedy are going to be the biggest immediate obstacles for O'Brien. It will take him some time, but don't rule him out right now.

[covufan]

covufan, you just reflected this whole Penn St. situation into the same light as Scott Drew taking over at Baylor back in 2003. Overcoming adversity and tragedy are going to be the biggest immediate obstacles for O'Brien. It will take him some time, but don't rule him out right now.

OK.  I just hope that the alumni, administration and other backers give him and the team the time necessary to right the ship.  It could be several years. 

[valpopal]

Penn State loses 17-16 to Virginia today (9/8/12). Their placekicker missed 4 FGs and an extra point, including a 42 yard FG with seconds left in the game. Anyone feeling sorry for the Nittany Lions yet?

By the way, their original placekicker was an all-conference player who transferred due to the penalties from the scandal.

Nice to see a better end to this story and the season for sophomore placekicker Sam Ficken, a Valpo High School grad and a fine kid:

BIG TEN HONORS VALPO'S FICKEN: Penn State sophomore kicker Sam Ficken of Valparaiso is the Big Ten Conference Special Teams Player of The Week.

Ficken kicked the game-winning 37-yard field goal in overtime to give Penn State a 24-21 triumph over Wisconsin on Saturday. He was a perfect three-for-three on field goal tries, also converting from 23 and 32 yards.

He ended the season having made 10 straight attempts.

[bbtds]

Ficken kicked the game-winning 37-yard field goal in overtime to give Penn State a 24-21 triumph over Wisconsin on Saturday. He was a perfect three-for-three on field goal tries, also converting from 23 and 32 yards.

He ended the season having made 10 straight attempts.

Good to know Sam wasn't Ficken it all year and really did know how to make field goals.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Good to know Sam wasn't Ficken it all year and really did know how to make field goals.

I really hope you say such things without a functional knowledge of German vocabulary...

[bbtds]

Good to know Sam wasn't Ficken it all year and really did know how to make field goals.

I really hope you say such things without a functional knowledge of German vocabulary...

Obviously that wasn't intended. If his German ancestors chose that name along the way it must have meant something different.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

If his German ancestors chose that name along the way it must have meant something different.

Lord, I HOPE so... :/ !!!