Penn State vs Michigan State "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"

                                                                        (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)      



     Good

  One of the few bright spots other than Penn State's only scoring drive and overall good play by it's defense, was Sam Ficken's achievement for setting the school record for most field goals made in a season with 23.


    Bad

      Special Teams. Penn State gave up a touchdown on the opening kickoff to Michigan State. A bad hold on a field goal attempt once again hurt Penn State like it did last week against Illinois.


     Ugly

     The Penn State offense had three straight possessions in the 2nd quarter that started on the Spartans side of the field and could only muster up 3 points. On the third possession, Hackenberg threw toward the corner of the end zone with the ball going off receiver Chris Godwin's hands and into Spartan's Trae Waynes. The offensive line was ineffective as well as the Spartan defense got to Hackenberg three times and forced a fumble that would lead to a Michigan State touchdown.

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Penn State vs Illinois "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"

   

     The Good

     Penn State's only real bright spot was Akeel Lynch, who accounted for 170 of the Nittany Lions 265 yards of total offense (135 rushing  35 receiving) including a 47 yard run for a touchdown.

     The Bad

    So many things. Penn State had a chance to go up 14-0 but had to settle for a field goal attempt (which would have made it 10-0) but a bad snap cost the Nittany Lions points off the scoreboard. Despite throwing for his first touchdown in three games, Christian Hackenberg was held to under 100 yards and threw for just 50%. Illinois also ranked 106th in the nation in points given up with 34.0, but held the Nittany Lions to just 14 points

     The Ugly

     Turnovers and miscues. Akeel Lynch did have one minor hiccup. On 2nd & 10 in the 2nd quarter, Lynch picked up a first down but was stripped of the ball in the process. On the 2nd half kickoff, Penn State misread the kick that allowed the Illini to fall on top of the ball and take possession at the Nittany Lion 28. Illinois ended up scoring a field goal on the drive. 

    Questionable Play call

    With 4 & 1 with 1:53 remaining Penn State decided to punt the ball rather than go for it and try to win the game there. James Franklin decided to put the game in the defense's hands, but the Illini offense had moved the ball quite efficient in the 4th quarter (98 yards in 2 drives) and in three plays the Illinois offense drove 56 yards that would set up the game winning field goal.

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Penn State vs Temple "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"

The Good

     Akeel Lynch and Bill Belton combined for 222 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns. The Nittany Lion defense forced 5 turnovers (including 4 interceptions) that led to 17 points. Penn State's defense held Temple to just 61 rushing yards.


The Bad

     Hard to criticize the side of the ball that has been winning you games, but Temple's quarterback P.J. Walker, found Jalen Fitzpatrick, who beat Penn State's Jordan Lucas in the secondary for a 75 yard score. Penn State also had a holding penalty on its first drive that negated a touchdown.


The Ugly

     The Nittany Lion offense was subjected to 3 turnovers (2 Christian Hackenberg interceptions, and a Bill Belton fumble). In addition to his two interceptions, Hackenberg was held to just 112 passing yards and completed less than 50% of his throws (12 of 26).

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Penn State vs Indiana "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"

                                                                           (AP Photo/Sam Riche)

     Good

     Bill Belton finally cracked the 100 yard mark this season, finishing with 137 yards on 16 carries. Belton had the play of the game when he broke through the Indiana defense for a 92 yard touchdown run. The Penn State defense pitched a shutout, had two interceptions, and held the Hoosiers to just 221 yards of offense


     Bad

     Christian Hackenberg continues to struggles. Against Indiana, Hackenberg threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown and finished that day 12 of 29 for just 168 yards.


     Ugly

     The Penn State offense as a whole. The offensive line continued to struggle, and if it were not for Belton's 92 yard scamper for a TD, the Nittany Lions very well could have easily lost this game. Early in the 2nd Quarter, Penn State had the ball 1st & Goal at the 1. The Nittany Lions went backwards and were forced to settle for a field goal which ended up getting blocked.

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Penn State vs Maryland Game Recap "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"

                                                                                    (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
    


The Good

     Sam Ficken was money. He went 4 for 4 on field goals on the day (three of which he connected from 40+, including a 48 yarder.) The Penn State defense also had 6 sacks, forced two fumbles, including one that helped set up a touchdown for the Nittany Lions



      The Bad

     Christian Hackenberg threw an interception deep in the Terrapins territory. Hackenberg also had two fumbles, including one right after the Penn State defense forced a fumble near the end of the 1st half.


     The Ugly

     While the offensive line once again continued to show its flaws, outside of Sam Ficken, the special teams were a disaster. Grant Haley fumbled a kickoff return that led to Maryland converting for a touchdown on the turnover. Punter Daniel Pasquariello was horrific. His bad punting led to Maryland having great field position late in Penn State territory that allowed the Terrapins to eventually score the game winning field goal.


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