Blue White Illustrated

TaxSlayer Bowl Preview

Penn State Sports Magazine

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assistant head coach. Except for a two- year absence following his graduation in 2005, he's been part of the Bulldogs' pro- gram for more than a decade, and yet he said he was surprised when he was ap- pointed head coach following Mark Richt's departure for Miami (Fla.). "Not in a bad way," he said, "but just surprised and excited – excited about the opportunity to be able to do it. Very rarely does a guy who's working his way up the ranks get put in a position like that in a school that he loves, at his alma mater. I'm very honored, but I was sur- prised initially." Richt had been dismissed on Nov. 30 aDer going 145-51 in 15 seasons at the school. He was originally supposed to coach the Bulldogs in their bowl game, but Miami had been interested in him even before he was let go, and on Dec. 4 he was hired to coach his alma mater. Naming McClendon interim head coach was "the least disruptive option for our players and staff," athletic director Greg McGarity said. Three days later, the school hired Ala- bama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart for the full-time job. Smart will take over until the Crimson Tide are finished with their season, which might not be until the national championship game on Jan. 11. In the meantime, McClendon is in charge, and he's brought a different vibe to the team's preparations by allowing music to be played during practice (mostly rap, although some off the offen- sive linemen have lobbied for more country). But he's also sought to smooth the transition, and Richt's advice has been helpful in that regard. "His main thing was just to make sure that I think through everything in [terms] of how this is going to affect 125 kids and the whole staff, not so much what's best for five people or 10 people or anything like that," McClendon said. "You've always got to think of the greater good when it comes to certain things. As a position coach, you're thinking about what benefits your position more times than not. When you're going to Coach to make a request and saying, hey, can we do this or can we do that, you're thinking about how it's going to benefit your guys. You've got to do that for everybody now. That's the one thing that has been really eye-opening." Senior defensive tackle Sterling Bailey said he's eager to see how McClendon adapts to his new role on game day. "I know he's going to be good," Bailey said. "He's going to be fun. He brings a lot of energy as a position coach, and I can't wait to see the energy he brings as a head coach." Tailback Sony Michel said he doesn't expect to notice much of a difference once the game begins. "My [position] coach that I'm always with will still be here," he said. "That's who I spend most of my time with off and on the field." While game day might be business as usual for the tailbacks, there's been a lot of upheaval elsewhere, as Richt isn't the only coach to have departed in recent weeks. Coordinators Brian Schottenheimer (of- fense) and Jeremy Pruitt (defense) are both gone, as is inside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler. In their absence, tight ends coach John Lilly is overseeing the offense, while outside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer has taken charge of the defense. Lilly and Ekeler had been coaching the special teams units, but with neither one available leading up to the bowl game, Todd Hartley, the Bulldogs' director of player personnel, has been put in charge of the kicking game. Graduate assistants have been helping make up for the staffing shortages else- where. Throughout the Bulldogs' turbulent postseason, their interim head coach has been upbeat. However, the turbulence is likely to continue aDer the TaxSlayer Bowl, as McClendon, too, is on his way out. ADer some initial speculation that he might rejoin Richt in Miami, McClen- don was hired by South Carolina earlier this month. Named the Gamecocks' co- offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, he will join Will Muschamp's new staff in Columbia next week. For now, though, McClendon is focused on the preparing his team to face the Nit- tany Lions. "It's all about the kids," he said. "That [other] stuff will take care of itself a little later on. Right now, everything is just geared toward this bowl game and getting the team ready so that we can go out there and have a good showing." NATE BAUER RECORD 11-1 If Saquon Barkley can keep Georgia honest, Christian Hackenberg might actually have some time to operate. It's a closer matchup than some would ex- pect, and Penn State gets a slight nod. PENN STATE 24, GEORGIA 23 PHIL GROSZ RECORD 9-3 I firmly believe that Penn State's front four on defense, led by Carl Nassib, Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel, will be the difference in this game. I ex- pect Penn State to control the Bulldogs' rushing attack and make life miserable for Greyson Lambert. PENN STATE 24, GEORGIA 17 MATT HERB RECORD 9-3 With its subpar line, the Nittany Lions' offense can seem less threatening when it's inside the 10 than when it's slinging deep passes from well outside the red zone. That could pose a prob- lem vs. Georgia, because the Bulldogs' defense has allowed only nine TD passes all season. As was the case vs. Michigan, field goals aren't going to get the job done. GEORGIA 24, PENN STATE 16 TIM OWEN RECORD 9-3 The Bulldogs' front seven spearheads one of the three best defenses in the Southeastern Conference, and this is the matchup that I just can't foresee the Lions being able to overcome. GEORGIA 17, PENN STATE 10 RYAN SNYDER RECORD 9-3 As in so many bowl games, this one could come down to which team wants it more. I believe Georgia and Penn State will be looking to have a solid showing, but I also think the Bulldogs' personnel is a cut above the Lions'. GEORGIA 27, PENN STATE 17 D E C E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 2 BWI'S FORECAST

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