Blue White Illustrated

lems while bringing you even more of the in-depth coverage you've come to expect. The preseason publication that was printed and mailed on Aug. 21 was the biggest we've ever done, and future issues will be every bit as comprehensive. All the features that you've come to count on in BWI, like Phil's Corner, the Up Close and Per- sonal series, Varsity Views and the Last Word, as well as featured writers like Lou Prato, will continue to appear in the pages of our new and improved magazine. We're excited about the improve- ments we've made, and we hope read- ers will share our enthusiasm. As these changes continue to unfold, we'll be certain to keep you updated via email, regular mail or the pages of this magazine. SITE LINES WEB SURVEY HOW WOULD YOU GRADE PENN STATE AT MIDSEASON? Offense: A- It didn't help that we lost a couple key players, but some- times you need to lose big-ticket players to reveal, potentially, even better ones. Allen Robinson has been more than a pleasant surprise. Defense: A It's what Penn State was built upon. A stable of lineback- ers with good defensive line play. Believe it or not, they're getting bet- ter each and every game. They may even earn extra credit by season's end if they continue to improve. Special Teams: Incomplete It looks like they haven't turned in a few assignments and are placed on academic probation. Bill O'Brien opts to go for it on fourth down more than almost every Division I football coach. It's an interesting ex- periment and it seems to be paying off. What we lose in special teams confidence, we gain in offensive con- fidence, especially when we get those first downs on fourth-and-7. To add, Penn State has turned in some sloppy assignments in the punt return game, muffing a couple punts and giving the ball back to the opposing squad. It also gave up a punt return TD. NittanyAgent Offense: B This grade might be a little low for some, but I think this offense can be better once it finds a solid No. 2 receiver to complement Allen Robinson. Kyle Carter and the tight ends in general are a decent No. 2, but I think they can even im- prove, along with either Brandon Moseby-Felder or someone out of the backfield catching more balls. It would also be nice to have the occa- sional deep-ball threat. Defense: B+ Outside of the defen- sive backs seeming to never turn their head on a pass, I think they've done OK. They are still the weakest part of the D, but I'd say that's be- cause they haven't generated many picks. (The LBs have gotten a few.) The defensive line and linebacker corps have been solid-to-great through six games. The ends are do- ing OK with getting pressure on the QB, and I think they will continue to get better. Michael Mauti, Gerald Hodges, Mike Hull and the line as a whole get high praise here. Special Teams: D Special teams coverage has been OK; kickoff and punt returns have been average-to- below average. They get point de- ductions for the failed attempt of using Gerald Hodges back there in week one. Kickoffs have been good. Punts have been inconsistent. And sorry, but field goals have just been bad this year. I hope it will improve, but I don't see how it can when we are going for it on fourth down so of- ten. It would be nice to get some re- liability and trust in the kicker for all field goal attempts 35 yards and in. NittanyLager Offense: B+ Innovative. Great use of tight ends and wide receivers. Great run-throw balance and unpre- dictability. Use of up-tempo to un- balance the opposing defense. Great game planning. Needs big play (breakaway running back) and long throws to stretch the field vertically. Defense: B And improving. I really hope the long tradition of emphasis on stingy defense remains. Special Teams: D But has the po- tential to improve. Offense: B- Still needs consisten- cy, but improving each week. Matt McGloin has made some very bad throws that could be picks against the better secondaries they will face in coming weeks. Defense: B Looked bad against the run in the first three games, but has gotten better. Since the oppo- nents we will face don't pass well, it really seems this group will do bet- ter each week. Special Teams: F This is just per- sonnel. Sam Ficken can kick, but not in a game. Alex Butterworth jennjeffjoe " ! "$ ' n State boots away its scoring chances and drops a nail-biter to Virginia | KICKED TO THE CURB C $ $ " " " # $ " HARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Penn State had its chances this time. The fake punt worked. The deep throw into the end zone at the end of the first half was on target. The turnovers that never seemed to pop loose in last week's sea- son-opening loss to Ohio? They popped loose. The field goal opportunities that never seemed to arise? They arose. So why do the Nit- tany Lions find them- selves here, still winless two games into their season? They did a lot of the things they wanted to do against Virginia on Saturday. But they weren't able to take advantage of all the ork they did, $ $ GOOD NEWS Penn State showed re- silience. It moved the ball effectively at times and made some big plays on defense. BAD NEWS There's no delicate way of put- ting it: The Lions' kicking game was terrible, and it cos the team a victory THE TAKEAWAY The ated som GO, OHIO ch has led the Bobcats to bowl games each of the past three seasons. Photo courtesy of Ohio Media Relations seeking a season-opening win CRADLE & ' % ! va- e So- n, and ! around, he's getting set to return to his home state this weekend. And this time, he's angling for a really big fish – bigger, certainly, than anything he ever pulled out of the water at Fisherman's Paradise. Saturday's game against Penn State is "a eat opportunity for us," Solich said. "And along with great opportunities usually come great challenges. But it's a challenge we look for- ward to." Solich has a lot of reaso- what might seem at l opening-day mis- ditional Big Ten

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