The Penn State Nittany Lions are looking to improve on their 2010 record of 7-6 (4-4 Big Ten) as they open the season at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 3.

Quarterback Rob Bolden

Penn State’s quarterback position is a big concern as Rob Bolden and matt McGloin continue to vie for snaps.  Although two quarterback systems have limitations (i.e. neither getting enough reps in practice and earning a solid relationship with receivers), the Nittany Lions seem headed in that direction.  The running back position also needs a new starter (since perennial 1,000 yard rusher and all time rushing leader Evan Royster has moved on) and is leaning toward sophomore Silas Redd to fill the void and provide a solid ground game carry the offense.  The wide receiving corps returns its two top pass catchers, Derek Moye and Justin Brown and if tight end Andrew Szczerba can return from a season ending back injury last season, that will be a boost to the offense.  The offensive line has three starters returning but must rely on an unproven sophomore to the fill the guard position vacated by NFL Draftee Stefen Wisniewski.

Penn State Defense

The Penn State defense had only 17 sacks all last season and hopes that defensive ends Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore, both missed significant time last year due to injury, can provide a consistent pass rush.  The run stopping duo of defensive tackles Devon Still and Jordan Hill will stabilize the line and allow the ends and linebackers to have open space to pursue the quarterback and running backs.  The linebacking corps is the anchor of the defensive unit and is led by junior standout Michael Mauti who is a vocal leader on and off the field.  Junior Gerald Hayes has skills that allow him to rush the passer, stop the run and cover running backs and tight ends out in coverage, plays alongside Mauti.  The secondary will get a boost from the return of free safety Nick Sukay who also missed games in 2010 and will also look for cornerback D’Anton Lynn to have a breakout year.

Penn State Special Teams

Another question that needs to be sorted out is the placekicker position with the team’s punter, sophomore Anthony Fera looking to pull double duty as the kicker as well.  Fera has not been a placekicker since High School but the only other option at the kicker position is an incoming freshman.  With close games always a possibility in Big Ten play (especially when the weather turns bad) a solid kicker can mean the difference between a win or a loss.

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The 2011 college football season kicks off in earnest with a full schedule of games starting the weekend of September 3^rd.  Here is a list of potential candidates to receive the Heisman Trophy which is handed out in December:

Andrew Luck Heisman Candidate 

Andrew Luck (Stanford) finished 2^nd in last year’s voting and passed up on turning pro, to return for his junior season.  Luck threw for over 3,330 yards with 32 touchdowns and completion percentage of over 70%.  He also ran the ball for 453 yards and had 3 rushing touchdowns.  The biggest obstacle for Luck to overcome may be the loss of his head coach Jim Harbaugh to the pros.

Kellen Moore Heisman Trophy Candidate

Kellen Moore (Boise State) finished 4^th in last year’s Heisman voting after leading the Broncos to an undefeated season as well as leading the nation in passing efficiency.  As a three year starter, Moore has accumulated 129 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions.  The knock on Moore is his inability to gain yardage out of the pocket where last year his net rushing yards were -32.

Denard Robinson Heisman Trophy Candidate 

Denard Robinson (Michigan) burst onto the scene last year becoming the Heisman frontrunner after a 5-0 start but injuries and mounting losses derailed his candidacy.  Robinson threw for over 2,500 yards and had 18 touchdowns and ran for over 1,700 yards and had 14 rushing touchdowns.  Robinson needs to prove he can stay healthy and excel in a new offense.

LiMichael James Heisman Trophy Candidate  

LiMichael James (Oregon) passed up on entering the NFL draft this year after finishing 3^rd in the Heisman voting in 2010.  James gained almost 2,000 yards of total offense (rushing and receiving) and scoring 24 touchdowns.  He averaged almost 6 yards per carry and helped the Oregon passing offense with 17 receptions for over 200 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Justin Blackmon Heisman Trophy Candidate 

Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State) had 111 receptions for over 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns as the leading wide receiver in the nation last year.  Blackmon also rushed and returned a kickoff for touchdowns.  The biggest obstacle that may be facing Blackmon is the position he plays, wide receiver.

Other players to watch in the 2011 Heisman race include:

Landry Jones (Oklahoma) who threw for over 4,700 yards and had 38 touchdowns while completing 65% of his passes.  Jones’ lack of rushing skills could hold him back in the race.

Darron Thomas (Oregon) completed 61% percent of his passes for 30 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions.  He also can run out of the pocket, rushing for 486 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Thomas’ biggest obstacle might be his own teammate LiMichael James if they split the Heisman votes.

Chris Polk (Washington) ran for over 1,400 yards and 9 touchdowns in an offense that he was not the focal point of (Jake Locker, the quarterback was).  Polk also caught 22 passes for 180 yards out of the backfield.

Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina) as a freshman last season ran for over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns.  Lattimore was also an asset in the passing game with 29 receptions and 2 touchdowns.

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Michael Vick made 100 million dollars this week. The 31 year old signed a six year contract this Monday with the Philadelphia Eagles and has thus promise to throw a football in exchange for said amount of money. Of course, he won’t see all of that money as he owes creditors a reported 19 million dollars and will probably be paying taxes. Also, it is rare that six year contracts are fulfilled and only 40 million dollars of that contract is guaranteed. Still we shouldn’t feel too bad for Michael Vick, as he will still be getting to keep at least 11 million dollars for himself.

Coming Back From Prison

This is surely redemption for Michael Vick. For those of you that don’t watch sports, the news, or own a dog, Michael Vick has had a tumultuous four years. In August of 2007, Michael Vick pled guilty to federal charges in the “Bad Newz Kennels” dog fighting investigation. Michael Vick was subsequently suspended from the NFL indefinitely and more seriously, sentenced to prison.

Vick was set to be released on July 20, 2009, but he received early release and was able to spend the final months of his release on home arrest in Hampton, Virginia. He worked briefly as a construction laborer, as part of his probationary status, but found reinstatement to the NFL in the summer of 2009 and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles shortly thereafter. The contract was for one year and provided no guaranteed money, but allowed Vick to put into place the bankruptcy plan that had not been permitted by a judge earlier that year.

Vick Back in the NFL

Michael Vick played little in 2009. Donovan McNabb was still the team’s quarterback and Vick was installed into the offense sparingly and often as little more than a decoy. He played 12 games, but threw just 13 passes and completed just six of them.

2010 brought the end of the Donovan McNabb error, but that meant little for the former Falcons quarterback. The Eagles exercised their option on Vick and he received a 1.5 million dollar bonus and was thus able to keep paying his bills. Kevin Kolb was projected as the quarterback of the future and Vick was to serve as his back-up. But on the 21^st of September 2010, Andy Reid named Michael Vick the team’s starter and Vick never looked back. He was named the NFC Offensive player of the month for September and his only real setback came with a rib injury in week four.

Vick making Big Plays

Vick’s biggest moments came late in the year and were spectacular. On November 15, the Philadelphia Eagles played their division rival the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. Vick passed for 333 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 80 yards and two touchdowns. All this occurred against opposing quarterback, former Philadelphia Eagle, and the man Michael Vick used to back-up, Donovan McNabb. The game was a blowout at 59-28 and Vick was asked for his jersey by the Hall of Fame.

Vick’s second biggest game of the year came against another division rival, the New York Giants. On December 19^th, the Eagles entered the fourth quarter down by 21 points and exited with a win. The victory came on what might have been the play of the year by Desean Jackson, but was set-up by three touchdown scores by Michael Vick.  The last of his touchdowns was scored by Michael Vick with less than two minutes to go in the game.

Michael Vick Comeback Player of the year

The Philadelphia Eagles ultimately lost in the playoffs against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, but Vick was still named The Comeback Player of the Year and the Eagles placed the Franchise tag placed upon him in February of 2011. The NFL lockout stymied potential negotiations during the traditional offseason, but this August the deal got done and as was previously stated, Michael Vick is now planning on getting 100 million dollars.

Some NFL experts have questioned the deal, as Vick is a “mobile” over 30 quarterback that got sacked 48 times last year. These are certainly not facts that tend to lend themselves to longevity, but the Eagles are clearly unperturbed. The city of Philadelphia may struggle to remember a time when their star quarterbacks were not mobile: Randall Cunningham and Donovan McNabb. Andy Reid is clearly high on the quarterback and the Eagles had already dealt the younger Kevin Kolb and had thus already committed to the future of Michael Vick.

Regardless, of how you feel about Vick or how he does from this point forward, this is a story of redemption.

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A regular season NFL game is a single entity. There is a rhythm to the madness and there are certainly ups and downs to each game, but it is always a battle between two teams with the same motive being shared by every player. Preseason games are not any of those things. A preseason game has multiple strings to be played and plucked. It has grizzled veterans and new faces. Some already have guaranteed starting positions and are merely trying to shore up their skill set, but without getting injured. Others are hoping to move into a more glamorous or important role on the team.  Some of these men are fighting for paychecks and too avoid spending the next year substitute teaching and selling used cars. Those are the ones for which you have to cheer the hardest.

Steelers Offense 

The Steelers first unit offense looked good. Antonio “Young Money” Brown caught two touchdown passes, 137 yards, and two debatably impressive touchdown celebrations. Ben Roethlisberger looked efficient and sharp as he went 11/16 with two touchdowns, no interceptions, and three touchdown drives. Rashard Mendenhall paid the price for two long passing touchdowns and thus saw relatively little work for the second to last preseason game. Mendenhall did manage a touchdown, but he also carried the ball just seven times and for eight yards. Tomlin referenced the big plays in a negative manner, when he said during halftime that his team had “to win the hard way” an obvious reference to a frustration that the Steeler’s big plays had kept him from getting some of his players the work Tomlin felt they needed.

Starting Defense

The Steelers first team defense had ups and downs, as they gave up 16 points in the first half, but also had a spectacular interception and return by Lawrence Timmons. The first team defense had few other plays of note, as they were playing against the always efficient and excellent Matt Ryan. The Steelers’ first team defense did manage to hold the Falcons out of the end zone until the second quarter when Pro Bowler Roddy White caught a ten yard TD pass from Ryan and it should be noted that the Steelers’ explosive offense left their defensive counterparts for the significant majority of the first half and thus left them at a serious disadvantage.

Maurkice Pouncey Ankle Injury

Before the first units had exited the game, the Pittsburgh side had a fair share of injuries. Maurkice Pouncey exited the game with an ankle injury, but reports early are hopeful for his return by the regular season. Keenan Lewis added to the thin nature of the cornerback position by going down with a knee injury in the first half. Ike Taylor and Bryant Mcfadden are already out. Byron Leftwich broke his arm in the second half and will likely be out as the number two quarterback for the remainder of the season.

The Backups

The back-ups or hopeful back-ups found varied success and failure on the field in the second half. After Leftwich went down, Dennis Dixon came in and went one for three passing, but with a few nice runs and one nice block downfield for budding third string running back Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer had a nice game with 36 yards on six carries and was additionally aided by a fumble out of the hands of his competition, John Clay. Clay, the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, was an undrafted rookie this year and seems to be an outside shot at best to make the team. His fumble was preceded by a monstrous blow to an offending linebacker that drew significant admiration from commentator Edmund Nelson. Wes Lyons appears to be the best receiver currently playing, that will not make the team. The former West Virginia University receiver is a 6’8” rookie and had one catch in the game, but the absence of passing in the second half could show the Steelers’ lack of interest in their reserve receivers. David Johnson had the only other catch in the second half.

95 yard interception-touchdown

The Pittsburgh reserve defense didn’t give up a single point, not one. They also scored a touchdown. In a game where the cornerback position became even thinner for the Steelers, second year man out of Clemson, Crezdon Butler returned an interception 95 yards the other way for six points. Back-up nose tackle Steve Mclendon registered a sack and perhaps a chance to edge out Chris Hoke and Mckeesport graduate and back-up safety Ryan Mundy laid the lumber against an unfortunate Falcons receiver. Jason Worilds (no that isn’t a typo) registered no tackles, but did apply significant pressure to the Falcons’ backfield and certainly showed his continued development as the heir apparent to James Harrison at outside linebacker. Perhaps most importantly, Schwayze Waters the back-up kicker, registered the coolest name on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster.

The Final Blow

Finally as is always the case in a preseason game, whether it is noticed or not, at least one NFL career ended in the Falcons-Steelers game. Miguel Chavis, an undrafted rookie free agent that had been moved from defensive end to tight end and was already VERY unlikely to make an NFL roster, tore his pectoral on his last play on an NFL field. Such is the drama and heartbreak of the NFL preseason. Some dreams are realized and some are revealed to in fact be dreams.

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The Vulcans of California University of Pennsylvania are coming off a 10-2 season and have 14 starters returning which has led to the coaches of the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Association) to pick them to sit atop the PSAC West.

California University Football Offense

Junior Peter Lalich is a 6-5 230 pound pure pocket passer who sat out last year after transferring from Oregon State and is expected to put up big numbers that go along with his big arm.  The offense that will assist Lalich in his transition are above average in talent and experience includes junior running back Lamont Smith who recorded six 100 yard rushing games last year as well as senior wide receiver Chedwick Cherry who led the PSAC with 13 touchdowns.  Junior tight end Blake Williamson was a 2010 1^st team All PSAC West selection and will provide another strong target to utilize.  The biggest question marks for the offense is who will fill the void on the offensive line where only two starters return from last year.

California University Football Defense

The defense is loaded with eight starters returning from last year’s unit, including three senior defensive linemen who will be anchors and set the tone on every series.  Two time All PSAC West 1^st team selection Brett Diamond returns at the linebacker position as a steady force in the middle.  The secondary returns four starters including senior safety Eric Harris who has recorded 145 tackles and six interceptions the past two years as well as junior safety Rontez Miles who led the team with 12 tackles for loss in 2010.

In his 10^th year Head Coach John Luckhardt has built a powerhouse at California University of PA, the expectations are at a fever pitch and it will all get under way with their first game under the lights on September 1^st against Saint Cloud State (Minnesota).

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As summer comes to a close and children prepare to return to school, additional time should be set aside to remember some of the finer points of summer. Obvious answer come to mind: bikinis, going barefoot, ice cream trucks, no school, barbecues, etc. But there is nothing better than a baseball doubleheader. Devoting a whole day to baseball, beer, hot dogs, and sun bathing is a necessary experience for any real sports fan. The Pittsburgh Pirates reminded us of this sporting necessity Monday, when they took on the Milwaukee Brewers and split an eventful two game day.

4 home runs 33 hits and 23 strikeouts

The baseball extravaganza provided 4 home runs, 33 hits, 23 strikeouts, and a well-documented all-you-can-eat marathon in the stands. Brad Lincoln made another good start in his road to redemption and the normally reliable Brewers pitching staff imploded to give the Pirates their first victory against Milwaukee since July 13^th, 2010. In total, 35 players took to the field.

The day of baseball began at 5:05 with perfect 74 degree weather and a slight breeze.  Jose Tabata had a stellar day, as though he was trying to reward the Pirates organization for his contract extension and reassure the Pirates fans as quickly as possible. Jeff Karstens posted a typically reliable seven innings and two runs, but he exited without hopes for a win for himself and the team’s hopes were soon dashed by two terrible innings of pitching relief. The game ended after two hours and 55 minutes with a Brewers win and a score of 8-1. The first three hours of baseball on Monday may have discouraged some fans, but it didn’t show in the attendance and that loyal and optimistic crowd was rewarded starting at 8:35pm.

If only they could have won it.

The Pirates had not only failed to beat the Brewers earlier that day, but for the entirety of the season. In fact not just for the entirety of the season, but for over a year. It had in fact been 404 days since the Pirates had beaten the Milwaukee Brewers and it was to feel like Monday evening was going to be their night. The Pirates had lost seven of their last ten before last night’s game. They had fallen from first to fourth since the All-Star break. Not many people at PNC Park were feeling great about the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday Night, but such is the magic of baseball.

Tie Game

With the game tied 2-2 in the seventh inning, Zach Greinke blew up and was subsequently followed by the larger explosion of Frankie De La Cruz. The Pirates scored seven runs in that seventh inning and Matt Diaz batted twice and was almost hit twice in that seventh for what would have almost certainly have been a baseball stat of note. Prince Fielder was held hitless for the entirety of the game, but did register an RBI on a groundout that scored former Pirate Nyjer Morgan.

18 innings 

Neither game was close in the 18 inning affair, but there were certainly plenty of highlights. Neither game had a significant impact of the NL Central’s standings, as both teams have been demonstrative in the last six weeks. Sadly, in different directions as the Brewers are nine games up in the division and the Pirates are 15.5 games back. The point was that someone who enjoys baseball; homeruns, stolen bases, double plays, strikeouts, good pitching, and better hitting got everything they wanted in various quantities. There may be no bad days for baseball, but this was one of the best.

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