Paterno out Zook's Zook
Week after week it is amazing that coaches don't understand math. If you weren't watching the mess that was PSU vs Ill here was the scenario.
Ill up 7-3. PSU has the ball at the 7yd line 1st and goal with 1:20 left. Both teams have all their time outs. Instead of PSU letting the clock wind down to run their plays they immediately call time out on 2 consecutive run plays so PSU scores with 1:06 to go allowing Illinois to go down the field and kick a fg to tie. It missed so no one will care but this is a truly stupid move. Knowing Zook like we do he probably would have just let time waste away, but even if Zook came out of his coma to make sound coaching moves at least you force him to use 2 time outs.
So Paterno(or whoever is in charge of letting him know there is a game on) moves Dantonio out of moron coach the day.
Dantonio was not nearly as bad, but huddling down 3 scores late in the 4th is not maximizing your chances of victory.
October 29th, 2011 at 7:07 PM ^
I would blame him more for not preparing his team to have a non-huddle offense. I think if you had to choose between a shitty hurry up offense vs. a huddle based offense that might actually work you'd go with the later even though you're up against it time-wise. Just my thought.
But I agree that Ill-PSU game was really poor time management at the end. The only thing I can think of is maybe Penn State though they needed timouts to get in the end zone there (3 pts doesn't cut it). So do whatever it takes to get 7, then worry about the game after that.
October 29th, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^
I don't mind PSU using the time outs to make sure they are in the right play, but just let the clock wind down before calling them. They have 4 offensive plays maximium left in the game and they have 3 time outs and 1:20 left. 2 scenarios should have played out.
PSU scores with 25 seconds left Ill has 3 TO left
PSU scores with 1:06 Ill has 1 TO left.
October 29th, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
Michigan State probably hasn't even installed a hurry up offense that can sustain itself outside of the 5-8 plays called during the "two-minute warning" time frame.
October 30th, 2011 at 2:54 AM ^
October 29th, 2011 at 7:17 PM ^
I said basically the same thing last week when Wisconsin was passing inside the MSU 20 with 1:30 left. Run the ball and do what you do. Run the clock down so the opponent can't score after you, then use your timeouts to ensure that you score.
October 29th, 2011 at 7:20 PM ^
PSU's clock management wasn't good, but it wasn't Zook level bad. Considering their quarterbacks are attrocious and conditions were terrible, their best bet is to run it in. You don't want the clock running out on you if you are going to take all four attempts to pound it in, so you take a time out on the first two, with the option of taking a third before a field goal if neccassary. They should have bled some time off, but I could see why they did what they did.
October 29th, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^
This is embarrassing for everyone, other conferences must look at our teams and laugh. Half of our conference struggles to score one touchdown a game, that's beyond pathetic.
October 30th, 2011 at 3:47 PM ^
Scoring offense:
Big Ten:
Minnesota (112), PSU (101), IU (89), OSU (83), MSU (74), Illinois (72), Purdue (67), Northwestern (41), Iowa (36), Michigan (28), Nebraska (22), Wisconsin (6)
SEC:
Kentucky (115), Ole Miss (103), Tennessee (96), Miss State (83), Vanderbilt (80), Florida (74), Auburn (73), South Carolina (49), Georgia (45), Arkansas (19), LSU (12), Alabama (11)
The Big Ten averages to 61, which is between Miami and NC State, about 28ppg. The SEC averages 63, which is the same rank NC State holds. If other conferences look at the Big Tens offenses and laugh, they are very stupid.
October 29th, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^
I think it was in the 2nd, Penn St. was down on the goaline and there was a decision to be made on whether or not to go for it on 4th dn. The camera was focused on Jo Pa up in the booth and the announcers said somethin like, "Paterno has a huge decision to make". He was nodding out, mid day, during a Penn St. football game, unbeleavable.
Does anyone still think that he has anything to do with any decision's at all?
October 29th, 2011 at 8:01 PM ^
He is never seen wearing headphones or talking to any one. He always has his glasses off. He can't even see the field (although they have him propped up looking out the window). Someone needs to check if he is breathing.
The shame of any victory is the "real" decision maker is not getting credit for a win.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:31 PM ^
It's sad but Paterno obviously has next to nothing to do with the gameday happenings for PSU. He just sits up there and watches the game like a fan. Supposedly he writes some playcalls on a piece of paper and hands it to someone every once in a while. JoePa is pretty much a recruiting tool and an emotional leader for PSU now.
October 30th, 2011 at 12:08 AM ^
Yeah, and unfortunately that's why him getting the all time win record is somewhat bogus. I understand the sentiment and all but it really shouldn't count unless he can at least stand on the sideline.
October 30th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^
doubtful
October 29th, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^
Clock management by Penn State was pretty bad, but it wasn't quite "WTF Ron?", or Zook bad. They don't have anyone at QB that can manage the game and make it run smoothly, and considering how things were going on offense, they needed every out and every opportunity to call a time out that they could get.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:55 PM ^
with Paterno's timeout use down there as well. Especially if he was only going to write Power 47 on a piece of paper...
October 30th, 2011 at 12:29 AM ^
The BIG is archaic when it comes to game theory....
October 30th, 2011 at 12:55 AM ^
that Paterno had any idea what was going on out there at all.
October 30th, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^
The int for PSU that wasn't an int when they were fighting for the ball and the non-call on the obvious head shot. Just say'in.
October 30th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
Knowing Zook like we do he probably would have just let time waste awayHe did. First down at the PSU 33 with 17 seconds left, and he called a running play to set up the FG. No attempt at going for the win.