2020 Penn State Nittany Lions

[Shadowlight]

From 2005 white starters are 8,10,9,8,12,10,8,10,9,10,8,8,8,6 and 8 last year. This year just 5.

There was a moment last year when HC Franklin was considering the Florida State job. I was hoping like hell he would take it but it never happened. So he is back and that is terrible news. I have been harping on Franklin for a long time now. It was easy to detect his iron caste recruiting methods and as each passing year goes by the fruits of his labor become more obvious. When you recruit the way he does it is only natural the team will turn into an SEC looking outfit.

He did break precedent by getting QB Sean Clifford's dynamic 2021 WR brother Liam but that is a one shot deal. Sean showed some nice flashes last year and looks to build up his resume. Back up QB Levis is an animal. The breaking news today reports star and possible first round draft pick TE Pat Freiermuth will play this season after reports that he had opted out. They have one of the fastest players in all of college football on their roster in junior safety Drew Hartlaub #37 ( 4.2 40 yard dash) but he is slotted for special teams who might see some time as a back up safety. Maybe?

Players to watch: TE Zach Kuntz, OL Bryce Effner, QB Will Levis, S Drew Hartlaub, WR/ST Isaac Lutz and LB Charlie Katshir.

OFFENSE:
QB Ryan Clifford (JR)
OG Mike Miranda (JR)
OC Michel Menet ( SR)
OT Will Fires (SR)
TE Pat Freiermuth (JR)

DEFENSE:

 

[Bucky]

Zero on Defense us disappointing

 

[Leonardfan]

Wow no white defensive starters. Sad

 

[wile]

Unanimous vote by the Big 10 for football, funny that from the PLAGUE of doom to playing enough football to get the Ohio State a chance at the playoffs.

 

[Don Wassall]

During my junior and senior years at Penn State, I worked in the broadcast booth keeping stats for the football and basketball teams for an early cable company that was televising the games. That was in the midst of the long running glory years of Joe Paterno's reign as the king of Happy Valley.

Those teams had White stars all over the place and were outstanding squads, particularly the '78 team, which went undefeated only to lose to Alabama 14-7 in the Sugar Bowl. The '79 team went 8-4 and won the Liberty Bowl. The promise of that season was waylaid courtesy of a huge upset when Miami won at University Park 26-10. The Hurricanes were led by an up-till-then unknown freshman quarterback from Western Pennsylvania named Jim Kelly. That game was the springboard for Kelly's subsequent college and professional success.

Some players I can think of from those teams who went on to the NFL were DE/LB Matt Millen, DT Leo Wisniewski, WR Jimmy Cefalo, FB Matt Suhey, QB Jeff Hostetler, QB Todd Blackledge, QB Chuck Fusina, RB Mike Guman, and OL Mike Munchak. They had a record setting WR named Scott Fitzkee who was on the fringes of the NFL but never got an opportunity, typical Caste System treatment even then, but overall Penn State football, college football and the NFL was considerably different in that era from the rigid racial head-counting and discrimination that goes on now, discrimination and lack of opportunity that always works only against White athletes.

 

[Don Wassall]

I was just checking Scott Fitzkee's NFL stats on Pro Football Reference. He played two years with the Eagles, who drafted him in the fifth round, then two with the Chargers before disappearing into the mist. What struck me were his stats from 1980 with Philly -- 6 catches for 169 yards (!!) and 2 TDs, for an average per catch of 28.2 yards. Six catches is a small statistical sample but I can't recall any receiver, college or pro, with that kind of ridiculous ypc other than Chase Lyman when he played for Cal.

Fitzkee's long reception that year was just 48 yards, so it's not like he had one for 99 yards and then 5 others for 70. He was obviously a big play threat, but even in the early '80s that role for White receivers was well on the way to being extinguished.

Fitzkee had just 17 career NFL catches, for 321 yards and 4 TDs. Another long-forgotten White receiver who could have been a star if given a fair opportunity.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Cool story Don you keeping stats @ Penn State! Remember that Alabama-Penn State Sugar Bowl as a little kid!

Too bad Chase Lyman couldn't overcome knee injury. I remember the Saints Kieth Poole had a gaudy Avg. in 98' ...only 24 catches for 509 yards (21.2 led NFL). Vaguely remember Fitzkee being a back up w Air Coryell/ Dan Fouts. That was an impressive average!

Sad to see Penn State with NO white starters on Defense. They should be at least comparable to the diverse Clemson with their Depth Chart. Being a southern school makes it that much more impressive.

Nice write up Shadowlight! Will keep an eye on Drew Hartlaub ! Maybe LB Charlie Katshir be a starter eventually....
TE Freirmuth has some baby Gronk in him...could go in late 1st Round!