PSU Nittany Lions

Penn State released an updated depth chart today and, although quarterback remains a question mark, some positions certainly became clearer.

Here's a closer look at some of the notable changes:

1. Lots of movement in the secondary.

Adrian Amos is the top DB for the Nittany Lions, and he shined at cornerback last season. The versatile player practiced a lot at safety this offseason, though, and the depth chart now lists him as a starting safety alongside ... well, apparently, the other starter still isn't a lock.

Stephen Obeng-Agyapong, who started last season, is listed as Amos' backup. The other starter isn't yet decided, as Bill O'Brien put the "OR" next to Malcolm Willis' name, meaning a competition is still under way between him and walk-on-turned-scholarship athlete Ryan Keiser.

At cornerback, which saw Amos and the graduated Stephon Morris as the 2012 starters, there are two new names to watch. Sophomore Jordan Lucas grabbed one starting spot, while wideout-turned-corner Trevor Williams is listed at the other. Da'Quan Davis is Lucas' backup.

2. TE-turned-OT Garry Gilliam is now up to 305 pounds.

That's a huge turnaround in less than a year. He played the role of blocking TE last year and started the season at 262 pounds. So, in about 10 months, he's gained 43 pounds. That says quite a bit about PSU's strength and conditioning program. He's currently listed as Dononvan Smith's backup at left tackle.

3. Kyle Baublitz will start alongside DaQuan Jones at DT.

Redshirt freshman Austin Johnson received a lot of praise over the spring, and he seemed poised to grab the starting spot. But the more-experienced Baublitz is instead part of the first-string lineup.

Baublitz played in six games last year, and the most recent roster puts him at 286 pounds -- 32 pounds lighter than Jones and 11 pounds lighter than Johnson. He had two tackles and one sack last year.

4. The long-snapper is ... MLB Glenn Carson?

At least for now, it is. Sean Corcoran is an incoming run-on who's expected to compete for the starting snapping jobs, so Carson's name there could be short-lived.

5. Bill Belton remains the No. 2 RB, while Brandon Moseby-Felder will still start opposite WR Allen Robinson.

Neither was a big surprise, but there were questions surrounding both players. Akeel Lynch is the no. 3 RB, while Eugene Lewis-Matt Zanellato are the receiving backups. (Lewis should still see a considerable amount of time on the field, obviously.)

Moseby-Felder nursed a leg injury last season, which slowed him down in the early going, and he could be a nice surprise this season. Early enrollee Richy Anderson might have garnered his share of pats on the back, too, but he's listed as a fourth-stringer. A redshirt could be in his future.

6. Charles Idemudia is the non-scholarship LB to watch.

Yes, the starting lineup is still Mike Hull-Carson-Nyeem Wartman ... but that was never really in doubt. With just five scholarship linebackers on the roster -- six once Brandon Bell gets on campus -- a walk-on was poised to see some time.

PSU's players threw around a couple names, such as Adam Cole and Matthew Baney, but Idemudia is the only non-scholarship LB listed on the depth chart.

7. Kick/punt returners listed.

PSU tried a few different players on special teams last season. But as of now Belton and Alex Kenney are listed as the top-two kick returners, with Jesse Della Valle as the top punt returner. Those three had the most kick/punt returns last season, so it's not a huge shock to see those names again. One interesting change, though? Anderson is the No. 2 PR.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Bill O'Brien crossed his arms and furiously chewed a piece of gum when the inevitable question was asked Saturday: Was the Penn State coach any closer to naming a starting quarterback?

He had to know the question was coming. That was the storyline of the Blue-White Game, the main topic fans discussed in the stands, and a topic that reporters have peppered him about every time O'Brien has made himself available.

"No, I'm not any closer," he said. "But I enjoy coaching both guys and, eventually, we'll have to make a decision. But I'm not ready to make that right now."

Inconsistency appeared to be theme of the day for junior college newcomer Tyler Ferguson and returning sophomore Steven Bench. O'Brien didn't use that term, but he might as well have. He said the pair obviously would've liked to have some plays back but also made some nice throws.

(Read full post)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Bill O'Brien wasn't overly pleased with his quarterbacks at the beginning of Wednesday's practice. The fiery coach yelled early on at the four signal-callers, "You do not want me to play quarterback, because I can't throw."

The media were allowed to attend about 30 minutes of Penn State's fifth spring practice, and the defense seemed to get the better of the offense during a brief battle. Juco quarterback Tyler Ferguson took snaps with the the first team during the offense-defense competition, while Steven Bench went with the second team. (They alternated first-team snaps during walk-throughs.)

The offense had four chances to reach a first down, and Ferguson opened up by connecting with Allen Robinson on a seven-yard pass. That was the offensive highlight of the two series, however, as linebacker Glenn Carson stopped Zach Zwinak at the line of scrimmage, then Ferguson was nearly "sacked" on a play-action pass.

Bench didn't fare any better and didn't complete a pass in four downs. In what might have been the best overall play, defensive end Brad Bars made nice penetration, then leaped in the air to deflect a screen pass. His teammates yelled, "Oooooh," because of the impressive vert, but Bench actually caught the rebound. Still, the play was whistled dead.

Bill Belton ran twice without much success, and Bench then held on to the ball for what seemed like an eternity. At least two linemen could've sacked him had he not been wearing a red shirt, and he ended up scrambling to the outside. That play also was blown dead.

The offense was forced to do five hit-its as a result of losing the competition. Obviously, eight snaps and a handful of passes don't genuinely reflect the quarterbacks' overall success, but it at least offered a glimpse.

Injury report: Tight end-turned-offensive tackle Garry Gilliam did not take part in practice because of an injury to his right calf. He's week-to-week. ... Stephen Obeng-Agyapong (shoulder) and Kyle Carter (wrist) wore red shirts but practiced. ... DT DaQuan Jones spent the first few minutes of practice with the first team during walk-throughs but was not wearing pads and did not participate in contact drills. The nature of his injury was not immediately clear, but a spokesman said it wasn't serious. ... Tight end Adam Breneman also wore a red shirt -- something he didn't do in the first practice -- and had his right arm taped up.

Visitors: Members of the Cornell coaching staff were on hand to watch practice, and two 2014 recruits also walked around the practice field to take in the sights.

ESPN Watch List QB Michael O'Connor (Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy) and cornerback Marcus Whitfield talked to their respective position coaches and watched from the sideline.

Starting lineup: At wide receiver, Robinson and Brandon Moseby-Felder lined up as the starters, while both Austin Johnson and C.J. Olaniyan practiced with the first-team defense.

In a curious move, Donovan Smith was limited while Eric Shrive replaced him. Smith received some one-on-one instruction at times, and it wasn't clear if he was injured.

Regardless, it didn't seem serious. Smith is the clear starter, and reporters were told this was the first practice where Smith was treated like that.

Special teams' woes: The field-goal unit practiced what appeared to be extra points. (The yardage markers run parallel to the posts, so it's not clear.) On one snap, center Ty Howle tossed it back a little low and the holder wasn't able to get a handle it.

It rocketed behind the kicker when Ryan Keiser couldn't grab it in time. PSU was inconsistent on special teams last season, and mistakes like that are exactly what it can't afford in the regular season.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- While Bill O'Brien's voice carried over the field Monday afternoon, quarterbacks coach Charlie Fisher directed his players in a calmer manner.

During position drills at Penn State's first spring practice, Fisher stood about five yards in front of his four quarterbacks as they took turns taking three- and five-step drops. The quartet of red jerseys would look at Fisher, quickly scan the field and then throw to a stationary receiver.

"Eyes here," Fisher told sophomore Steven Bench in a conversational tone, pointing to his his right. "Work through it, work through it."

Bench or Tyler Ferguson could wind up as the starting quarterback come Aug. 31, and Monday offered a glimpse of the two signal-callers. Media were invited to attend 20 minutes of open practice, and O'Brien began by calling together a competition: A defensive back would line up against a wideout or tight end in press coverage, while Bench and Ferguson would alternate snaps.

The first team -- offense or defense -- to win three battles would be declared the winner. The losers would be forced to perform five hit-its. It was more for honor than anything and only four passes were thrown while the quarterbacks tried to shake off the rust.

Bench began by just overthrowing Allen Robinson on a roughly 35-yard pass, and Ferguson then hit Jesse James in stride downfield on an over-the-shoulder grab. Bench followed that up by throwing behind his target on cross route, and Ferguson barely overthrew Matt Lehman for two straight incompletions.

The offense, along with Ferguson and Bench, then hit the turf for their hit-its while the defense cheered.

"They're both athletic, they both can throw the football," O'Brien said during a Monday news conference. "Now it's going to depend on how well they make decisions and how accurately they throw the ball.

"They sit in the front row, they pay attention, they take a lot of notes. It's a fun group to be around."

(Read full post)

Penn State's Garry Gilliam has been granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, giving him two seasons left.

Gilliam suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the Big Ten opener against Iowa in 2010. He missed the remainder of that season and all of the 2011 campaign after an infection delayed his surgery and rehabilitation. Gilliam has played tight end for Penn State but moved to offensive tackle following the 2012 season, an understandable move as Penn State boasts tremendous depth at tight end with Kyle Carter, Jesse James and Matt Lehman.

The 6-foot-6, 262-pound Gilliam started eight games at tight end in 2012 and had eight receptions for 65 yards. Penn State loses one starting offensive tackle in Mike Farrell, so Gilliam will have a chance to compete for significant playing time this spring.

He'll be eligible to play in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Players' tweets start up a little after 4:30 a.m., that strange time when it's not quite day and not quite night. Traffic lights blink yellow along College Avenue, and -- outside of a whirring Herr's potato chip truck -- the roads are silent.

On this starless night ... or morning (take your pick) ... players pry their heads off their pillows and descend on the nearby Lasch Football Building. Streetlights around town still shine, and not a single student is spotted walking on a campus that holds more than 40,000.

But Garry Gilliam, a tight end turned offensive tackle, is up. He tweeted, at 4:39 a.m, "They sleep, we grind. They dream, we shine."

On this Friday, Penn State football players' days have already started. In about 30 minutes, their morning workouts will begin.

5:12 a.m.

Bill O'Brien walks onto the field with a whistle draped around his neck. The players are still inside the building, throwing on their gray T-shirts and blue shorts, and Penn State's dimple-chinned coach awaits them in the 31-degree weather.

Four bright stadium lights for the practice field are flipped on, and snow covers the perimeter of the turf. O'Brien chats with the staff and grad assistants, who constantly shift their weight from one leg to another to stay warm. He's cracking jokes, smiling and seems to be acting as if it's 3 p.m. He's ready.

"We should've had this at 3," he says with a nod.

About five minutes later, players burst from the weight room doors. Some hold their hands in the air, almost as if they're running through the south tunnel of Beaver Stadium. They yell, they chatter, they run.

The nearby stereo starts blaring LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," and the drills begin.

5:28 a.m.

Strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald, an eccentric-but-beloved guy who's been known to lick the weight room floor and do the worm in pregames, is dressed in his trademark shorts, backward hat and T-shirt.

Players break into six groups. Some flip tires, others weave through cones, and others stretch. Fitzgerald guides about a dozen to the northwest corner of the field. If he pumps his arms left, they go left. Right, they go right. Down? Their stomachs kiss the turf.

But O'Brien isn't liking what he's seeing. He cuts the music, and the entire field falls silent like a third-grade classroom that's ticked off the schoolteacher for the last time.

"I don't see the intensity I'm expecting!" O'Brien barks. "Let's do it!"

The pace noticeably picks up.

(Read full post)

In the next week, NittanyNation will be taking a glance at different positions and their outlook for next season.

TIGHT ENDS

• Who: Some players have taken to referring to Penn State as "Tight End U," and after one season, that's not much of an exaggeration. Kyle Carter received Mackey Award consideration and this group of tight ends was among the most utilized in the nation. Jesse James became more effective as the year wore on and Matt Lehman also evolved into a solid target. Early enrollee Adam Breneman is a versatile guy with the ability to block, and he should be recovered from a torn ACL in time for the season. (He's still likely to redshirt, however.) As long as he does redshirt, rising redshirt freshman Brent Wilkerson could get playing time. Garry Gilliam is also the best blocker here, and it would surprise no one to see him lined up in goal-line sets.

• Strengths: Carter has the best hands on this team -- and he's actually the smallest target at tight end. James stands an impressive 6-foot-7, and Lehman and Gilliam are both 6-6. This group created a lot of matchup problems with their height and hands, and the tight end was Matt McGloin's No. 2 target behind record-breaker Allen Robinson. Carter finished second on the team in receptions, while Lehman finished No. 4. This is a great group to have in the red zone -- James had five TDs on 15 catches -- and it will be depended upon again in the upcoming season.

• Weaknesses: Gilliam's great at blocking, but PSU needs to improve overall a bit in this department. Carter's a great receiving tight end, but he needs to work on consistently being able to block well. The main concern here, though, is Carter's health. Bill O'Brien said he's not sure if Carter, whose arm remains in a cast, will be back in time for spring practice. Carter was a breakout player, and PSU needs him to rebound from this injury for it to boast an effective passing attack again. His progress in the spring will be closely watched.

• Surprise player: Wilkerson. He's the wild card of this group, the tight end who will make his first appearance to PSU fans at the Blue-White Game. He's a tough player who was projected at defensive end when he committed to PSU last season, but he's already left his mark on this coaching staff. "Brent Wilkerson really impressed us on the practice field," O'Brien said Monday.

• Overall: If Carter wasn't injured, it would be easy to say that this group would be ready to take a giant step with everyone returning. James was a force in the last few games, and Lehman really came out of nowhere to earn playing time. But the success of this group will likely come down to just how well Carter rebounds from his injury. He's this offense's best receiving threat outside of Robinson, and his freshman season could just be a warmup for what's in store. He could still make spring practice and, even if he misses it, he'll still be able to practice in the preseason and train during the offseason. Carter will likely be fine in the end -- but injuries like this are always a concern.

After Matt Lehman's diving touchdown was ruled a fumble Saturday night, some recruits and alumni took to Twitter to express their displeasure while players later tweeted their disappointment.

NittanyNation brings you some of those memorable tweets:

S Stephen Obeng-Agyapong: The whole nation knows what really happened.....(Link)

WR Matt Zanellato: I'm not an official but I'm pretty sure that ball is over the line. But I mean they didn't review it...Oh wait (Link)

TE Garry Gilliam: Looks like a touchdown to me.. (Link)

CB Stephon Morris: This hurts. Can't let em see my tears. Last time ever wearing the away uniforms. (Link)

OG Eric Shrive: Unbelievable. (Link)

Christian Hackenberg, 2013 commit: Looks like its us against the world! I love it. (Link)

Adam Breneman, 2013 commit: PSU vs. the world. (Link)

Greg Miclisse, 2014 recruit: They cheating PSU! (Link)

Zack Mills, former PSU QB: That was a terrible review (Link)

Adam Taliaferro, former PSU CB and current Board of Trustee: Refs...you win (Link)

Mike Pereira, former VP of Officiating for NFL (no PSU affiliation): It's a close play in PSU/NEB but if it was me I would've reversed it to a touchdown. Seems to have control when the ball broke the plane. (Link)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Kyle Carter walked off the practice field Wednesday after team stretches, and Bill O'Brien said a final determination of his status wouldn't come until later in the week.

"We'll have to monitor him at the end of the week and see how he can cut and do certain things, to determine whether he can play or not," O'Brien said.

It wasn't clear whether Carter could participate in any contact drills because the practice was open for just 30 minutes. Still, the redshirt freshman was listed as "probable" on the injury report following Saturday's injury, and players said he alternated between the training room and practice the last two days.

He favored his left side Wednesday, and his left ankle was wrapped with white tape. Fully recovered or not, wideout Allen Robinson said he didn't expect to see his teammate sitting on the sidelines against Purdue.

"Honestly, I don't think that's going to be the case," Robinson said. "But if that's going to be the case, we definitely have tight ends to step up. I'm definitely confident that, if that were to happen, we'd have someone step in."

(Read full post)

For two decades, high school athletes from Ohio drove across the Pennsylvania border to play in the annual Big-33 Football Classic, an all-star game that pitted players from the two states against one another.

Not anymore.

After speaking with other nearby states, the Big 33 announced Wednesday it has not renewed its five-year contract with Ohio and instead inked one with Maryland. The Keystone state will now play Maryland for at least the next five years, starting June 15, 2013.

(Read full post)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Call Navy one dimensional. Go on, call them predictable.

Penn State's players know what's coming. Everyone does. Navy's recipe for success hasn't been a recipe inasmuch as it's been a single ingredient: Run.

But knowing what's coming and knowing how to stop it are two very different challenges.

They're good at what they do, and they're fast," defensive end Pete Massaro said. "There's no way you can get a scout-team offense up to that level in just a few days."

Loading the box is one solution, but it's a lot like marking "C" on a Scantron test: It can't be the answer every time. With the triple option, Navy can roll around the outside if a defensive end bites. If the DBs hesitate, watch out for the play-action.

Through sleight-of-hand and a tricky set-up, Navy has ridden this offense to become one of the country's premier running teams. Since 2002, the Middies have consistently ranked as one of the nation's top four rushing teams.

Well, except for 2010. That was a down year. Navy finished just sixth nationally and rushed for a paltry 284.8 yards a game.

"You have to change up your whole defense for a team like Navy, Georgia Tech and any triple-option team," cornerback Adrian Amos said.

Bill O'Brien preached discipline this week like Navy preached ball-control. For Penn State to out-muscle a team that runs four times for every pass, their front-seven can't be out of position.

Quarterback Trey Miller will dive forward more often than he drops back. Noah Copeland and at least half-a-dozen other running backs will record a carry. O'Brien knows what to expect -- everybody does -- it's just a question of the outcome.

"I didn't schedule Navy," O'Brien said with a laugh.

Surprise tailback? O'Brien offered fans a bit of a riddle during his weekly radio show Thursday.

"We're going to do a few different things on Saturday," he said. "There' be one other guy back there that you haven't seen carrying the football."

O'Brien told fans they'd have to see Saturday who it was, but reporters and fans have already ventured quite a few guesses: Gerald Hodges, Paul Jones, Glenn Carson, P.J. Byers, Alex Kenney, Akeel Lynch, Garry Gilliam, etc.

Byers and Lynch are the favorites, but one can never tell with O'Brien -- who used a linebacker (Hodges) to return kicks during Game 1.

Leading the Big Ten: Even if sophomore wideout Allen Robinson fails to record a catch Saturday, he could still lead the conference in receptions.

He currently has 19 catches, while Purdue's O.J. Ross is second with 13 grabs. Robinson might have even had 21 catches -- if he didn't drop two on back-to-back plays last week.

"I had a couple drops this week because of lack of concentration," he said. "I just can't let that happen anymore. ... I need to focus and make sure I'm looking the ball in."

Where's Amos? O'Brien said in the preseason that Amos could play anywhere: safety, cornerback -- even linebacker.

Against a run-first offense like Navy, which requires some sure-tacklers, it'll be interesting to see where Amos lines up. If O'Brien wants to move Amos around in the early part of the season, this game seems like his best bet.

Stopping the run: Deion Barnes might be the team's best pass-rusher -- he's tied for the Big Ten lead in sacks with three -- but he admitted this week he needs to get better at stopping the run.

With the better run-stuffer, Massaro, likely out with several injuries, Navy could target the redshirt freshman.

"You got to read blocks better," Barnes said. "You have to be more attentive this week."

Trick plays: O'Brien was asked Thursday if he planned to use many trick plays against Navy, like last week's fake punt that resulted in a 19-yard scamper by a linebacker.

"We're going to pull out all the stops," he said. "So we got a few trick plays for Saturday, and we'll see if we can pull them out. When you call them, you want them to work."