KSN Podcast: Penn State recruiting news and notes with Scout.com analyst Brian Dohn

November 25, 2014

Penn State saw its third de-commitment in the 2015 recruiting cycle last week, this time in four-star defensive tackle Adam McLean. Coach James Franklin is left with no interior defensive linemen in the class with less than 10 weeks before National Signing Day. Scout.com national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn joined Dustin Hockensmith and Andrew P. Shay on the Keystone Sports Network podcast this week to talk about McLean, Jarvis Miller,…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State recruiting: James Franklin’s next moves after Adam McLean de-commits

November 25, 2014

Penn State is down to just one interior lineman — offensive guard Steven Gonzalez — in its nationally acclaimed 2015 recruiting class, which presents an interesting storyline to watch between now and National Signing Day. James Franklin suffered another setback on the recruiting trail last week when four-star defensive tackle Adam McLean announced his de-commitment from the program. On the heels of McLean’s de-commitment, Franklin extended a scholarship offer to…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State-Illinois review: Same issues linger in Nittany Lions’ ugly 16-14 loss

November 25, 2014

Penn State’s season sunk to a new low on the road at Illinois, suffering a 16-14 setback that again showed glaring offensive issues surrounding Christian Hackenberg and the Nittany Lions’ passing attack. The offense generated just 265 total yards against an Illini defense that entered the weekend having the Big Ten’s worst scoring defense. Penn State took a 14-10 lead early in the fourth quarter but surrendered a pair of…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State quarterback recruits and the addition of Tommy Stevens

November 20, 2014

Penn State continues to build depth in key areas as the program recovers from heavy NCAA sanctions that were imposed in 2012 and lifted completely earlier this fall. The offensive line is facing its challenges now, and the same could be said about a young group of receivers that includes talented freshmen Saeed Blacknall, Chris Godwin, DaeSean Hamilton and DeAndre Thompkins. The Nittany Lions’ quarterback depth chart is less ominous…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State-Temple review: Improved O-line play, Akeel Lynch big factors in PSU win

November 19, 2014

Penn State secured its postseason eligibility and made a statement against intrastate rival Temple with a 30-13 win that featured a season-best rushing performance. The Nittany Lions set a new season-high with 254 rushing yards and forced five turnovers to win their second straight game in advance of Saturday’s road trip to Illinois. The Penn State offense finished with a season-high 254 rushing yards behind big efforts from Akeel Lynch…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State-Temple preview: Nittany Lions favored to win big, clinch bowl eligibility

November 13, 2014

Penn State wraps up its non-conference schedule at Beaver Stadium this weekend against intrastate rival Temple in a noon kickoff at Beaver Stadium. The Owls and Nittany Lions both carry 5-4 records into the contest, making it a key week for both teams as they look to secure postseason eligibility. Penn State is 38-3-1 all-time against Temple in a series that dates back to the 1931 season. The Nittany Lions…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State recruiting update: Breaking down the Nittany Lions’ most important commits

November 12, 2014

Penn State is starting to create new momentum in its 2015 recruiting class with leads on a number of blue-chip recruits and a recent commitment from three-star quarterback Tommy Stevens. The Nittany Lions have now secured 19 verbal commitments to date and lay claim to a class that ranks No. 9 nationally by Scout.com. Coach James Franklin’s first full class at Penn State is positioned to help in a number…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State-Indiana review: Nittany Lions knocking on the door for bowl eligibility

November 11, 2014

Penn State got back into the win column in Bloomington over the weekend, snapping a run of four straight losses with a 13-7 victory over the struggling Hoosiers. The result was different, but it was more of the same for the Nittany Lions with another strong defensive effort and continued struggles to score points. Penn State managed to keep the nation’s rushing leader, Tevin Coleman, under wraps and kept the…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State-Indiana preview: Nittany Lions favored in clash of struggling teams

November 6, 2014

Penn State’s struggles have mounted and they’re not going away. A young, ineffective offensive line has been a root problem for the team’s many struggles on that side of the ball. Special teams have been inconsistent, at best, in tilting the field in the Nittany Lions’ favor, and to make matters worse, coach James Franklin has precious few personnel upgrades to make with the lingering effects of NCAA sanctions.

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KSN Podcast: Penn State-Maryland football review: Are Nittany Lions’ bowl hopes slipping away?

November 4, 2014

If Penn State didn’t recognize Maryland as a rivalry game before Saturday, it might now. The Terrapins invaded Beaver Stadium, refused to shake hands during the pregame coin toss and escaped with a 20-19 win. The Nittany Lions (4-4, 1-4 Big Ten) dropped their fourth straight contest and turned up the pressure on their postseason bowl hopes. Maryland pushed the rivalry narrative hard, and coach Randy Edsall said it was…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State-Maryland preview: Are the Nittany Lions in danger after emotional OSU game?

October 30, 2014

Penn State made a frantic comeback bid in an eventual 31-24, double-overtime loss to No. 13 Ohio State last Saturday, igniting a “White Out” crowd and playing arguably its best game of the season. The Nittany Lions’ defense pitched a second-half shutout while the offense scratched and clawed for 10 points to tie the game in the fourth quarter. The game was charged with emotion and, of course, featured two…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State-Ohio State review: A tale of three games and, of course, horrible officiating

October 30, 2014

Penn State’s upset bid fell short in a 31-24 double-overtime loss to No. 13 Ohio State in a game that was marked by two officiating blunders and a dominant second-half performance by the Nittany Lions defense. But coach James Franklin said there were no “moral victories” to be had, instead chalking up the narrow loss as simply Penn State’s third straight defeat. The primetime game in front of a capacity…

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KSN Podcast: Penn State recruiting updates, impact of Ohio State and Maryland games

October 28, 2014

Penn State got a jolt of energy to its recruiting efforts last weekend when the Nittany Lions put on a good show in front of a White Out crowd at Beaver Stadium. While Penn State lost to No. 13 Ohio State, 31-24, in two overtimes, coach James Franklin showcased an elite defense and raucous home environment to over 100 blue-chip high school recruits on the sideline. Among them were four-star…

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