Penn State was dealt a blow Monday when redshirt junior Donovan Smith announced he would forgo his final season of eligibility and declare for the 2015 NFL draft, a move that strips an already-young offensive line of its most veteran member. Smith started 31 games in his three-year career, earning a prominent role on the Nittany Lions’ line as a redshirt freshman in 2012. On the same day, Penn State…
KSN Podcast: Penn State-Boston College Pinstripe Bowl review
Penn State wrapped up its 2014 season in dramatic fashion with a 31-30 victory over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl. The Nittany Lions capitalized on a Golden Eagles missed extra point in the first overtime period, when Christian Hackenberg connected with tight end Kyle Carter for the game-winning score. After nailing the tying field goal, Sam Ficken drilled the extra point to deliver a walk-off win. The victory delivered…
KSN Podcast: Uplifting Athletes: Holiday & Bowl Season Update
Scott Shirley and Andy Shay preview the holiday and bowl season for the Uplifting Athletes chapter network, the year in review for our nonprofit organization, the college football awards, and a few personal stories from the past. Visit upliftingathletes.org for more coverage of the nonprofit organization that aligns college football with rare diseases.
KSN Podcast: Critiquing a 4-team College Football Playoff from the fan’s perspective
College football is rolling toward its first four-team playoff with Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State all vying for a national championship. The final pairing will be determined after No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Ohio State clash in the Sugar Bowl and No. 2 Oregon and No. 3 Florida State square off in the Rose Bowl, both on New Year’s Day. The future is uncertain for a four-team…
KSN Podcast: Fantasy football Week 17 quick hits on Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Asiata, others
The fantasy football season has ended in most league formats, but a handful remain competitive entering Week 17 of the NFL season. Season finales tend to bring with them unpredictable results and individual surprises that can, and do, make unfortunate impacts on meaningful matchups in fantasy. “Week 17 never makes any sense,” former NFL fullback Jon Ritchie concluded. “It is an uncontrollable whirlwind of a week, and I just don’t…
KSN Podcast: Gauging the significance of Penn State-Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State remains an underdog in its first bowl game since the 2011 season, as the Nittany Lions get set to clash with Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl. James Franklin’s team enters the postseason with a struggling offense and losses in six of its last eight games and faces an Eagles team that plays the same brand of football with a stout defense and one-dimensional offense. Perhaps more importantly…
KSN Podcast: Breaking down Philadelphia Eagles after their elimination from NFC playoff picture
The Philadelphia Eagles were eliminated from playoff contention after suffering a third consecutive loss, a 27-24 setback to the struggling Washington Redskins. Philadelphia was ultimately done in by lackluster quarterback play, issues in its secondary and regression from a rushing attack that led the NFL in yards in 2013. So, where does Chip Kelly go from here as he enters his second offseason on the job? Is Nick Foles the…
KSN Podcast: Penn State recruits Paris Palmer, Sterling Jenkins make commitments official
Penn State has officially landed two talented offensive line recruits in four-star tackles Sterling Jenkins and Paris Palmer, who both signed paperwork to make their commitments official. Palmer, a four-star junior college recruit from Lackawanna College, signed his letter of intent on Dec. 17, while Jenkins, a four-star talent from Baldwin High School signed a financial aid agreement on Dec. 22. Jenkins and Palmer will enroll at Penn State in…
KSN Podcast: An interview with Penn State linebacker recruit Jake Cooper
Penn State is getting a certified winner in its 2015 recruiting class in Archbishop Wood linebacker Jake Cooper, a three-star prospect who has won three Pennsylvania state football titles. Cooper toughed it out through a sprained MCL in last Friday’s championship game, estimating he was at “65 or 70 percent” for Wood’s 33-14 win over Central Valley. Cooper joined Ross Tucker and Dustin Hockensmith on the Keystone Sports Network this…
KSN Podcast: Week 16 fantasy football quick hits on Joseph Randle, Harry Douglas, more
The fantasy football season has officially hit crunch time, with many league championships coming down to what happens in Week 16. Waiver wire help is in limited supply, but at least one opportunity presents itself this week in the Dallas Cowboys backfield, if DeMarco Murray (hand) is forced to miss any time. Joseph Randle could be worth a proactive add on the waiver in the event that he does get…
KSN Podcast: Penn State recruiting updates with Paris Palmer, Michael O’Connor news
Penn State landed another top offensive line recruit last week in Lackawanna College tackle Paris Palmer. Coach James Franklin flipped Palmer from his previous commitment to South Carolina, in the process adding an experienced offensive lineman to a 2015 recruiting class that made the jump to No. 9 in the nation on 247sports.com. Franklin also lost freshman quarterback Michael O’Connor, who announced his intentions to transfer, which could impact the…
KSN Podcast: Breaking down the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 15 loss to the Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys exacted revenge on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, bouncing back from an ugly Thanksgiving Day loss to hand Philadelphia a 38-27 loss at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cowboys built a big 21-0 lead early and fended off an Eagles comeback to take a one-game lead in a back-and-forth race to win the NFC East crown. With two weeks to go and winnable matchups against the New…
KSN Podcast: A final look back at the 2014 PIAA state football championships
Four high school football teams were crowned state champions at Hersheypark Stadium over the weekend, capping the end of an action-packed 2014 season. St. Joseph’s Prep, Archbishop Wood, South Fayette and Bishop Guilfoyle were all crowned champions in their respective divisions. Longtime high school football writer Andrew P. Shay and former NFL lineman Ross Tucker broke down the four championship games on this week’s Keystone Sports Network podcast. Tucker had…
KSN Podcast: PA State Football Playoffs
Ross Tucker and Andy Shay discuss the most recent playoff results and preview the State Finals.
KSN Podcast: Previewing Penn State-Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl
For the first time in three seasons, Penn State is going bowling. The Nittany Lions are back in the postseason mix after two years of bowl sanctions and their destination comes as little surprise. James Franklin and his crew are headed to New York City for the Pinstripe Bowl and a date with Boston College. The Nittany Lions and Eagles will clash Dec. 27 at 4:30 p.m. as part of…
KSN Podcast: Breaking down the 4 teams in the College Football Playoff field
The inaugural College Football Playoff field was set as the committee announced semifinalists in No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Oregon, No. 3 Florida State and No. 4 Ohio State. The Buckeyes snuck in on the strength of a 59-0 blowout win over Wisconsin, edging Big 12 co-champions Baylor and TCU, both of whom played one less game and were docked style points by not winning their conference outright. Four of…