Shelbee’s Sunday Morning Quarterback #7: An Ugly Win is Still a Win
#18 Penn State Nittany Lions 33 – Indiana Hoosiers 28
Welcome to the seventh episode of Shelbee’s Sunday Morning Quarterback! And here’s my husband, the Sunday Morning Quarterback, with the highlights from yesterday’s Penn State game against Indiana.
An Ugly Win is Still a Win
Following consecutive losses to Ohio State and Michigan State, a game against Indiana may have been what the doctor ordered to right the Nittany Lions season. Sporting a 20-1 career record against the Hoosiers, they seemed like the perfect opponent to get the team ready for a brutal three week stretch coming up against Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin, all of whom are ranked in the Top 25. Unfortunately, Indiana would not go quietly into the night this Saturday, accumulating over 550 yards of total offense and having a chance to win the game on the last play. The defense would make the stop though and preserve the ugly 33-28 victory.
Things looked great to start the game with KJ Hamler returning the opening kickoff 58 yards to the Indiana 36 yard line. From there it would only take the Nittany Lion offense five plays to hit pay dirt with Miles Sanders taking it in from the 1 for the score. Sanders would also have a 29 yard reception during the drive to set the Lions up at the 6 yard line. Indiana would answer on the next drive though going 75 yards in 8 plays to tie the game at 7. Whop Philyor had the big 26 yard run to set up Stevie Scott’s 5 yard touchdown run for the Hoosiers. The next five series for both teams would result in four punts, one muffed punt return by the Lions, and a turnover on down by Penn State on an attempted fake punt run by Blake Gillikin. As great as the special teams looked to start the game for Penn State, the game would turn out to be a special teams nightmare and nearly cost them the game.
Following the stopped fake punt, it would only take the Hoosiers four plays to take the lead on a Ronnie Walker, Jr. 30 yard touchdown run, giving Indiana a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. The next drive would see Penn State march to the Indiana 37 yard line before losing 10 yards on the next two plays. McSorley would then be picked off by Bryant Fitzgerald at the Indiana 28 yard line. The defense would hold the Hoosiers though to a three and out, setting up Penn State’s next scoring drive. Starting at their own 17, McSorley would lead them on a 6 play 83 yard drive for the score. McSorley would account for the biggest play, a 44 yard scramble to the Indiana 23 yard line. The next two plays would see Tommy Stevens enter the game as the “Lion” package and have him connect with Pat Freiermuth for a 23 yard touchdown pass and a tie game at 14. It was great to see Tommy Stevens used in the offensive scheme this week. I feel his diminished role in the offense has had a negative effect on the team.
Indiana would punt on their next possession, giving Penn State the ball at their own 35 yard line. Juwan Johnson would have the big play on this drive, a 59 yard reception, setting the Lions up at the 13. Jake Pinegar would give Penn State the lead at 17-14 on his 27 yard field goal. The Hoosiers were not done though driving to the Penn State 10 yard line and on 4th and 1 opted to go for it instead of the field goal but would come up short as the pass fell incomplete. Penn State would go into the half leading 17-14.
Indiana would receive the 2nd half kickoff and drive to the Lions 23 before a fumble and recovery by Garrett Taylor of Penn State would end the drive. Penn State would then go 63 yards in 13 plays before Pinegar would hit his second field goal of the game, a 32 yarder, resulting in a 20-14 lead. Aided by two 15 yard penalties, Indiana would answer on a Stevie Scott 3 yard run and take its second lead of the game at 21-20. The Nittany Lions would only need two plays to answer. Johnathan Thomas would receive the kickoff at the 1 and return it 94 yards to the Hoosiers 5 yard line.
On the next play, McSorley would keep it himself and put the Lions up 26-21 after Pinegar’s extra point was blocked. Following an Indiana punt, Penn State would not be able to move the ball and punted back but Indiana’s returner would fumble and Penn State would recover at the Indiana 32 yard line. McSorley would take it in himself from 4 yards out and give the Lions a 33-21 lead with 10:25 left to go in the game. Although Penn State would get the ball twice more, they would be unable to move the ball setting up the Hoosiers 15 play 85 yard drive that culminated in a 21 yard touchdown pass to J-Shun Harris II and a 33-28 Lions lead with :49 seconds to go. This set up the most exciting play in football, the onside kick. Penn State would recover the kick but James Franklin had called timeout just prior to the kick setting up another Hoosier opportunity. This time the Hoosiers would recover and try to secure the upset. A holding penalty and a sack by Shaka Toney would be too much for the Hoosiers to overcome as Nick Westbrook was tackled near midfield to finally put this one away.
It may not have been picture perfect, but a win is a win and counts as a win no matter how ugly it may have been. While not the prettiest of game day performances, still…
We Are…
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.
20 Comments
Nancy Baten
Very sexy look! Enjoy your Sunday evening!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Nancy! I did enjoy my Sunday with my little family and then I slept. Oh, how I slept! I was so tired!
xoxo
Shelbee
Susan
Right you are! An ugly win is still a win, and it’s about time too. Now if those birds would just follow suit?
But DAMN! Shelbee is looking hot! If I had legs like that I would have purchased the short shorts too. As it was, I got the 5-inch cuffed white shorts I’ve been eyeing all season long for $12!! I love a sale.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Susan, thanks so much! I got these short shorts for $7.50 from Torrid! You know I love a good sale, too. And I ma glad you found some suitable ones as well for a great price. Now, what is going on with your birds? They are not up to snuff?
xoxo
Shelbee
susan
Those Eagles are losers again, and Carson Wentz (in spite of my undue fondness for redheads) is a poser. I say, bring back Saint Nick (Foles). They squandered a 17 point lead in the second half. I have taken down my Eagles flag, and replaced it with a flag that has my dog on it. He is not a loser and he’s not ugly either.
An ugly loss is still a loss…
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cheers to your dog, who is not ugly! Much better to look at than ugly losses!
Patrick Weseman
Looking very nice and Penn St won and has Iowa next. Even I am 100% Bay Area, the rest of my family is from Iowa. Cal finally won and broke their three-game losing streak. You look great.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I am glad that Cal finally won as well. So I guess next week, we will be rivals if you are pulling for Iowa?!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Not really. I just root for a good game.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am with you on that, Patrick! I just appreciate the athleticism and dedication. And a great game is always fun to watch.
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
What a fun printed top! We don’t have that sport here, but congrats on your team winning! 🙂
Hope that you have had a lovely weekend 🙂 We went to a wedding which was a lot of fun 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mica! Oh, our entire fall revolves around college football! And a wedding sounds like a fun way to spend the weekend, too. We have one coming up in about 3 weeks.
xoxo
Shelbee
Paul
Shelbee you are definitely looking hot , as always beautiful
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Paul! I appreciate that! Have a fantastic week!
xoxo
Shelbee
amely rose
The best thing about autumn are overknee boots.
Simply lovely look my dear – I adore this combination so much.
take a look at my BLOG and my INSTAGRAM
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Amely! I agree, over the knee boots are so much fun!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lorena
Fun look Michelle !
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Lorena!
xoxo
Shelbee
Karren Haller
Shelbee, you look fabulous, love the outfit. I love all the places you find to take pictures, make your post so interesting, I dont have that much energy. Not sure if you know but they are being featured this week on Friday Features party. Pinned to save and will be shared on Instagram.
Hope you have a great weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Karren, thanks so very much! I did see the feature and also shared your post on my social media! I am always so honored to be featured. I really appreciate that! And I don’t know that I have that much energy either but I try to push through and keep it somewhat interesting. Have a fantastic weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee