Philly Sports Blogs» Philadelphia NCAA and College Sports

Old dog learns a new trick

Eric Schwartz — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:09:15 +0000

Anytime Joe Paterno does something for the first time as a coach it is newsworthy. When he makes an announcement like he did today, it really grabs attention.

Paterno announced that freshman Robert Bolden will be the starter for No. 19 Penn State in its opener against Youngstown State on Saturday. It marks the first time in Paterno’s 45 years as a coach that true freshman will begin the season as the signal caller.

Bellow is an excerpt form the… Finish Reading

Temple back to first bowl since 1979

Joseph Birmingham — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:50:34 +0000

The Temple Owls conclude their 2nd best season in recent history at the Eaglebank bowl in Washington DC on 12-29 at 4:30. After going 9-3 overall and 7-1 in the MAC, the Owls drew a really tough draw for their bowl game, facing the UCLA Bruins. They lost to Ohio 35-17 in their last game, keeping them out of the conference championship game, so this bowl game represents thier chance to make a statement to the country.

Even though UCLA… Finish Reading

The best of the rest – The Villanova Wildcats

Joseph Birmingham — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:40:26 +0000

With all the attention being focused on the Division I-A and BCS approved lineup over the next three weeks, a local team came to the forefront and took home the highest honor in I-AA, the football championship subdivision title, much to the surprise of the Montana Grizzlies who may have entered tonight’s game assuming they would come out the victors. The Colonial Athletic Conference is arguably the toughest conference in Division I-AA and after tonight, the best team in the… Finish Reading

Who is best team in Big Ten ?

Joseph Birmingham — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:00:49 +0000

Every poll has Florida way ahead of Alabama for number one in the country. Having 6 undefeated teams in divison 1A is unprecedented in the BCS era, but closer to home there is a larger, more important controversy. Who is the best in the Big Ten ?

Iowa started strong, before losing 2 in a row, and Penn State and Ohio State were neck and neck all year. But now that the games are all played and the three… Finish Reading

No Big Ten title, but at large BCS bid up for grabs

Joseph Birmingham — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:30:46 +0000

With Ohio State handling Michigan late, they appear to have the Big Ten title wrapped up, which means when the Penn State Nittany Lions take the field in a few minutes to do battle with the Michigan State Spartans the most they can do is ensure eligibility for an at large BCS bowl bid. With 10 victories and a top 14 BCS ranking and the broad fan base that follows their every move, that should do it !!

Royster should… Finish Reading

Lions hang on to BCS bowl hopes

Joseph Birmingham — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:53:01 +0000

There is a bit of a logjam in the Big Ten, with Iowa, Ohio State and Penn State all boasting 9-2 records, and ranked nationally at 10,11 and 18 prior to todays games. The Big Ten Championship may boil down to a case of who blinks first.

PSU handled thier business today beating a better than their 4-7 record Indiana team. But Ohio State took the lead in the conference title race by beating a very good Iowa team that… Finish Reading

Wildcats start season as favorite in Big East

Joseph Birmingham — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:28:39 +0000

The Villanova Wildcats basketball team starts the season ranked #6 and goes up against FDU Friday night. They begin the season following up a 30 win campaign, embroiled in controversy.

Mouphtaou Yarou has been cleared to play in the opener despite questions about his age. A Sporting News report listed him as a player in the 2007 African Cup which would make him 25 as opposed to 19 but coach Jay Wright said that Yarou did not actually play… Finish Reading

The Owls are performing as I predicted !!

Joseph Birmingham — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:48:25 +0000

I mentioned in an earlier post how the Nittany Lions may have to share the spotlight in Pennsylvania college football this year with the Owls of local Temple University. The Owls have indeed performed as a top level team. The loss to the Lions in week two may have helped propel them to new heights as they have followed that loss with 7 straight wins.

Whereas last year the Owls were en route to a sub .500 season, this… Finish Reading

Former Penn State star Larry Johnson now unemployed

Eric Schwartz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:49:19 +0000

It has been a bad week to be a Nittany Lion.

First, Penn State went out and got beat around in Happy Valley by Ohio State on Saturday, ending its hopes of being awarded a BCS bowl, and now one of their alumni has hit a career low.

The Kansas City Chiefs cut ties with running back Larry Johnson today, releasing him after his latest off-field trouble in which he used a gay slur. He also used his Twitter account… Finish Reading

Lions can’t catch an undefeated team !

Joseph Birmingham — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:41:03 +0000

Penn State didn’t pick up steam until the fourth quarter, struggling through the first three quarters for a 13-13 tie with Northwestern, then scoring three times in the final period to win the game 34-13. At the same time, Iowa was maintaining their perfect season after struggling through three quarters against Indiana by scoring 28 in their final frame to win 42-24.

Penn State with that one loss against Iowa is looking better and better, but Iowa is looking like… Finish Reading