Penn State vs. Akron Live Blog
Sep 6, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; A general view of the new scoreboard inside Beaver Stadium prior to the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Akron Zips. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports
Penn State opens up its home schedule today with a matchup against the Akron Zips. Today marks new head coach James Franklin’s first game in Beaver Stadium as head coach of the Nittany Lions. If you can’t get to Beaver Stdium (trust me, the traffic was horrible today), or you are not near a television, follow us here to stay on top of the action.
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Fourth Quarter
– Hack takes a knee and that’s it- PENN STATE WINS 21-3 AND MOVES TO 2-0.
– Turnover on downs for Akron- Penn State takes over with four minutes remaining.
– James today has 2 catches for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns.
– TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE!
– Bell and Olaniyan combine to make that big-time stop! Man was the stadium loud just now.
– Nittany Lions defense needs to come up huge on this fourth down. Again, you can’t let Akron hang around.
– Wow, another turnover in the redzone- what gives?
– If Hack can keep drawing them offside, we won’t need to run a play!
– You are just not going to arm-tackle Zwinak!
Third Quarter
– Despite several mistakes, Hack still putting up the yards- currently has 706 in last two games with an entire quarter still to play.
– End of three- Penn State leads 14-3 and looking for more.
– Penn State needs a long, dominating drive now to completely take this game over….
– Penn State scores and Sweet Caroline blares throughout the stadium- is there anything better?
– Finally Hack connects with James. TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE! 14-3 PENN STATE
– The line does seem to be protecting Hack better today, but the run game is still struggling to get any holes.
– Big 28-yard gain there to Geno. Needs points now!
– Don’t forget that Akron had a great chance for a win last year in the Big House- they are not afraid of tough places to play. Penn State needs to stop letting the Zips hang around, or else this game could be trouble…
– Hack just doesn’t seem to have it today, missing yet another open receiver in an important spot.
– Field Goal Akron- a 28-yarder. Penn State leads 7-3 in third quarter.
– Defense with another big stand inside of the red zone. Touchdown-saving tackle by Keiser.
– Ouch! What was that play supposed to be? Now Akron takes over with good field position.
– There we go! 34-yard return by linebacker Von Walker.
-Getting set for kickoff of the second half, Nittany Lions need to come out hot!
Second Quarter
HALFTIME Clearly a sluggish start by the Nittany Lions. Penn State leads 7-0 at the half.
– Hackenberg definitely looks a bit off today. This game is no where close to how most people thought it would go.
– Mike Hull gets in for the fourth Penn State sack of the first half.
– Just over 4 minutes remaing- good to see the defense lock down again there after letting the Zips move. Penn State takes over.
– 5:31 left before halftime- Penn State still leads 7-0, but Akron on the move.
– Big stop needed here.
– Random question- what’s a Zip?
– Trust me, I love Hack, but man he needs to wake up now.
– I was afraid of a sluggish start from the Nittany Lions. Hopefully Franklin will get them woken up at halftime.
– Official timeout with 10:00 minutes left in first half. Still 7-0 Nittany Lions. They start on their own 23 when action resumes.
– Yeh, I’d say Anthony Zettel is in for a big year.
– Nittany Lions need to hold here. The defense has locked things down. It’s the offense that’s been struggling a bit this first half.
– Wow, Hackenberg needs to stop forcing balls. He did that several times last week in Ireland too. The penalty was a dead ball foul on Akron. The only positive is that the Zips are backed up to the goal line down at the student section.
– Hack forced that pass to Hamilton and it was picked off, flag down though.
– Lions look sharp so far at the start of this quarter.
First Quarter
– End of first half- Penn State leads 7-0. Nittany Lions have out outgained the Zips 105-69 in total yards.
– Penn State defense has three sacks in the first quarter and have forced two punts after letting the Zips move down the field to start the game.
– 7-0 PSU
– TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE- Hackenberg 22 yards to Bill Belton!
– Just under 5 minutes to go in first, Penn State starting on its own 42. Need to get some points here.
– Big third down stop, getting the ball right back to the offense in what should be decent field position.
– After some poor passes by Hackenberg, the Nittany Lions are forced to punt.
– Akron field goal attempt is no good- defense bends but doesn’t break. No scorew with 9:33 left in 1st.
– Big sack by Zettel- making it third-and-goal.
– 11 minutes to go in first quarter- Akron calls a timeout facing a second-and-goal from the 7.
– Zips marching right down the field with pass after pass.
– Akron on offense first. First play of the game is a complete pass by MAC Offensive Player of the Week last week.
– Just before kickoff and the team is ready to run out of the tunnel. A ton of excitement in Beaver Stadium.
– The new video boards are Awesome!
Penn State wins toss and will kick to start the game