Penn State Football: Week 2 Studs and Duds against Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 08: Mac Hippenhammer #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with C.J. Thorpe #69 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after catching a 11 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the fourth quarter on September 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 08: Mac Hippenhammer #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with C.J. Thorpe #69 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after catching a 11 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the fourth quarter on September 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Running back – Ricky Slade

Last week Ricky Slade could have very easily been one of the “Studs” with his six carries for 39 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.  Unfortunately each week brings with it new opportunities for success and for games to forget.  I would venture a guess that Slade would put Saturday night’s game against Pittsburgh under the column of “games he’s like to forget.”

The true freshman saw very limited action, carrying the ball only four times all night.  His first two carries started out with great promise, gaining four yards on each run.  His third run would have had enough for the first down, but a perfectly placed helmet-on-ball hit by Quintin Wirginis caused a fumble.  The panthers recovered the ball, and just like that Ricky Slade was seemingly over.  That is, until the Lions started piling on the scoreboard.

With just over one minute remaining in the game, Slade was re-inserted into the lineup to hopefully erase the bad taste the fumble earlier in the game had left.  Unfortunately, after gaining two yards and on his way to the ground, Rashad Weaver ripped the ball from Slade’s arms.

Penn State head coach James Franklin also felt that his rookie back was down before fumbling because, despite the score and remaining game time, challenged the call.  It was upheld and the fumble became the second one lost by the Lions on the night.

There’s no denying the amazing talent that Slade possesses.  You aren’t the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year if you are a suspect player.  You also don’t see the field at one of the most loaded positions on the Penn State roster if you aren’t capable of doing amazing things.

Slade simply had a night to forget.  There will be better days for Ricky Slade.  However, until Slade can prove to the coaches that he can hang onto the rock, his number of carries will likely be limited going forward.

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