Bucky's 5th Quarter - Wisconsin Badgers Game Day: Penn StateWelcome to the unofficial online tavern of the Wisconsin Badgers. Please seat yourself.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47803/buckys-fave.png2012-11-24T18:39:09-06:00http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/rss/stream/34498752012-11-24T18:39:09-06:002012-11-24T18:39:09-06:00Another Overtime Loss for UW
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<figcaption>Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers are still going to the Big Ten championship, but they won't be headed into the game with any momentum. Penn State squeaked out an overtime win over Wisconsin at Happy Valley on Saturday.</p> <p>Ultimately, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wisconsin-badgers" class="sbn-auto-link">Wisconsin Badgers</a>' game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday was always a meaningless one. UW had already clinched a spot in the Big Ten championship game, while Penn State are ineligible for postseason competition, but the game was a litmus test for the Badgers at the very least.</p>
<p>Wisconsin hasn't played a decent team on the road since they faced off against Nebraska, their Big Ten championship game opponents. They could have gone into that game with momentum, after sending a message by beating a solid team, on the road, in bad weather, on their senior day. They couldn't pull it off.</p>
<p>For the second consecutive week, backup quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38635/curt-phillips" class="sbn-auto-link">Curt Phillips</a> led a game-tying drive in the 4th quarter to fire the Badgers into overtime. Also for the second consecutive week, they couldn't get it done in the extra period. A poor offensive sequence in OT set up <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114199/kyle-french" class="sbn-auto-link">Kyle French</a> for a 44-yard field goal in swirling wind, and he was unable to convert as Penn State won, 24-21.</p>
<p>The first quarter was mostly positive for the Badgers, though their defense did allow a long touchdown drive. Based on the first three drives of the game, it appeared that the crowd at Happy Valley was in for a shootout, but Penn State and Wisconsin eventually remembered that they play in the Big Ten, where fun is expressly prohibited by conference bylaws. Thanks for that, Jim Delany!</p>
<p>Phillips and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135206/melvin-gordon" class="sbn-auto-link">Melvin Gordon</a> got UW off to a brilliant start, connecting for a 57-yard touchdown that quieted Beaver Stadium, but <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Zwinak</a> and the Nittany Lions answered with a touchdown of their own on the ensuing Penn State drive. Zwinak had nine carries, a reception, and another target during PSU's 15-play, 78-yard touchdown drive, capped off by Zwinak with a 3-yard touchdown that tied up the score at 7-7.</p>
<p>The highlight of the day for Wisconsin came on their next drive, when <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77778/montee-ball" class="sbn-auto-link">Montee Ball</a> broke the all-time Division I touchdowns record, passing Travis Prentice with his 79th career touchdown. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132127/kenzel-doe" class="sbn-auto-link">Kenzel Doe</a> set up the Badgers with good field position, returning a Penn State kickoff 47 yards into Nittany Lions territory. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77770/jared-abbrederis" class="sbn-auto-link">Jared Abbrederis</a> got them even closer with a 24-yard catch, which was followed up by three Ball runs. The record-breaker was a 17-yard rush that put the Badgers up 14-7, and they would hold that lead until the 4th quarter.</p>
<p>Whatever Matt Canada dialed up to confuse the Penn State defense on the Badgers' first two drives got figured out very quickly. For the rest of the game, Wisconsin's offense struggled. Every possession in the 2nd and 3rd quarters resulted in a punt for the Badgers.</p>
<p>Penn State wasn't able to punch the ball in for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, but did move down the field very effectively. They opened the 3rd quarter with an 11-play, 77-yard drive to set up a short field goal for Sam Finken, and moved the ball into the red zone to set up another chip-shot field goal on their third drive of the quarter.</p>
<p>Three quarters of conservative play-calling for the Nittany Lions finally paid off for them early in the 4th, while Wisconsin's defense broke down. Matt McGloin put Penn State ahead with a 41-yard strike to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159722/jesse-james" class="sbn-auto-link">Jesse James</a>, and Zwinak converted the ensuing two-point conversion attempt to give PSU a seven-point lead.</p>
<p>Ensuing Wisconsin drives featured a combination of questionable play-calling by Canada, less than spectacular execution by Phillips and some plays that were certainly affected by the weather. Wisconsin got down to the Penn State 20-yard line on their second-to-last drive, but failed to convert on a 4th and 8 play, when Phillips was picked off by Jacob Fagano.</p>
<p>Thankfully for Wisconsin, their defense came up with a big three-and-out, and Phillips got the ball back with just over four minutes remaining in the game. They converted on 3rd down twice, thanks to big catches by Jordan Fredrick and Kenzel Doe. The latter made a reception to set up the Badgers with first and goal at the Penn State 9-yard line, and they eventually turned that opportunity into a game-tying touchdown, though it wasn't easy.</p>
<p>On 3rd and goal from the 4-yard line, Penn State sniffed out a run to Ball and took him down for a 2-yard loss, eliminating any potential element of surprise on 4th down. Penn State had good coverage on the Badgers' 4th down play, a rollout to the right, but Phillips fit the ball into <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77771/jeff-duckworth" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeff Duckworth's</a> stomach in a narrow space and he held on for the score to tie the game and force overtime.</p>
<p>Penn State got the ball first in OT and went nowhere, but Ficken snuck a 37-yard field goal attempt just inside the left upright to force Wisconsin to score. Phillips failed to make a play on UW's OT possession, getting sacked on 2nd down and making a poor throw on 3rd down. That put French in a bad spot, and the wind took his 44-yard attempt horribly wide left.</p>
<p>The Wisconsin Badgers finish the regular season 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the Big Ten, which is outrageously disappointing for a team who were considered favorites to make a BCS bowl in preseason. Fortunately, they have one more chance to erase all of this season's disappointment next weekend when they take on Nebraska in Indianapolis.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-football/2012/11/24/3686882/wisconsin-vs-penn-state-result-final-scoreKim McCauley2012-11-24T15:08:41-06:002012-11-24T15:08:41-06:00Montee Ball Sets New NCAA Career Touchdown Record
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<figcaption>Evan Habeeb</figcaption>
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<p>Montee Ball etched his name into the record book early in today's Penn State game. </p> <p>Wisconsin running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77778/montee-ball">Montee Ball</a> crossed the goal line and into the NCAA record books once again Saturday with his 79th career touchdown.</p>
<p>A 17-yard toss on first down handed the Badgers to a 14-7 lead against Penn State in the first quarter. Ball had already rushed for 28 yards on 4 carries.</p>
<p>Ball's 18th touchdown of the season broke the career mark previously held by Travis Prentice of Miami (Ohio). Prentice scored 78 touchdowns from 1996-1999.</p>
<p>After tying <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/164309/barry-sanders" class="sbn-auto-link">Barry Sanders</a>' NCAA record for single-season touchdowns as a junior last season, Ball now has set a new NCAA record. And it was quick. In the final regular season game, Wisconsin's running back has broken Travis Prentice's record for the most career touchdowns in NCAA history.</p>
<p>And considering the tone and tenor of the Penn State game so far, it isn't impossible for the Ball to get the record for most career rushing touchdowns, where he's currently tied with Prentice.</p>
<p>Ball entered the game with 1,417 rushing yards and a 5.0 yards-per-carry average. Both numbers are well below his numbers in 2011, when he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist after rushing for 1,923 yards (6.3 per carry) and 33 touchdowns. But this year, Ball has endured an offseason assault that left him with a concussion, as well as another concussion in the Week 4 game against UTEP. Wisconsin has also dealt with a multitude of issues elsewhere in the offense, most notably shaky early-season line play that led to the firing of first-year coach Mike Markuson after two weeks.</p>
<p>But all congratulations go out to him. The record is his.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2012/11/24/3659528/montee-ball-sets-new-ncaa-career-touchdown-recordPhil Mitten2012-11-24T13:48:52-06:002012-11-24T13:48:52-06:00Pregame Update: Borland Out
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<p>With just an hour or so left until kickoff, some news continues to trickle out of Happy Valley...</p>
<p>--Looks like the Badgers will <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2012/11/17/3659380/borland-will-not-play-against-ohio-state">once again</a> be without middle linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77781/chris-borland">Chris Borland</a>. Borland has been battling a hamstring injury that kept him out of last week's game vs. Ohio State, though head coach Bret Bielema did say Borland was <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2012/11/19/3667156/wisconsin-penn-state-bret-bielema-monday-press-conference-recap">"feeling very, very well"</a> back in his Monday press conference.</p>
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<p>LB Chris Borland in sweats as <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Badgers">#Badgers</a> take the field for warm ups. Looks like a no go today</p>
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/272421310662078465" data-datetime="2012-11-24T19:27:56+00:00">November 24, 2012</a>
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<p>On that note, Tom Mulhern of the Wisconsin State Journal <a href="https://twitter.com/TomMulhernWSJ/status/272424602704166912">wonders</a> if Borland might be sidelined in order to keep him healthy for the Big Ten Championship Game. That certainly doesn't seem like something Borland would appreciate:</p>
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<p>Borland to me: "If I'm healthy, I'm going to go. I'd do whatever they said, but if they held me out when I was healthy, I'd be angry."</p>
— Tom Mulhern (@TomMulhernWSJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomMulhernWSJ/status/272424501805981696" data-datetime="2012-11-24T19:40:37+00:00">November 24, 2012</a>
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<p>--According to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, right tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114195/rob-havenstein">Rob Havenstein</a> is <a href="https://twitter.com/jaypo1961/status/272403910528999425">on the dress list</a>, as expected. Havenstein has a slight MCL sprain, though Bielema also said on Monday that he should be good to go. Mulhern did Tweet that Havenstein is <a href="https://twitter.com/tommulhernwsj/status/272425204901351424">still limping</a>.</p>
<p>--Penn State's star senior linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti">Michael Mauti</a> will miss his final collegiate game due to a knee injury he sustained last week vs. Indiana, though the Nittany Lions do plan to honor him beyond their typical Senior Day festivities:</p>
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<p>Penn State helmets with a large 42 on the left side in honor of Michael Mauti <a href="http://t.co/jrHRPabC" title="http://twitpic.com/bg4ds1">twitpic.com/bg4ds1</a></p>
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ben_Jones88/status/272420876891324417" data-datetime="2012-11-24T19:26:13+00:00">November 24, 2012</a>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2012/11/24/3686092/wisconsin-penn-state-chris-borland-injuryMike Fiammetta2012-11-24T00:54:47-06:002012-11-24T00:54:47-06:00B5Q Consensus: Badgers Build Momentum For Indy
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<h4>The Predictions:</h4>
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<li>Andy Johnson (+224): Wisconsin 28, Penn State 24</li>
<li>Jake Harris (+226): Wisconsin 21, Penn State 14</li>
<li>Phil Mitten (+228): Wisconsin 21, Penn State 17</li>
<li>Mike Fiammetta (+233): Wisconsin 24, Penn State 17</li>
<li>Andrew Rosin (+278): Penn State 21, Wisconsin 16</li>
<li>Louis Bien: Wisconsin 23, Penn State 17</li>
<li>John Daly: Penn State 23, Wisconsin 17</li>
<li>Jack Moore: Wisconsin 24, Penn State 17</li>
<li>Nathan Palm: Penn State 20, Wisconsin 17</li>
<li>Nick Korger: Penn State 20, Wisconsin 17</li>
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<h4>The Reasoning</h4>
<p>You wouldn't be able to blame Bret Bielema and the Badgers for focusing exclusively on Nebraska, their opponent in next Saturday's Big Ten Championship Game. Wisconsin was three points away from upsetting the Cornhuskers in Lincoln two months ago and, if UW can finish the job in Indianapolis, the Rose Bowl will become Camp Randall West for an unprecedented third straight season.</p>
<p>But a program that has lived by the mantra of "1-0" since 2006 does not suddenly change course, so expect each and every healthy Badger to take the field against Penn State in the regular season finale Saturday. Despite having wrapped up their opportunity to represent the Leaders Division two weeks ago, the Badgers' best win so far this season is a two-point squeaker over Utah State back in September. Expect a hungry UW team to come out eager to defeat a quality opponent on the road.</p>
<p>Despite being riddled with NCAA sanctions, Penn State has put together a surprisingly strong 2012 campaign. The Nittany Lions are ineligible for postseason play, so the matchup with Wisconsin at Beaver Stadium becomes their de facto bowl game. The Lions began the year in disastrous fashion, losing to Ohio and at Virginia, but they then rattled off five straight victories. PSU has lost two of its last four games, however, giving up 35 and 32 points to Ohio State and Nebraska, respectively.</p>
<p>Penn State's offense has improved dramatically over last season, but calling it formidable would be a stretch. Senior quarterback Matt McGloin has completed 61.4 percent of his passes, while posting an impressive 23-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has already broken the 3,000-yard mark. Sophomore wideout <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Allen Robinson</a> is by far McGloin's favorite target and has caught 11 of his 23 touchdown throws. Robinson has more than double the receiving yardage of Penn State's second-leading receiver, Kyle Carter.</p>
<p>Senior running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114111/silas-redd" class="sbn-auto-link">Silas Redd's</a> transfer to USC during Penn State's tumultuous offseason was a big blow for the Nittany Lions. Sophomore <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Zwinak</a> has rushed for 821 yards at a 4.9 yards-per-carry clip. Senior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51495/michael-zordich" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Zordich</a> is less effective, but he gets an occasional carry.</p>
<p>Wisconsin's defense has truly found its groove over the past several weeks and has done particularly well against immobile pocket passers like McGloin. Even without linebacker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77781/chris-borland" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Borland</a>, who is questionable, expect the Badgers to successfully bring pressure. McGloin has taken 18 sacks this season. UW boasts the top rushing defense in the Big Ten, so expect McGloin to be forced into some difficult third-and-long situations.</p>
<p>Defensively, Penn State will be without its star, senior linebacker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Mauti</a>. The absence of the Nittany Lions' emotional leader will be a real test for them on Senior Day. Even with Mauti, PSU was middle-of-the-pack against the run, so look for the Badgers to pound <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77778/montee-ball" class="sbn-auto-link">Montee Ball</a> and James White all day long. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada likely has a few plays in store for next week's title game, so don't be surprised to see a fairly basic offense in Happy Valley.</p>
<p>Penn State ranks dead last in the Big Ten in averaging just 18.2 yards per kickoff return. Its punt return game is not much better. Furthermore, the Lions average just 33.8 yards per punt. The Badgers, with strong return men and improved coverage this season, should likely have a field position advantage in what figures to be a low-scoring game. Still, no Wisconsin fan will like their odds should the game come down to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114199/kyle-french" class="sbn-auto-link">Kyle French's</a> leg.</p>
<p>Snow showers and temperatures in the low to mid-30s are in the forecast for kickoff, which should favor the running game and Wisconsin.</p>
<h4><b>Who has the edge?</b></h4>
<p>Offense: Penn State</p>
<p>Defense: Wisconsin</p>
<p>Special Teams: Wisconsin</p>
<p>Coaching: Push</p>
<p>Intangibles: Penn State</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2012/11/24/3684612/fifth-quarter-consensus-badgers-build-momentum-for-indyJake Harris2012-11-23T09:04:58-06:002012-11-23T09:04:58-06:007 Thoughts From The Other Side: Penn State
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<figcaption>Hunter Martin</figcaption>
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<p>Black Shoe Diaries talks Penn State life after the sanctions, Matt McGloin's unexpected breakout season and more.</p> <p>All of a sudden, we're talking about the last game of the regular season.</p>
<p>I was answering some questions for <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/11/23/3681160/brief-interviews-with-hideous-men-wisconsin-edition">Black Shoe Diaries' Q&A</a>, and it struck me -- how long ago does the Oregon State loss feel? And what about the subsequent firing of Mike Markuson? Those two, three days felt like the harbinger of all the craziness that's struck this football team -- and the whole conference, really -- and set the "we don't really know what we're gonna get" tone of the season.</p>
<p>Now, remarkably, the Badgers are right where we thought they'd be. A berth in the Big Ten Championship Game is already secured, and a win there returns Wisconsin to the Rose Bowl. Just like we all expected, right?</p>
<p>Penn State, meanwhile, has dealt with an entirely different sort of a "crazy" season. Given everything that transpired over the offseason -- namely the Jerry Sandusky trial and Joe Paterno's firing and eventual passing -- the Nittany Lions have responded in incredible fashion. Their 5-2 mark in conference play puts them second in the Leaders Division, and had been postseason eligible, the Lions would've been thickly in the race for a trip to Indianapolis.</p>
<p>From my outsider's perspective, I marvel at the job <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Bill O'Brien's</a> done to make all that happen. Now that I think of it, that's one thing I wish I would've asked Devon Edwards of <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/">Black Shoe Diaries</a>, who was kind enough to answer some questions. Devon says PSU fans have been "thrilled" with how the season has unfolded, breaks down Matt McGloin's breakout season and a defense that will be without its top linebacker, senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti">Michael Mauti</a>. He also claims to have no clue of what to expect on Saturday, and we all know how that feels. Should be a fun one in Happy Valley.</p>
<p><b>1. B5Q</b>: To start, how are Penn State fans feeling about the season thus far? What specifically has gone right or wrong, and how do you expect it all to translate into Saturday's game?</p>
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<p><b>Devon:</b> Honestly, after the sanctions, and after the losses to Ohio and<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Virginia, I think most Penn State fans are thrilled that the season<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>turned out the way it has. Yeah, the losses to Ohio State and Nebraska<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>sucked, but at least, in them, we found a return to normalcy. We cared<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>about football again, with no caveats, no Sandusky scandal hanging<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>over the proceedings. We'll still suffer beneath the NCAA's ridiculous<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>penalties for the better part of the next decade, but this season<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>showed us that we can still compete, and that Penn State football will<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>still be Penn State football. As far as the on-field stuff, the team<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>has come a very long way since the early part of the<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>season -- especially in the pass defense and run game -- and has managed<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>to play with urgency all year long. Saturday, being the finale for a<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>very special senior class, will be a very emotional affair, and,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>oddly, for the first time this year, whether the Nittany Lions win or<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>lose isn't the most important thing.</p>
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<p><b>2. B5Q:</b> In the Big Ten, Penn State ranks fourth in total offense (422.5 yards per game) and sixth in scoring offense (29.5 points per game). What are the strengths and weaknesses of PSU's offense, and how has it functioned overall?</p>
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<p><b>Devon: </b>Offensively, Penn State's done a whole lot of things right. It<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>starts with an offensive line that's had only one poor showing all<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>year--against Ohio State, they looked more like the struggling 2010<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>and 2011 units than the one that's been so good this season. Mac<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>McWhorter has done an excellent job, though he gets a little cute in<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>trying to rotate in the backups, and that's when we get into a little<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>trouble. The run game, led by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak">Zach Zwinak</a>, has been pretty great over<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>the second half of the year. He fumbles the ball way too much, but is<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>very quick to the hole, manages to fall forward for extra yardage on<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>virtually every play, and has better open field speed than you'd<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>expect. Then there's the receivers--with all due respect to Jared<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Abbrederis, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson">Allen Robinson</a> might be the best in the Big Ten, and,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>before his season-ending wrist injury, tight end Kyle Carter was a<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>matchup nightmare. With him gone, there's a bit of a vacuum at the #2<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>receiver spot; look out for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85915/brandon-moseby-felder">Brandon Moseby-Felder</a> as well as tight<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>ends <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159742/matt-lehman">Matt Lehman</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159722/jesse-james">Jesse James</a> to pick up some of the slack.</p>
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<p><b>3. B5Q:</b> Matt McGloin's senior season has been stellar (61.4% comp., 3,071 yards, 23 TD, 5 INT). What's been the greatest reason for his improvement? Does anyone ever talk about his NFL prospects?</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Devon:</b> Nobody saw McGloin's breakout season coming, least of all me. Hell,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>I still think <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden">Rob Bolden</a> should be starting. Seriously, though,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>McGloin is a confident, aggressive kind of quarterback, and now that<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>he's in a system that rewards that, he's playing so much looser it's<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>not even funny. Not having to look over his shoulder can't hurt, too.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Neither can having the guy who coached Tom Brady working with you. But<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>while he simply doesn't have the arm to make it into the NFL,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>McGloin's become a very good college quarterback--he's able to make<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>multiple reads, something he never did before, and given the autonomy<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>to make checks at the line of scrimmage, he's become a better leader.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>He's still prone to emotional swings and the occasional bonehead<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>decision, but his throws, for the most part, have been pretty<br>fantastic.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>4. B5Q:</b> How good is Penn State's defense? The Nittany Lions rank fourth in scoring defense (18.9 points allowed per game) and sixth in total defense (357 yards allowed per game). How good is PSU's defense?</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Devon: </b>Penn State's defense is pretty damn good, though I say that with<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>one giant caveat. Michael Mauti was the best player on the defense,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>maybe the best linebacker in the Big Ten, and he'll miss the game with<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>what looks like his third torn ACL in four years. It really is just a<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>damn shame, for a great leader, and the heart and soul of this team.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Still, Butkus Award semifinalist <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77419/gerald-hodges">Gerald Hodges</a> is no slouch himself,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>and neither is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114116/mike-hull">Mike Hull</a>, who will take Mauti's spot at outside<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>linebacker. The front seven, as it always has been, is the strength of<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>this Penn State team--in front of the linebackers, keep an eye on DT<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Jordan Hil, who is a disruptive player, and freshman DE Deion Barnes,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>who looks like he'll be a great one. The weakness is in the passing<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>game--the Lions are too thin to play nickel with much consistency, and<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>free safety <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85923/malcolm-willis">Malcolm Willis</a> might miss another game, meaning the middle<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>of the field will be ripe for the taking for the Badgers.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>5. B5Q:</b> As quickly as you can, how do you breakdown the advantages between these teams on offense, defense, special teams, coaching staff and intangibles?</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Devon:</b> The matchup is a pretty good one for Penn State, which is why the<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Lions are 3-point favorites. Slowing down <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77778/montee-ball">Montee Ball</a> is much easier<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>said than done, but Penn State does a great job both stuffing run<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>plays at the line of scrimmage and flowing to the ball carrier for<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>short gains. They're vulnerable to the pass, but Wisconsin hasn't<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>looked to throw all that much since Stave went down. Without Mauti,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>it'll be tougher, but that's still the strength of a very good run<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>defense. And offensively, Penn State is a more dynamic passing attack<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>than Wisconsin's seen this year, and I think O'Brien will find ways to<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>exploit that. Honestly, though, I think these are two pretty evenly<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>matched teams, so it should be a very fun game to watch.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>6. B5Q:</b> Wisconsin has been remarkably difficult to predict this year. Given that and what you've seen from Penn State, what kind of game are you expecting on Saturday?</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Devon:</b> Wisconsin has been playing darn good football lately -- the heinous<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>call on 3rd and inches in the Ohio State game might have changed that<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>last drive, and that's a game Wisconsin might well have won. This will<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>really come down to whether Penn State's offensive line can slow the<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Wisconsin pass rush, and to what degree the defense can bottle up<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Montee Ball. Penn State hasn't really looked to play a tight,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>low-scoring game, while Wisconsin's somewhat comfortable in that<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>situation, so we'll have to see, if this is a game that's in the teens<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>entering the fourth quarter, how Bill O'Brien looks to respond.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>7. B5Q:</b> Do you have a prediction?</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Devon:</b> I have never and will never pick against Penn State, and honestly,<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>I don't know what to expect. This is going to be an unbelievably<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>emotional afternoon, especially for the seniors, and I'm hoping that<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>will carry them to one last win. Let's pick a couple numbers out of a<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>hat and say it's <b>24-20, Lions</b>.</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2012/11/23/3680014/7-thoughts-from-the-other-side-penn-stateMike Fiammetta2012-11-20T13:22:45-06:002012-11-20T13:22:45-06:00Wisconsin Badgers Game Day: Penn State
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qRH_WeqEU8ujqyG-XRIdC9mfKGY=/8x0:3990x2655/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3630859/154843497.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Patrick Smith</figcaption>
</figure>
<h5>Game Day Vitals:</h5>
<ul>
<li> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wisconsin-badgers">Wisconsin Badgers</a> (7-4, 4-3 Big Ten/Leaders) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-4, 5-2 Big Ten/Leaders)</li>
<li>Beaver Stadium (107,282); Sat., Nov. 24, 2:30 p.m. CT</li>
<li>TV: ESPN2</li>
<li>All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads, 9-6</li>
<li>Last Meeting: Wisconsin won, 45-7 (Nov. 26, 2011 in Madison)</li>
<li>Tickets: <a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/ncaa/wisconsin-badgers-tickets?pubid=1053119">Wisconsin Badgers Tickets</a> </li>
</ul>
<h5><br></h5>
<h5>Opponent Vitals:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Penn State University, University Park, PA. <a href="http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/">GOPSUSports.com</a> </li>
<li>SB Nation Blog: <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/">Black Shoe Diaries</a> </li>
<li>Returning Starters: 10 (5 offense, 5 defense)</li>
</ul>
<h5><br></h5>
<h5>Coaches:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Head Coach: <a href="http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/obrien_bill00.html">Bill O'Brien</a> </li>
<li>Assistant Head Coach / Wide Receivers Coach: <a href="http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hixon_stan00.html">Stan Hixon</a> </li>
<li>Defensive Coordinator: <a href="http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/roof_ted00.html">Ted Roof</a> </li>
</ul>
<h5><br></h5>
<h5>Key Players:</h5>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td><b><i>NAME</i></b></td>
<td><b><i>STATS</i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><i>LEADING PASSER</i></b></td>
<td>QB Matt McGloin (Sr.)</td>
<td>61.4% comp, 3,071 yards, 23 TD, 5 INT</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><i>LEADING RUSHER</i></b></td>
<td>RB Zach Zwinak (So.)</td>
<td>167 car, 821 yards (4.9 YPC), 5 TD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><i>LEADING RECEIVERS</i></b></td>
<td>WR <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson">Allen Robinson</a> (So.)<br> TE Kyle Carter (Fr.)<br> WR <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85915/brandon-moseby-felder">Brandon Moseby-Felder</a> (Jr.)<br>
</td>
<td>73 rec, 983 yards (13.5 YPC), 11 TD<br> 36 rec, 453 yards (12.6 YPC), 2 TD<br> 30 rec, 427 yards (14.2 YPC), 1 TD<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><i>LEADING TACKLER</i></b></td>
<td>LB Gerald Hodges (Sr.)</td>
<td>102 tackles (8.5 for loss - 33 yards), 1.0 sack, 2 INT, 1 FF</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><i>LEADING SACKER</i></b></td>
<td>DE Deion Barnes (So.)</td>
<td>6.0 sacks - 30 yards, 25 tackles (10.0 for loss - 39 yards), 3 FF</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><i>LEADING INTERCEPTER</i></b></td>
<td>LB Michael Mauti (Sr.) -- WILL NOT PLAY</td>
<td>3 INT - 125 yards, 95 tackles (4.0 for loss - 31 yards), 2.5 sacks, 3 FF</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h5><br></h5>
<h5>2012 Schedule/Results:</h5>
<ul>
<li> <b>Last week: W 45-22 vs. Indiana.</b> Penn State obliterated Indiana with 546 total yards of offense, career days from McGloin (22-of-32, 395 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT) and Robinson (10 rec, 197 yards, 3 TD), but the most significant news of the day came when Mauti left the field in the first quarter with an apparently serious left knee injury. Mauti has already been ruled out for Saturday's game vs. Wisconsin, meaning the senior leader will have played his last game for Penn State. He will, however, almost assuredly earn the loudest ovation in the pre-game Senior Day festivities.</li>
<li> <b>Biggest win: Week 6 vs. No. 24 Northwestern, 39-28.</b> The Nittany Lions overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter with 22 unanswered points, thanks primarily to a solid day from McGloin (35-of-51, 282 yards, 2 TD) and Zwinak (28 car, 121 yards, 1 TD). Penn State out-gained Northwestern, 443-247, while also preventing the Wildcats from claiming their first 6-0 start in 50 yards.</li>
<li> <b>Biggest loss: Week 9 vs. Ohio State, 35-23.</b> Imagine if Penn State won the Leaders Division in the first season following the Jerry Sandusky scandal and the firing of Joe Paterno? Who knows what would've transpired afterward, but a win over the Buckeyes would've gone a tremendous way in helping the Nittany Lions, at the very least, keep pace in the division. But PSU was unable to contain OSU quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132058/braxton-miller">Braxton Miller</a> (134 rushing yards and 2 TD) or overcome a the Buckeyes' 21-point third quarter.</li>
<li> <b>Outlook: </b>Penn State's season winds to a halt this Saturday, and I'd venture that win or loss, you'd have to call it a success considering the turmoil of the offseason. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Bill O'Brien</a> -- who has <a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/11/19/sports/doc50aa64381cfe7352483135.txt" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">yet to commit</a> to another season in Happy Valley, by the way -- has done a remarkable job of keeping Penn State competitive, though who knows for how many years he'll be able to stretch that success.</li>
<b> </b>
</ul>
<p><b>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td><b><i>DATE</i></b></td>
<td><b><i>OPPONENT</i></b></td>
<td><b><i>RESULT/TIME</i></b></td>
<td><b><i>RECORD</i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Sept. 1</td>
<td>Ohio</td>
<td>L 24-14</td>
<td>0-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Sept. 8</td>
<td>@ Virginia</td>
<td>L 17-16</td>
<td>0-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Sept. 15</td>
<td>Navy</td>
<td>W 34-7</td>
<td>1-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Sept. 22</td>
<td>Temple</td>
<td>W 24-13</td>
<td>2-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Sept. 29</td>
<td>@ Illinois</td>
<td>W 35-7</td>
<td>3-2 (1-0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Oct. 6</td>
<td>#24 Northwestern</td>
<td>W 39-28</td>
<td>4-2 (2-0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Oct. 20</td>
<td>@ Iowa</td>
<td>W 38-14</td>
<td>5-2 (3-0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Oct. 27</td>
<td>Ohio St.</td>
<td>L 35-23</td>
<td>5-3 (3-1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Nov. 3</td>
<td>@ Purdue</td>
<td>W 34-9</td>
<td>6-3 (4-1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Nov. 10</td>
<td>#16 Nebraska</td>
<td>L 32-23</td>
<td>6-4 (4-2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Nov. 17</td>
<td>Indiana</td>
<td>W 45-22</td>
<td>7-4 (5-2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sat, Nov. 24</td>
<td>Wisconsin</td>
<td>2:30 p.m. CT</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></b></p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-football/2012/11/20/3671616/wisconsin-badgers-penn-state-nittany-lions-game-news-information-tickets-kickoff-time-tvMike Fiammetta2012-11-17T15:46:42-06:002012-11-17T15:46:42-06:00History Made: Montee Ball Ties NCAA TD Record
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MNi7UlnmM4aB3S42UL_bmKYKITY=/0x28:4000x2695/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3455261/20121117_lbm_bl1_260.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Wisconsin's running back is playing the last home game of his career with a purpose, tying Travis Prentice for the most career touchdowns in NCAA history early in the second quarter.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77778/montee-ball" class="sbn-auto-link">Montee Ball</a> took it down to his last home game as a Wisconsin Badger, but he got the job done -- with a touchdown in the second quarter, Wisconsin's running back tied Travis Prentice for the most career touchdowns in NCAA history.</p>
<p>Ball scored his 78th career touchdown on a seven-yard rush that helped pull the Badgers to within 14-7 against Ohio State. The much-needed score came on a spectacular run up the gut of the Buckeye defense, where Ball jumped over an Ohio State defender at the 3-yard line, and his momentum carried him through another Buckeye into the end zone.</p>
<p>The score tied Ball with Prentice, of Miami (Ohio) fame, who scored 78 from 1996-1999. Ball also has next week's game at Penn State to add to his total.</p>
<p>Ball entered the game with 1,226 rushing yards and a 5.0 yards-per-carry average. Both numbers are well below his numbers in 2011, when he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist after rushing for 1,923 yards (6.3 per carry) and 33 touchdowns. But this year, Ball has endured an offseason assault that left him with a concussion, as well as another concussion in the Week 4 game against UTEP. Wisconsin has also dealt with a multitude of issues elsewhere in the offense, most notably shaky early-season line play that led to the firing of first-year coach Mike Markuson after two weeks.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2012/11/17/3658834/history-made-montee-ball-ties-ncaaMike Fiammetta