This is going to be hard for me because it's tough to admit when your wrong, but it's embarrassing walking around with my foot out in my mouth.
Now, Matt Senneca was named Penn State's player of the game by ABC television for his gritty effort in the Nittany Lions' 38-35 victory Saturday over Northwestern.
And it's hard to argue with the Network's decision because, after all, the junior signal caller was 20 for 39 with 234 yards and one touchdown while scampering for an additional 30 yards on the ground and two additional touchdowns.
But several Lions could've been awarded this honor. What about Zack Mills, the redshirt freshman quarterback who stepped in for the injured Senneca and calmly led his team down the field to grab the victory in the final seconds?
Or what about wideout Bryant Johnson, who bailed out his quarterbacks on several occasions and sparked the Lions offense with eight catches for 129 yards?
Then there's Eric McCoo. The senior tailback who's led the Lions in rushing the past three seasons hasn't been heard from much this season. But Saturday, he busted out big time. The Red Bank, N.J., native tallied 105 total yards and three scores, including the game-winning touchdown catch with 22 seconds to go.
You could also look on the defensive side of the ball for Saturday's biggest superstar. Linebacker Shamar Finney had a fine day as he had a hand in 10 tackles and proved to be the defense's emotional leader.
Cornerback Bruce Branch also stepped to the forefront by forcing a key fumble early in the fourth quarter when the game was tied, 28-28.
Branch also had two big punt returns that ultimately led to two Lion touchdowns.
And although the coaching staff doesn't see actual playing time on the field, Joe Paterno and his cronies put together a great game plan and that brought this team back from behind several times throughout the game.
After watching this game, if you think the game has passed him by, you need a serious head examination. It's obvious the man can still coach.
All of these players (and even the coaches) were viable choices for ABC's postgame award. But I wouldn't have picked any of them.
Nope. My vote would've been split six different ways. Why six? For the big boys up front on the offensive line.
Now, this isn't easy for me to do you see. If you remember correctly, two weeks ago I blasted this unit and pleaded with Paterno to make some changes because of their dreadful performance.
Before Saturday the Lions were dead last in the nation in scoring and last in the Big Ten in rushing, largely because of the lackluster play of the O-line.
The fellas on this crew kept repeatedly saying that they practiced well and just didn't execute come game time. I didn't believe them.
I thought they just flat out stunk all together.
I was wrong. I should've listened to them.
They were flat out impressive on Saturday. For the first time all season, the Lions' talented backfield saw daylight through gaping holes. The Lions 213 yards on the ground against the Wildcats were 49 yards better than what they had rushed for in the previous four games combined.
Maybe more importantly was that this group kept their quarterbacks relatively unscathed all day long. Sure, Senneca was knocked out of the game late in the fourth quarter, but his jersey remained pretty much vanilla white throughout the game. The bottom line is neither Senneca nor Mills were sacked on Saturday.
That being said, I know this was only one game, but this unit played with great confidence and motivation over the weekend (heck, maybe it was because of my previous column). And confidence usually breeds more confidence. And success brings about more success.
So for now, Gus Felder, Greg Ransom, Joe Iorio, Tyler Lenda, Chris McKelvy and Matt Schmitt, I apologize. You made me look like a fool.
For the sake of the fans, your coaches, your teammates, and mostly for yourselves, keep up the good work.
