Well the opening Saturday of college football has come and gone, and it was pretty normal for college football standards.

USC was impressive

Ohio State won easily, but stud tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells (I won't call anyone Beanie, just won't) went down with a foot injury. X-rays were negative but it has not been diagnosed yet.

Missouri rolled to a 52-42 win over Illinois, but Tigers star wide receiver Jeremy Maclin went down with an injury.

Appalachian State was not able to make lightening strike twice against LSU.

Clemson proved once again that they can't win a big game.

P.J. Hill showed no ill signs from his injury last season as he ran all over Akron.

Skip Holtz, son of good ole' Lou Holtz, led his East Carolina Pirates to an upset over Virginia Tech.

Dave "I no longer have a job" Wannstedt and his Pitt Panthers, considered by some media outlets to be a preseason Big East contender, drop their opener to a school that sounds more like bocce ball, Bowling Green.

And finally, good ole' Rich Rodriguez, making his coaching debut at Michigan, learned he doesn't have a quarterback. Or an offense for that matter, as the Wolverines dropped their second-straight home opener to Utah.

-- Wible

On that note, we are heading down to the field for the final minutes. Thanks for checking in and make sure to check back with The Daily Collegian for continuing coverage of today's game.

4:23 And, finally Brandon Beachum muscles his way through for Penn State's 9th touchdown. 66-7

5:22 Well, it looks like the Lions are just using the clock to their advantage. Cianciolo has led the march down the field in a drive that is already over 6 minutes long.

12:10 Paul Cianciolo is getting some playing time after Clark and Devlin had their shots. The play is starting at the Penn State 20-yard line.

Official attendance was just announced 106,577. Pretty decent for the season opener. These fans got pretty lucky with the weather. It wasn't looking too promising earlier.

Welcome to the fourth quarter...and as expected, the student section is looking like it did at kickoff. I'm Julie Reis, the sports chief at the Collegian and I'm alongside Virginia Harrison, the sports editor, to finish this off.

A few stats from halftime: Stephfon Green is averaging 11.3 yards per carry (6 carries for 68 yards), Royster 8.8 (4 carries for 35 yards).

Clark finished 9-of-10 for 121 yards, Norwood has 74 receiving yards and Williams has 149 all-purpose yards.

Start of third quarter: Clark and Royster reappear and Penn State is still playing most of its starters. Royster and the other Penn State running backs are having an easy time running all over CC.

12:30: Clark just made his first mistake of the game, throwing a pass to a CC defensive back that was dropped. He atones for it by a 16-yard pass to Derrick Williams.

11:35: Royster runs for his third touchdown of the game and received great blocks on the outside from Dan Lawlor and Graham Zug. Mismatch continues, 45-7 Penn State. How long until Cianciolo makes his debut?

11:30: CC begins yet another drive inside its own 15, this time because the returner brought them kick out of the end zone. Scirrotto drops an easy interception at the 20.

10:26: Devlin at QB. Carter breaks off a nice 37-yard run. Penn State 1st-and-10 at CC 26. Devin Fentress drops a wide receiver screen. Carter runs for another first down, 1st-and-10 at the 13. This is looking too easy. Exodus has to begin after this touchdown. Carter does the dirty work, Green cleans up with his second touchdown. Penn State, 52-7.

8:05: This reached the point of a mismatch, oh, about two hours ago. CC returners collide and drive begins at the 12. Sales flagged for a questionable late hit to move the ball up to 29. MacDowall sustains the drive with a 7-yard run up the middle.

On another note, Ohio State stud running back Beanie Wells was carted off the field during the third quarter with an injury to the foot area. Reports pegged the injury as serious. If Wells goes down, it completely changes the complexion of Ohio State's offense. Here's a link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3560975

4:34: Maybin smears MacDowall to force a punt. He, and the rest of the defensive line, have lived behind the line of scrimmage.

4:23: Penn State takes over at 17. Devlin and Green in the backfield but the rest of the reserves entered in full force. Devlin had a nice rollout, completing a 13-yard pass to James McDonald. He looks very poised. Powell finishes off the drive with a 55-yard run reverse down the sideline and he wasn't touched until teammates congratulated him. Penn State 59, CC 7. Only family, friends and diehards remain.

1:34: CC somehow starts a drive at the 25. Quarter ends a Penn State offsides penalty that kept a drive going.

Julie Reis will finish off this barnburner.

-- JL

And now I'll throw it to my buddy Josh Langenbacher who will take you through the third quarter.

Coastal Carolina takes a knee and that's the end of the first half.

38-7 PSU halftime

And just when it looked like Coastal was going to stop the Lion offense, Devlin hit Moye for a 27-yard strike on third and long. But the drive stalled inside the Coastal five and Kevin Kelly connected on his first field goal of the season, from 21 yards out.

38-7 PSU 0:28 2nd

The Penn State defense limits Coastal to four yards and forces another punt. Williams calls for a fair catch at his own 36. Penn State has 3:33 to score before the half.

The rout is on. Stephfon Green with his first career touchdown from the seven. It was a nice run by Green as he hesitated, waited for a hole to open and cut back at the line of scrimmage. In his limited carries, he's shown good vision and skill running between the tackles. This team is stacked at running back.

35-7 PSU 5:42 2nd

And we have our first Devlin sighting. And mad props to the guy, on the first play he hit Norwood on a 34-yard strike for his first collegiate completion. The ball was a little underthrown but Norwood made a nice adjustment on the ball. Penn State is on the doorstep again.

Penn State is now +1 in the turnover department in 2008. Bani Gbadyu went up high to tip a Macdowell pass and hauled it in at the Coastal 45.

Mad props to the Coastal baton twirlers. It's obvious going to school next to the beach has its advantages. Why in the name of all that is holy did I decide to come to school in the middle of the Pennsylvania mountains? But back to the baton twirlers, if you ladies would like to see town, I'm a more than adequate tour guide ;-)

And we have our first passing touchdown of the season. Clark finds Norwood in the back corner of the endzone on a nice 6-yard fade route. The touchdown was set up by a 22-yard Stephfon Green run between the tackles.

Penn Stater scoring drive: 7 plays, 67 yard, 3:35

28-7 PSU 8:07 2nd

We may have found the spread HD. Clark, Carter ran the option to the left with Jordan Norwood running a reverse, but it was blown up by Dominique Davenport in the backfield.

And Penn State forces a punt that was short and Williams never had a chance to return. The Lion offense picks it up at its own 33.

Interesting note, there's a pretty cool looking haze covering Mt. Nittany that just screams central Pennsylvania.

There's probably only 95,000 fans in the stands and the student section has a giant hole in it.

And just like that, Derrick Williams squashes that upset bug by returning the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to paydirt. Pretty nice return from Williams who fielded the ball on the left hash, ran to the right hash and found a seam. He even broke a tackle, granted it was the kicker, but he still broke a tackle. And Brett Brackett finished the run with a nice block around the 15.

So just like that, Penn State responds and dashes Coastal's hopes.

21-7 PSU 13:24 2nd

Upset Alert, Upset Alert. Macdowall just connected with Brandon Whitley for a 33-yard touchdown pass. The linebackers appeared out of position on the play. Coastal coach Dave Bennett has got to be happy with his team winning a battle.

Coastal Carolina scoring drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 2:30

14-7 PSU 13:38 2nd

- AW

That's the end of the first.

Coastal Carolina will start with the ball and a first down in the second quarter.

Bennett has decided to change quarterbacks, also. Sophomore Zach Macdowall is now tossing and handing off for the Chanticleers.

There is still a gaping hole in the student section. Dang, guys. I had a few brews last night, I made it to the press box at 10 a.m.

Geez. Wible's got the second quarter. He's since recovered from the eggs.

--TJ

Coastal coach Dave Bennett is favoring the short passing game, opting for screens, swings and quick outs.

It's sort of working. Coastal passed midfield, but got pushed back to their own 38 and were forced to punt after a PSU DT Jared Odrick pulled RIchardson to the grass.

Penn State will punt on 4th and 1 after a Clark pass to Royster was not long enough.

Oops, wait. Penn State gets a delay of game penalty and Jeremy Boone will punt from about the nine (that's where it came off his foot).

14-0 PSU 1:08 1st

Whew. That was quick.

Penn State wasted no time getting down the field. Royster was the man on that drive, opening it with a 22-yard run and ending it with a 2-yard thrust up the middle for the touchdown.

5 plays, 80 yards, 2:08 T.O.P.

14-0 PSU, 6:08 1st

Good play call on third down by Coastal -- a 28-yard screen pass from Richardson. But, after two short gains, Richardson, facing heavy pressure, had to get rid of it.

Williams let the ball bounce into the endzone and Penn State will take it from the 20 yard line.

7-0 PSU, 8:16 1st

Right off the bat -- a huge play. The coastal return man originally bobbled the ball, then got drilled by a Nittany Lion. He fumbled, but a Chanticleer hopped on the loose ball.

Coastal QB, William Richardson completed a 16-yard pass over the middle for the game's initial first down, but after that it was all Penn State. After a Coastal punt and a 7-yard gain by Derrick Williams, PSU QB Daryll Clark hit Deon Butler for his first completion of the game.

Clark found Butler again for a first down, then Evan Royster ran seven yards untouched for the game's first points.

Scoring drive: 4 plays, 43 yards, 1:29 T.O.P.

7-0 PSU, 11:02 1st

--TJ

Hey, it's Travis. I'll be taking you guys through at least the first quarter. Penn State has won the toss and will defer to the second half.

Coastal Carolina will start with the ball in just a matter of seconds.

Now the chants of WE ARE...

--TJ

Travis reporting in. Coastal Carolina's band just finished up. They weren't too shabby, but then again, I'm a sucker for brass and woodwind instruments.

A group decided it would be a good idea to get block seating. It just so happens their block is all they way up in the nosebleeds in section EA. The dude in the Eli Manning jersey sticks out like a sore thumb.

There have been no sightings of the Chanticleer mascot. I'm not even sure what it looks like, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a big green rooster. Email me if you spot him before me. If you find him, I'll give you a shout out.

Right now, the Lion is revin' everyone up. The Blue Band is on the field and wait for it.... YES, ooh, close. The drum major took a bit of a seat on his flip, but we'll give him an 8 overall.

10 minutes until kickoff. 10 minutes until football.

-TJ

Hey, this is Travis. I know it may be a little early (there are still 23 minutes until kickoff) but here are a few observations:

The new ribbon boards along the upper decks look pretty cool.

Coastal Carolina and Penn State have both finished stretching. The Chanticleers have returned to their dressing room while the Nittany Lions are still going through individual and team drills.

Where is the nation's top student section? We're all guessing it won't be full until the start of the second quarter.

Check back for updates as we'll take you through the game until the final five minutes. We'll also keep you posted on our partner, Wible -- he ate some eggs that aren't agreeing with him.

--TJ

Welcome everyone to the start of another college football season for the Nittany Lions. I'm Brian Eller, the football editor for the Daily Collegian, and along with writers Travis Johnson, Josh Langenbacher, and Andrew Wible, we'll be keeping you in the action for today's game as the Lions will take on Coastal Carolina.

It's officially college football season. Sure, the actual games are still weeks away, but Sports Illustrated's college football preview found its way into my mailbox today.

And as expected, the usual Georgias, Ohio States and USCs lace the top 10, but make your way to No. 18 and you gotta' do a double take. Sittin' there -- four spots ahead of the Nittany Lions -- is Oregon State.

Now I ain't sayin the Beavers won't be a bowl team, heck, I think they'll give Penn State all the Lions can handle in week two, but 18th in the friggin' country? Come on.

OSU returns seven starters on offense, but only three on defense. And while the Beavers have a pair of dynamic playmakers in receivers James Rodgers and Sammie Stroughter, the quarterback situation is iffy at best.

Throw in a schedule that includes early test in a cross country trip to Happy Valley, USC and at the pesky Utah Utes and there's a possibility OSU could start out 2-3.

Don't count out the Beavers on Sept. 6, but they sure as heck aren't the 18th best team in the nation, and definitely don't deserve to be ranked ahead of Penn State. If this doesn't serve as bulletin board material in Lasch, I don't know what does.

Oh, and just for the record, we're still not looking past Coastal Carolina in week one.

- Wible

Believe it or not, the legal troubles are hurting football programs outside Happy Valley as well. Just today, ESPN's college football page featured links to five stories relating to player misbehavior.

Among the notables:

- On Monday, Georgia head coach Mark Richt suspended linebacker Darius Dewberry for the first two games of the season. The junior strongside 'backer was seen on security tapes causing damage at a local hospital following a bar fight in Athens. Dewberry is the eighth Bulldog arrested this offseason, and the Bulldog to be suspended for the season opener against Georgia Southern.

- Wisconsin head man Bret Bielema kicked formerly suspended running back Lance Smith off the Badgers' roster. Smith was originally suspended for charges of battery and disorderly conduct against his girlfriend.

- Three West Virginia players were kicked off the team after being charged with serious drug charges this offseason. Also, star Mountaineer running back Noel Devine and receiver Jock Sanders were suspended after their involvement in a fight outside a Morgantown bar. (Quick note, both players are 20, and therefore not legally allowed to be in a bar. But then again, it is West Virginia . . . )

- Nebraska defensive tackle Kevin Dixon was kicked off the team be coach Bo Pelini for "an undisclosed violation of team rules." Earlier this year, Dixon was cited by university police for separate incidents, one involving possession of marijuana and the other, public urination.

- Kentucky quarterback Curtis Pulley was kicked off the team after repeated speeding and marijuana offenses.

- Michigan running back Kevin Grady Jr. is serving a suspension after being charged with drunken driving.

- Oklahoma freshman receiver Josh Jarboe was kicked off the team before he ever even had a chance to don a Sooner uniform. Jarboe, who was arrested on gun charges in high school, so it probably wasn't the brightest of moves to post this freestyle on YouTube (warning, explicit)

- Then there's Florida State. Receiver Preston Parker is suspended two games after pleading guilty to drug and weapons charges. But the piece de resistance for the Seminoles involves an academic scandal from last semester in which 25 players were caught cheating on an online course. All 25 players will be suspended for the first three games.

- Oh, and Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen could soon be receiving his second underage drinking citation in as many years after pictures of him participating in a beer olympics surfaced on the blog The Big Lead.

Now just because it's happening elsewhere doesn't make the recent off-field actions of a handful of Nittany Lions right. But it could be easy to lost sight and perspective of the rest of the college football world when bombarded with report after report of suspended or dismissed Penn Staters.

- Wible

EDGEWOOD, Pa. -- The first sign of fall is finally upon us. Sure, it's still as hot as the Florida State cowgirls outside, but it's the first official day of fall practice for the Nittany Lions.

And while we may not be able to get our eyes on the action with the security around the Lasch Football Building resembling Obama's entourage, we'll try to get the skinny on all the latest stories during media day on Friday.

Today's the day when the quarterback battle starts to unfold and the by now almost mythical "Spread HD" offense begins to be implemented.

Yes friends, we are almost there, less than a month away from the season opener. Football is in the air. It's so close you can almost smell it, well that is if you can pull yourself away from the wafting aroma of pine tar and chewing tobacco, because it still is baseball season. But fear not, tailgating debauchery is right around the corner.

- Wible

PITTSBURGH -- If ya got tickets for this season, consider yourself lucky, because the 2008 Nittany Lion home football slate is officially sold out. No more tickets available, unless of course you're willing to pay about a grand or donate a kidney.

If you don't have tickets, don't worry about it. You can still head to the Valley every Saturday and partake in the fun, heck for some of the games (cough, cough Coastal Carolina), the tailgating should be more exciting than the action inside the stadium. So pack up your RV, grab a case or two of your favorite, um, soda, and come join the party. If you need a place to stay, just give me a call, I got a futon.

Also, the athletic department has announced there will once again be a football eve on Aug. 29th at 7:45 in the stadium. This is pretty cool, you might get to see a student shank a field goal attempt for free books. And the highlight is watching good ole JoePa address the crowd. I can still remember him telling his team "We walk like men," during the 2005 football eve. It's pretty cool and fun for kids who get to see their favorite players without helmets and pads.

Here's his speech at last year's football eve, gotta love the fire and humor

P.S., lil' Jack doesn't have big enough hands for the knuckleball yet, but he sure does like chewing on wiffle balls.

- Wible

PITTSBURGH -- With August upon us and the opener against Coastal Carolina only 28 days away, the tell-tale signs of football season are all around. The USA Today coaches poll was unveiled today, giving a glimpse at who should be contending for the BCS title this season.

The Nittany Lions come in at #22, which considering the lack of experience at quarterback might be alright, but with the talent surrounding whoever will take the snaps, 22 might be a little low. But let's take a closer look at the poll.

- Here's the top five
#1 Georgia
#2 USC
#3 Ohio State
#4 Oklahoma
#5 Florida

- For all the flack the Big Ten has been receiving this offseason (mainly stemming from Ohio State's back-to-back BCS title game losses), the coaches still respect the midwestern conference. The Big Ten boasts five teams in the top 25 (#3 Ohio State, #12 Wisconsin, #19 Illinois, Penn State and #24 Michigan), which is tied for tops with the SEC and Big 12.

- The Nittany Lions' schedule has received some ridicule from "experts" for being too soft, but the slate features four teams in the top 25 (the aforementioned Big Ten squads) and two other teams that received votes (#35 Oregon State and #40 Michigan State).

- As far as Penn State being snubbed by the voters, let's take a look at some of the teams ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions.

- #11 Auburn is looking at essentially the same challenge Penn State is facing. The Tigers will be breaking in a new, athletic quarterback in Kodi Burns. But both of Penn State's options under center are better passers than Burns. Auburn and Penn State finished 6th and 7th in scoring defense last season, but the Lions return more starters on both sides of the ball. Auburn is sitting at #11 based upon recent history and it wouldn't surprise me if the voters are still trying to make up for the Tigers being snubbed from the 2005 BCS title game.

- #15 Virginia Tech is another team ranked so high because of its history. The Hokies have two options at quarterback in pure passer Sean Glennon and versatile Tyrod Taylor, but neither has thrived in Blacksburg. Tech must also replace RB Brandon Ore who was kicked off the team and find a pair of starting receivers. The offense will struggle to score, but what's new for coach Frank Beamer? His teams have always relied heavily on defense and special teams, but the defense only returns four starters. Granted, they play in the weak ACC, but the Hokies are rated too high.

- #20 Oregon must also find a quarterback and will also try to replace stud RB Jonathan Stewart. The Ducks only return one starting wide receiver and while the defense returns 7 starters from last season, it's still the Pac 10, so Oregon might as well be called the ucks because they don't play any D.

There's a quick glance at the first coaches' poll of the season, and as with all preseason polls, remember, this is simply a guess. Sorry for the cliche, but the national title is won on the field, so we won't really know anything until the pads are strapped on and the hits are delivered. But until then, we've got something to argue about and get us through the dog days of WNBA and Arena football taking the primetime TV slots.

Well I'm off to try and teach my 10-month-old nephew how to throw a knuckleball.
- Wible