Gameday Observations: Rutgers
Don’t look now, but Penn State is on a winning streak, folks.
The Nittany Lions improved to 2-5 on the season with a 23-7 win over Rutgers Saturday afternoon. Although the game wasn’t pretty by any means, a stout defensive performance and 248 rushing yards helped Penn State keep its momentum rolling.
Still, you probably missed a few fun things outside the Xs and Os this weekend. Here are a few amusing things we noticed from the couch, computer, and (virtual) tailgate lots.
Penn State Crosses 900 All-Time Wins
Even amid a horribly disappointing season, Penn State football made history once again Saturday by winning its 900th game dating back to the 1880s.
With @PennStateFball reaching the milestone yesterday, 4 of the 8 active FBS teams with 900+ wins are from the @bigten
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 6, 2020pic.twitter.com/lxyFAENbBx
Penn State is just the eighth team to cross the 900-win threshold, joining other powerhouse programs like Texas, Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama. Although it’s impossible this season, the Nittany Lions could pass Nebraska next season to become No. 7 in all-time wins.
John O’Neill Is Back!
A cold shiver probably runs down most Penn Staters’ spines when they hear John O’Neill is calling a Nittany Lions game. In fact, thousands have signed petitions calling for his firing over the years.
The longtime Big Ten referee has been behind many controversial calls in years past, including a handful of botched calls in Penn State’s 2019 matchup with Iowa. O’Neill received heavy criticism Saturday after not overturning this Rutgers fumble recovery late in the second quarter.
Per reports from Twitter football know-it-alls, Rutgers’ player who recovered the ball toward the sideline may have let his foot and leg slip out of bounds, which, in turn, would put the ball out of bounds, unrecoverable. Alas, O’Neill let the call stand.
Fans quickly took to Twitter to voice their frustrations and take a few shots at the controversial official.
Dominance Over Rutgers Continues
Death, taxes, and Penn State beating the crap out of Rutgers.
Nothing seems normal in 2020, but a few things remain constant no matter what. Unsurprisingly, Penn State continued its supremacy over Rutgers this weekend in just about every category.
The Nittany Lions have now won 14 straights games over the Scarlet Knights, dating all the way back to 1989. Since Rutgers joined the Big Ten in 2014, it’s scored only three touchdowns against Penn State. Sheesh!
Penn State’s advantage in the series improved to 29-2 this weekend, and it’s tough to imagine that margin getting any closer anytime soon.
Franklin’s Foggy Glasses
Once again, a slow Penn State football game bored us enough that we started paying attention to James Franklin’s glasses.
This week’s rendition of #SpectacleWatch had Franklin seeing double — well, two different ways, to say the least. Throughout Saturday’s broadcast, viewers at home likely noticed some half-foggy classes plaguing the head coach. Honestly, he kinda looked like a pirate, and that’s OK!
We’re not quite sure what caused the frustrating condensation. However, my money’s on hot breath blowing up from Franklin’s neck gaiter. After all, it’s a problem all glasses-wearers know all too well since masks became “in” last spring.
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