Penn State: 5 Bright Spots for the Nittany Lions So Far This Season

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The season is only three games in, but the Nittany Lions have to be thrilled that the focus is finally on football.

This team went through the unthinkable in the offseason, mired in controversy and surrounded by the dark and disturbing past of Jerry Sandusky.

That dark cloud is slowly beginning to dissipate and the time is now to focus on the bright spots for the Nittany Lions.

Not All of the History Is Bad

The Penn State scandal will go down in the history books as one of the most notorious events in team history.

This however should not overshadow the fact that the Nittany Lions had some great players and some good football teams.

At halftime of this game today, Penn State will honor the 30^th anniversary of the first National Championship. The 1983 Sugar Bowl awarded Penn State with a championship and launched the football program at the school.

Today, about 50 former Penn State football players will return to celebrate the football team and the football program.

This is the kind of celebration that the Nittany Lions should cherish heading towards the future.  

Quick Start

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The current football team at Penn State has plenty to be excited about too. One of the bright spots on this team is their ability to get off to quick starts.

In all three games that they have played this season, the Lions have been in the lead at halftime. This is due in part to their early scoring push.

Penn State has scored touchdowns on the opening drive in their last two games, and they will look for a similar fast start against Temple.

Emergence of a Superstar

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The Nittany Lions have found a true superstar in sophomore wide receiver Allen Robinson. Robinson has become the main target in the Penn State offense and he seems to get better with every down that he plays.

Robinson averages eight catches per game which is good enough for first in the Big Ten.  He also ranks No. 1 in the conference in receiving yards per game with a stout average of 107 yards per contest.

Robinson has found the end zone four times on the young season and is hands-down the top playmaker on the Nittany Lions.

Field General

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One of the main reasons this team is competitive and sticking together is because of the leadership and play of quarterback Matt McGloin.

McGloin is the undisputed leader on the field and the rest of the team respects his play. He has played well in the first three games and has fostered chemistry with Robinson that will continue to grow during the season.

McGloin averages 229 yards per game and has thrown for eight touchdowns compared to just one interception.

Fresh off a four-touchdown performance against Navy, McGloin will look for continued success against Temple on Saturday.

Loyal Fans

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A football team draws strength from its fanbase.

Despite all of the controversy and turmoil, the fanbase has stayed strong. They still come in droves to support their team, screaming and chanting in an attempt to will this team to victory.

The fans should be applauded for backing the football players and coaches that have weathered the storm and are doing their best to rebuild the football program at Penn State.

With a fan base as loyal as this one, the bright spots will only get brighter into the future.

 

James Brown is a B/R featured columnist and can be followed on Twitter. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail]. He also is a contributor at Bookie Blitz, a sports picks website.