Bleacher Report - Articles by Dan Alexandre

Penn State Football: The BCS Is Still Possible

Dan Alexandre — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:05:37 -0500

I know, believe me, I know. You think I'm crazy. You think I'm delusional. You think I didn't take my meds today. But, the fact is that Penn State, somehow, someway still has a shot at making a BCS bowl game.

Do they deserve it? Absolutely not. They lost against the only two quality teams they've played at home and for much of those games they were dominated.

Do I even want them to make a BCS bowl? No, I really don't. Despite the money and exposure it would be much more valuable to play in a lesser bowl against a more even opponent in order to build for next year.

But can it still happen? Yes. Some things need to happen first but those things are not at all out of the realm of possibility.

Let's break it down.

Notre Dame losing to Navy was huge, they are out of the BCS picture.

Cincinnati and Pitt play each other meaning one of them obviously has to lose. Penn State would be selected over a one loss Cincinnati or two loss Pitt team.

Boise and TCU deserve to be there but the odds that both will are not great. Everyone likes to talk about them but when push comes to shove nobody watches them.

And don't kid yourself, the BCS was designed to pick the top two teams for the National Championship. After that, the order of teams in the rankings means nothing, bowls get to pick and choose who they want. And that means whoever will bring the best TV ratings and the most fans will go. Fair? No, but true.

But on we go and this is where people will start screaming.

Iowa vs. Ohio State is this weekend. The loser of this game will not go to the BCS. Ohio State obviously because of three losses but also Iowa with two losses.

Iowa would drop out of the top 14 and lose eligibility and even if they rebound vs Minnesota the TV appeal and fan base of Penn State trumps the Hawkeyes. It's very sad, but it's very true.

Now, if Texas wins out and goes to the National Championship game, which they should, the Fiesta Bowl will probably look for a Big 12 replacement. The only viable option would be Oklahoma State (19). So, if Oklahoma State loses to Texas Tech, Colorado, or Oklahoma, the Fiesta Bowl will look elsewhere.

LSU is out. No conference can have more than two teams in the BCS. Florida and Alabama in, LSU out.

Miami and Arizona are possibilities, but are not likely. Miami does not travel well, an important factor, so the only bowl who might want them is the Orange Bowl. Unfortunately, they already have a tie with the ACC Champ which will most likely be Georgia Tech and they definitely do not want an ACC rematch.

Arizona has two losses and looks nice but has a brutal schedule remaining, playing the best of the Pac-10. If they come out of it with only two losses they deserve a bid but I don't see it happening.

If Penn State wins out they have a good shot. Remember teams ahead of them actually play legit schedules and when they lose, Penn State will move past them. They don't deserve it, but get used to the idea that it could happen.

The Top 10 Penn State Games I've Attended

Dan Alexandre — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:11:06 -0500

What can I say? I've been indoctrinated since before age 1. My dad started dragging me to Penn State games when I was six months old. I don't blame him, it was 1989 and Penn State was coming off perhaps their best 10 years of football. Since then, the Nittany Lions have had a few excellent years to be sure but they have not dominated eastern football like they had previously. I still love them unconditionally though, can't help it really. I became a true fan in the late 90's so some of my first years rooting for this team were rough to say the least. That's why it feels so good to win now. So on the eve of the biggest game of this season, I take a trip down memory lane, recounting the favorite games I've been too, hoping to add tomorrow's game to that list soon.

Begin Slideshow

Rushing Woes : What's Wrong with the Penn State Ground Attack?

Dan Alexandre — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:35:37 -0400

Things are not as they seem in Happy Valley. Yes, the No.5 ranked Nittany Lions are 2-0, winning by comfortable margins against teams they should indeed be beating comfortably. The defense is stout, special teams are solid, and the passing game is explosive. But there is an underlying problem, a problem that Penn State is not used to having under Joe Paterno. That problem is the running game.

Coming into the season, the ground game seemed to be the strength of the Penn State offense. After all, they lost Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood, three of the best receivers in school history, to graduation. Add that to the fact that running back Evan Royster returned after a stellar season along with his explosive backup Stephon Green. Even returning quarterback Daryll Clark rushed for ten touchdowns last year. Option plays and wildcat formations were sure to be at the forefront of the Nits attack.

The reality is though that Penn State averaged only 2.2 yards per carry versus Syracuse and has only averaged 3.3 on the season. It’s true, both Akron and Syracuse put eight men in the box in an effort to shut down the run. And for that matter, Darryl Clark has excelled in the passing game, essentially taking what the defense has given. But the fact is that even with eight men in the box on every play, those rushing numbers should be higher for a top team playing weak opponents.

Let’s take a look at rushing stats for the four teams ahead of Penn State in both the AP and Coaches Poll. Florida ranks number three on the ground with 660 yards, 8 touchdowns with averages of 8.4 ypc and 330 ypg. Alabama ranks tenth on the ground with 542 yards, six touchdowns with averages of 6.0 ypc and 271 ypg. USC ranks twenty-first with 460 yards, eight touchdowns with averages of 5.4 ypc and 230 ypg. And finally Texas ranks thirty-fifth with 390 yards, seven touchdowns with averages of 4.6 ypc and 195 ypg.

And how does Penn State, the team directly behind these four in the polls, stack up?

85th in the nation in rushing. 214 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3.3 ypc, 107 ypg. A lot of numbers that could get muddled in the last two paragraphs so lets simplify it.

Florida = 3rd in rushing

Texas = 35th in rushing

USC = 21st in rushing

Alabama = 10th in rushing

Penn State = 85th in rushing

Quite a discrepancy between the top four and number five. It should be noted that Alabama and USC played a quality opponent in their first two games while the other three played cupcakes.

Why does any of this matter? Well if Penn State thinks of themselves as a national championship contender it should matter. The past five national champions have all ranked in the top 23 in rushing. Three of those teams were in the top ten. I don’t believe any of those teams would be stopped four straight plays on the goal line by Syracuse like Penn State was this past weekend.

I digress, lets look at what is actually causing this rushing problem for Penn State. The obvious place to point the finger would be the offensive line. Last year’s unit was stellar and this year’s team must replace three of those linemen. The two linemen left over are switching positions within the o-line, most notably Stefen Wisniewski who is making the tough transition to center. But the blame is not solely on that unit. Even despite the inexperience, they were physically better than both Akron and Syracuse.

Some blame should also be put on the running backs. Usually known for great vision and decision making, Evan Royster has missed some cuts in the early going. Now this could be said for any running back on any team, but the cuts have been especially poor compared to last year’s effort. Whether he’s trying too hard or just not getting enough reps, Royster needs to let the game slow down and see the holes.

But the most blame, by far, goes to Joe Paterno. Paterno is a very wily coach even if he doesn’t let on that he is. Outside a reverse or two, there was nothing special in terms of play calling. You try running straight up the gut with an inexperienced offensive line against eight defenders in the box whose aim is solely to stop the run. This vanilla offense was not without purpose though. Considering the first three games are cupcakes, Paterno isn’t showing anything yet. The main evidence of that is Daryll Clark.

The athletic QB only has five rushing attempts through two games after a year in which he scored ten rushing touchdowns. Three of those attempts were goal line type QB sneaks and the other two were scrambles on designed passing plays. No QB draws, no option, no QB reads. This serves a dual purpose. First, it makes sure PSU doesn’t show their hand to stronger opponents down the road. And secondly, it protects Clark which is prudent considering his backup is a true freshman and the only other scholarship QB on the roster.

So there is reason for optimism regarding the Nittany Lions running game. The real plays, the gems, are stored away for now, waiting to be unleashed Sept. 26th versus Iowa. Clark will start to run more, defenses will have to be more honest, and the offensive line will (hopefully) gel. The ground attack may not be one of the best in the country but Paterno will make sure its ready to go when the big boys come to town.

Penn State 2008 Awards and Recap

Dan Alexandre — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:25:52 -0500

The 2008 college football regular season is in the books for Penn State. That of course means it’s time to hand out awards before the bowl season springs upon us.

Penn State had an excellent season and one that will not soon be forgotten by any faithful Nittany Lion fan. There were off-field problems and distractions in the preseason, but when the football started, it became apparent that this PSU team was extremely well-rounded and on a mission.

That mission started four/five years ago when Joe Paterno landed perhaps his greatest, or maybe most important, recruiting class of his remarkable tenure. Those seniors are the story of this Big Ten championship season and are deserving of all the credit that is bestowed upon them.

All that being said, here are the 2008 Penn State football awards.

Offensive MVP: QB Daryll Clark

There is no doubt this man was the catalyst to Penn State’s success. When he played well, they won. When he played poorly, well, yeah nevermind.

Runner-up: C A.Q. Shipley

He anchored the rock solid offensive line that gave our RBs plenty of room to run and gave our QBs plenty of time to throw.

Defensive MVP: LB Navorro Bowman

This guy was a stud all year long. Didn’t start the first two games but forced his way onto the field with his excellent play and leadership.

Runner-up: DE Aaron Maybin

Maurice Evans was supposed to be the force on the DL this year, but because of off the field troubles for Evans, Maybin was able to step in and dominate.

Best Freshman: RB Stephfon Green

This kid is lightning quick, the definition of a game-changer if I’ve ever seen one. He was a great change of pace for Royster and improved with each game.

Runner-up: S Drew Astorino

He got plenty of playing time early in the year and should be able to take over for Scirrotto seamlessly next year.

Game-changer: WR/PR Derrick Williams

The only player for Joe Paterno to score a rushing, receiving, and returning TD in one game. He made plays to swing momentum numerous times throughout the year.

Runner-up: WR Deon Butler

He became Penn State’s all-time reception leader, and while that takes consistency, he has always been a big play threat in the passing game.

Best Passing TD: vs. MSU, Clark to Butler

This play was a thing of beauty. I believe it was a 70-yard play, but regardless of the yardage, it was the execution which set this one up. Clark took the snap and faked a screen out to his left and then proceeded to fake a draw type handoff to Evan Royster. The defense bit on both of these fakes, allowing Deon Butler to drift wide open down the middle of the field without a defender in sight.

Runner-up: vs. Ill, Clark to Williams

There were many to choose from, such as Butler vs. Wis. or any number of passing TDs vs. Oregon St. and Syracuse. This play sticks out, however, as both a game-changer and a great play. Clark was in the shotgun with Williams in the backfield. Clark did a play- action fake to Williams and then looked to the other side of the field as Williams turned the fake into a wheel route. Just as Clark was about to get hit, he turned and fired a perfect pass to Williams as he was crossing the goal line.

Best Rushing TD: Evan Royster vs. Mich.

Penn State was down 10-0 in the first quarter. The Wolverines were thinking upset, and everyone else was sick to their stomachs. That’s when Royster stepped up and provided a spark. From 50 yards out he got the handoff and was immediately met by a pile of defenders. He kept his feet moving however and spun, breaking tackles and eventually breaking into the open field for the long TD run. The Lions settled after that play and went on to rout Michigan.

Runner-up: Stephfon Green vs. Tem.

It looked like a standard running play as Clark gave it to the freshman on the left side. But Green broke two tackles and absolutely smoked the secondary for a 59-yard score, showing the same speed he did in the Blue/White game the previous spring.

Best Individual Performance: Daryll Clark vs. MSU

Clark ended the season on a perfect note after struggling for a few weeks beforehand. He was 16-26 for 341 yards and five touchdowns, one of those rushing. It’s by far the best performance of his career and provides promise that he will continue to get better and better.

Runner-up: Derrick Williams vs. Ill.

One rushing TD, one receiving TD, and one kick return TD, all in a closely contested game. He’s the first player to accomplish this feat under Joe Paterno and was a sight to behold that night.

Clutch Moment of the Year: Mark Rubin vs. OSU

The play that saved the season (at that point at least.) Ohio State was up and driving, trying to suck time off the clock. It was a 3rd-and-1, and the play call was a QB sneak right up the middle. Terrelle Pryor decided to improvise and looked to have room on the right side of the field for a big gain. That’s when Mark Rubin squared up and smacked the ball right out of Pryor’s hand. The ensuing scramble favored Penn State, and Pat Devlin led them on the game-winning drive.

Runner-up: Lydell Sargeant vs. OSU

Moments after the clutch moment of the year, the PSU defense needed to come up with another one. Ohio State was driving to tie the game when Pryor rolled right and chucked a pass to the front corner of the end zone. Sargeant undercut the throw and picked it off to seal the game once and for all.

While Penn State doesn’t have the opportunity to play for the national title like we all thought they might, this season has been a tremendous success. Who honestly thought that we would go 11-1 and win the Big Ten? If you told me preseason that we’d go 10-2 and a New Year’s Bowl, I would have been satisfied.

So it’s not what it could’ve been, but this team exceeded expectations, and we should be proud of them. Let’s go beat those Trojans!

State Of The Big Ten

Dan Alexandre — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:38:44 -0400

Seven weeks down, and six to go in the Big Ten. We’ve reached that point in the season where it’s reasonable to start projecting how the conference stacks up against each other based on performance, and not preseason hype. This is my Big Ten power rankings through week seven. Also, I’ll discuss some big matchups in the coming weeks as well as some offensive standouts from the first half of the year.

Power Rankings-

1. Penn State 7-0 (3-0)

This is a team on a mission. If that’s not apparent after the 48-7 thrashing they gave Wisconsin at Camp Randall then I don’t know what is. They haven’t overlooked an opponent yet and look to be the favorite to win the Big Ten at this point with first year quarterback Darryl Clark leading the way.

2. Ohio State 6-1 (3-0)

It almost seems that the Buckeyes are here by default. It feels like they’ve been sleepwalking offensively for the past three or four weeks which needs to change if they want to win their next two games (@ MSU, vs. PSU). Those games will tell us everything we need to know about the Buckeyes.

3. Michigan State 6-1 (3-0)

They are beginning to personify their head coach, Mark Dantonio. Tough D and mistake free football has led to six straight victories for the Spartans. If heisman hopeful Javon Ringer has a big day against the Buckeyes it could be seven in a row and a date with PSU to decide the Big Ten on the last day of the season.

4. Minnesota 6-1 (2-1)

The Golden Gophers are the surprise of not just the Big Ten but all of college football after beating the Illini this past weekend. After going 1-11 with no conference wins last year, they have to be on cloud 9 right about now. I could really see them going 4-1 or 1-4 the rest of the year but either way they are bowl eligible just one year after being the Big Ten’s whipping boy.

5. Northwestern 5-1 (1-1)

With games against Purdue and Indiana coming up the Wildcats look to bounce back from a sluggish loss to MSU and become bowl eligible. Tyrell Sutten is the workhorse for this team and as long as C.J. Bacher limits his mistakes they should indeed become 7-1. After that the road gets a bit tougher and I look for them to drop three of their final four games.

6. Illinois 3-3 (1-2)

Plain and simple, Illinois is better than the team that showed up against the Gophers on Saturday. The Illini could easily be in the top three teams on this list but they continue to be all flash and no substance. If they played some defense to back up playmakers Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn then it’s plausible they could be tops on this list. They need to win out to salvage this season and unfortunately that’s just not happening.

7. Iowa 4-3 (1-2)

My impression of the Hawkeyes during the first part of the year is this = Dang, that Shonn Greene kid is good. Iowa runs the ball well and plays good defense, that’s usually a good combination. They need to fair well in the next three games against struggling Wisconsin and Illinois and then Penn State to have a chance to brag at the end of the year.

8. Wisconsin 3-3 (0-3)

I hate to say it, but Wisconsin is becoming the Clemson of the Big Ten... annually overrated. They just took their worst home defeat in almost two decades making it three losses in a row.

Looking at the schedule, they only have two “guaranteed” wins left, those being Indiana and Cal Poly. They need to fix the QB problem and re-establish the running game if they want to make it to a bowl this year.

9. Purdue 2-4 (0-2)

The Boilermakers hung tough against the conference’s two best teams but was only able to muster nine combined points in those games. So as shocking as it seems, the problem with this Purdue team is their offense. Curtis Painter can pass for all the yards in the world but it doesn’t matter if they can’t take advantage in the redzone.

10. Michigan 2-4 (1-1)

Imagine if Wisconsin didn’t fall apart in the second half of this matchup three weeks ago. Michigan would be 1-5 with a loss to lowly Toledo. Obviously Michigan beat Wisconsin so you have to give credit where credit is due but this Wolverine team is just not good. A rebuilding year or two was expecting with Rich Rod coming in but, did you seriously, honestly expect this? There is a very real possibility that Michigan is going to have a losing record this year.

11. Indiana 2-4 (0-3)

The Hoosiers were a great story last year. Unfortunately that has not translated to this year. The schedule only gets harder from this point forward and I see one, maybe two more wins in store for them. And that’s if they catch a few lucky breaks. They made Iowa look like the best team in the Big Ten last weekend.

Remaining Big Games

10/18 - Ohio State at Michigan State

Not many fans had this one marked down as a conference deciding game at the beginning of the year but that’s exactly what it’s turned into. Sparty always plays the Buckeyes tough no matter how good they are so this should be a very telling game for both teams and for the conference.

10/25- Penn State at Ohio State

This game has turned into THE game of the year in the Big Ten. Quick fact = The last time Ohio State started a freshman QB vs. Penn State was 1978 which happens to be the last time the Nittany Lions came out of Columbus with a win.

11/1 - Northwestern at Minnesota

If the top three teams tumble these two (amazingly enough) have put themselves in position to compete for the crown.

11/8 - Ohio State at Northwestern

Depending on how OSU fares the next two weeks, this could be a huge game for both teams. If OSU struggles, look for this NU team to capitalize. If OSU hits there stride, this could be their last speed bump on the way to the conference championship.

11/22- Michigan State at Penn State

In recent years, its been the OSU/Mich rivalry which has dominated the conference. But this year it very well could be the Battle for the Land Grant Trophy which decides the whole deal. MSU and PSU have never played for anything more than a forced rivalry, but this one could mean oh so much more.

Standout Players

QB

1. Darryl Clark, Penn State. 160.6 QB rating, 96-149, 64.4%, 1360 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs, 6 rushing TDs

2. Adam Weber, Minnesota. 145.0 QB rating, 142-209, 67.9%, 1612 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs, 2 rushing TDs

3. Juice Williams, Illinois. 151.2 QB rating, 107-183, 58.5%, 1677 yards, 13 TDs, 7 INTs, 4 rushing TDs

Javon Ringer, Michigan State. 1112 yards, 4.5 ypc, 14 TDs

Shonn Greene, Iowa. 937 yards, 6.2 ypc, 6 TDs

Evan Royster, Penn State. 719 yards, 7.3 ypc, 9 TDs

Eric Decker, Minnesota. 59 receptions, 782 yards, 5 TDs

Jordan Norwood, Penn State. 21 receptions, 377 yards, 4 TDs

Andy Brodell, Iowa. 24 receptions, 373 yards, 3 TDs

Aaron Maybin (Penn State) and Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State) should also be mentioned for there contributions on defense. Maybin has been a terror on the defensive line, applying constant pressure and has already forced nine sacks. Jenkins seems to be everywhere at once in the secondary nabbing three interceptions so far this year.

And finally, the special teams player of the year is... Penn State’s (of course) Derrick Williams. He’s returned two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns so far on the season and he’s averaging 30+ yards per return. He currently has five touchdown returns in his career, a Penn State record.

Week 6 Preview = Penn State at Purdue

Dan Alexandre — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:31:21 -0400

It's quite the coincidence that this week's Penn State vs. Purdue game is being played at Ross-Ade Stadium considering how many people have been sipping the Penn State kool-ade recently. And why shouldn't they? Penn State has rolled through it's first 5 games, dominating it's non-conference opponents including a thorough beat down of the spunky Beavers of Oregon State and beating an explosive Illinois squad by 2 touchdowns in their Big Ten opener despite numerous defensive mistakes.

Purdue, on the other hand, has struggled through it's first 4 games. Their record sits at .500 currently and the wins are none too impressive. The Boilermakers did smash Northern Colorado but barely beat Central Michigan in a game they could have easily lost. The losses to Oregon and Notre Dame only shed more doubt on the quality of this Purdue team.

All of that being said, this is a very dangerous game for the Nittany Lions for numerous reasons. The Lions havn't played a legitimate team on the road yet this year. Darryl Clark responded very well to pressure situations against Illinois, but how will he react in a similar situation without the support of the home crowd?

This game is also in a bad spot on the schedule for Penn State. It's sandwiched in between a nationally televised, emotionally charged win against Illinois and a huge match-up versus the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison. Hmmmm, a game on the road against a .500 team sandwiched in between 2 big games, looks like a trap game.

It doesn't help that the Boilermakers have a quarterback the likes of Curtis Painter, who single-handedly kept the game close last year in Happy Valley and just threw 400+ yards in a loss to Notre Dame. Add in an explosive running back like Kory Sheets and it could mean a large headache for a possibly overconfident Nittany Lion team.

Joe Paterno has been here before though. He knows how to keep his teams focused on the task at hand instead of overlooking an opponent. How else could the Lions look sharp in every one of their non-conference games despite the fact that most of the starters did not see the second half?

There's no doubt that this Purdue game is a dangerous game but this Penn State team is a dangerous team. Look for Evan Royster to pace the Lions offense on the ground, eventually allowing Darryl Clark to open it up with the play-action to his favorite target Jordan Norwood who will apparently be good to go on Saturday. Norwood injured his hamstring in practice last week before the Illinois game but it's not serious enough to keep him sidelined another week. Defensively, look for the front 7 to put pressure on Curtis Painter after being held back to contain Juice Williams last week. Linebacker Navarro Bowman continues to improve each week and is becoming a force to be reckoned with against the run and the pass.

In the end, Penn State will stay focused and win a solid game on the road and then look forward to the Badgers.

My prediction : Penn State 35 Purdue 17

Joe Paterno's Exit Plan with Penn State

Dan Alexandre — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:07:32 -0400

When does loyalty become a liability? It’s a fine line for any business, corporation, or even individual. In the case of Joe Paterno and Penn State, that already thin line becomes oh so thinner.

When is the right time to ask a legend to leave? It would be one thing if his success was solely on the gridiron. In that case it would be simple mathematics. “You used to win nationally, you don’t as much in these later years, we’re going to kindly show you the door.”

That is of course assuming that Graham Spanier has the testicular fortitude to even suggest it might be time that Joe leave.

Fortunately, its not that simple. Paterno, as we all know, meant much more to his university, to his community, and to his sport than can be measured by wins and losses or championship trophies.

His graduation rates have always been outstanding and he consistently runs a clean program. When his players are bone-headed, he swiftly hands out punishment publicly and one can only assume privately as well.

It’s a breath of fresh air that such a character-driven man can be so successful. Sometimes the good guy can win despite the Nick Saban’s and Bobby Petrino’s of the world.

The Penn State brass now have a very delicate decision on their hands. There are very few exiting circumstances that will sour JoePa’s stellar career. Conversely, if Spanier and Curley screw this situation up their own legacies, not to mention careers, could be very much at stake.

Do they fire a man who has not only won 370+ games, built PSU football single-handedly, and been around for a half century but also has done countless deeds for the university itself with one of the lowest salaries in the Big Ten? Or do they allow recruits to continue slipping away, unsure how long or how effectively the legend will coach?

Many fans believe Joe is holding the program hostage. It’s not a decision I would like to make, that’s for sure.

Of course, there are other factors impacting this situation. Recruiting is one as mentioned before. Also not to be taken lightly is the all-time wins record. None of us really know if Joe is hanging on just to outlast Bobby Bowden. Considering that reasoning would go against 50+ years of proven character decisions on Paterno’s part, my opinion would be that is not the reason he is still coaching.

Not only does the University need to be fair with Paterno, they also need to be upfront and honest with Tom Bradley, the man who looks to be his successor. Bradley’s been under Paterno for going on three decades. Considering how fast assistants come and go nowadays, that’s a level of loyalty almost matching the living legend himself.

It all comes back to that original question. When does loyalty become a liability? The man is 81 years old. He’s 29-9 over the past 3 years with bowl wins over 3 quality teams. Sounds like he can still coach to me.

At this point, its not unreasonable or irrational to keep him and this is the last year of his contract. After that, given he’s healthy and still effective they owe it to him to make one year contracts until he wants to call it quits or he’s incapable of doing his job.

This isn’t about nostalgia. This isn’t about money. This isn’t even really about football. This is about giving back to a man who gave you his everything for five full decades. Firing him now goes against every fiber of what Penn State has stood for over the years.

Joe deserves to leave in a good situation. God bless him and may God help Spanier’s soul if he screws up Paterno’s departure.