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Rudel: Picking highs and lows from PSU loss

UNIVERSITY PARK — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 41-21 loss to Iowa on Saturday at Beaver Stadium: Play of the game: On third-and-1 from the PSU 49 midway through the second quarter, Will Levis made an errant pitch to Keyvone Lee, who couldn’t hold it. Iowa took over at the Lions’ 41 and turned the mistake into a touchdown that extended the Hawks’ lead to 17-7. The Nittany Lions never recovered. Offensive player of the game: Iowa running back Mekhi Sargent rushed 15 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Defensive player of the game: ...

Rudel: Offense not doing its job

UNIVERSITY PARK —If you can’t make a yard, you don’t deserve to win. That old football axiom was on full display Saturday as Penn State’s 41-21 loss to Iowa was unfolding. With the Nittany Lions down 10-7 in the second quarter, they faced third-and-1 at their 49. Did they go under center? No. Did they insert a fullback? Of course not. They don’t play power football under James Franklin. As we’ve been told numerous times—through multiple offensive coordinators—Penn State doesn’t use those plays because it doesn’t practice them. It’s committed to a spread ...

Rudel: Another search for elusive success for PSU hoops

Since everything has been said during this virus-extended offseason about the latest opener in the modern era of Penn State football — the 1887 team (PSU’s first) opened Nov. 5 — my usual pre-game column will shift today. Besides, there was a bigger Penn State story this week with the sudden resignation of Nittany Lion basketball coach Patrick Chambers. Chambers went 148-150 in nine seasons, and under his watch, Penn State beat 18 ranked teams, the most of any previous coach. He had his moments, certainly, and it was most unfortunate that this year’s team, led by star Lamar ...

Sports lost a real hero, role model

One thing that surprised a lot of folks when I was sports editor was my attitude toward a lot of sports. I watched very few NFL or Major League Baseball games. I really didn’t care for the NBA at all. I watched hockey in postseason. It was different at the lower levels. The Hershey Bears are an ingrained part of our family. I love going to Spikes games in State College. High school sports were always the best to me, and what I miss most from my new seat in the newsroom. In 1993, Charles Barkley famously — infamously? — declared that he was not a role model. People got mad at ...

Suk: How to safely exercise at home

With gyms and fitness centers temporarily closing their doors and more people staying home in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many have found themselves looking to start a new workout routine at home. But without the access to trained professionals or ability to attend an in-person class, many of us no longer have someone to watch our form and make corrections or adjustments that help prevent injury. It’s important that you continue to live an active life while practicing physical distancing. But there are some key things you can do to make sure you don’t hurt yourself during an ...

Whisler: Locals are recognized in insert

Without a spring sports season, many high school and college athletes have been left with nothing to show for the hard work that they had put in during the offseason months. In an effort to acknowledge the athletes that have continued to find success in The Sentinel’s coverage area in high school and at the next level, The Sentinel has put together the 2020 Sentinel Sports Showcase, to recognize athletes that have signed to participate at the next level, as well as some of those athletes that have already found success in college. In the past few weeks, with the help of Kyle ...