Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/141859
p e n n s t a t e ( c o n t i n u e d ) arships. They'll be relying heavily on 2012 RESULTS 2013 SCHEDULE DateGame (8-4 overall, 6-2 Big Ten, 2nd Leaders) freshmen due to weakened upper- DateOpponent Results 8/31 vs. Syracuse* 9/1OHIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L, 14-24 9/7 classmen ranks and walk-ons, or as 9/8 at Virginia . . . . . . . . . . L, 16-17 9/14 E. MICHIGAN CENTRAL FLORIDA W, 34-7 O'Brien calls them, "run-ons," since 9/15NAVY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W, 24-13 9/21 KENT STATE 10/5 at Indiana 9/22TEMPLE 9/29 at Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . W, 35-7 10/12MICHIGAN they're needed to play. 10/6NORTHWESTERN . . . W, 39-28 10/26 at Ohio State "If they can't stay healthy, they're 10/20 at Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . W, 38-14 11/2ILLINOIS 10/27 OHIO STATE . . . . . . . . L, 23-35 11/9 at Minnesota done," Bauer said. "The difference 11/3 at Purdue . . . . . . . . . . . W, 34-9 11/16PURDUE 11/10 at Nebraska . . . . . . . . . L, 23-32 11/23NEBRASKA between the first and second string 11/17INDIANA . . . . . . . . . . W, 45-22 11/30 at Wisconsin * MetLife Stadium, East is the biggest the program has ever 11/24WISCONSIN . . . W, 24-21 (OT) Rutherford, New Jersey seen, at every position. "But the first string is still as talented, if not more so, than a lot of the here on out. The defense was strong last seateams they've had." son but will presumably badly miss Despite sanctions, O'Brien has recruited very well, underscored by Mauti and Hodges at linebacker and the signing of elite quarterback re- desperately lacks depth. "The days of (former defensive cruit Christian Hackenberg, who coordinator) Tom may have the inside TOM'S TAKE track to start from "Bill O'Brien wowed us all by Bradley and Penn State giving up 14Day 1. squeezing eight wins out of 17 points per game " H a c k e n b e r g the Nittany Lions in 2012. For are probably over," is going to start," his next act, O'Brien must Bauer said, "and if manage a roster that has just Bauer said, "but they now have an he doesn't it would 67 scholarship players. The mean that (junior front-line talent is very good, offense that's going to put more points college transfer) Tybut injuries could be ruinon the board." ler Ferguson had a ous." That offense, led great summer. — Tom Dienhart, Big Ten by McGloin a year "It'll be a huge Network ago, helped the challenge for a Nittany Lions stave freshman to start off the collapse so in the Big Ten, especially with Bill many expected right away in 2012. O'Brien's offensive complexities." And Penn State might have O'Brien's brought an entirely new offensive identity to Penn State with enough returning to squeeze out anhis pass-oriented pro-style offense, other winning season. But it might only be a matter of which the Nittany Lions will rely on time before the severity of the situto win games from ation takes its toll. t "You're playing under different en's eigh B l O'Bri oteearilwere the most by rules now," Bauer said, "and at Of N first y in the some point, it's going to set in." nn State ins in his w Pe on coach at Paterno w first-year a — Brian Neubert . Joe 's history program in 1966. first year ve in his fi Who's in Charge? COACH BILL O'BRIEN Record at Penn State: 8-4 (one season) Record vs. Purdue: 1-0 Bottom Line: The former NFL coordinator was dubbed a genius of sorts after guiding Penn State to an 8-4 season in the wake of massive NCAA penalties. It gets more challenging now, as the effects of scholarship reductions are felt more and more. Considering the circumstances, O'Brien will be subject to NFL speculation every year. Need More O Top 3 lowest percentages of total offense returning in Big Ten Purdue 33.2% Iowa 48.7% Penn State 53.7% Early line vs. Purdue: PSU -11 GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com Gold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 • 107