By Tim Blasco

Penn State University had their Blue and White Football Game Saturday April 18, 2015. The Blue and White game is a chance for fans, recruits, players and coaches to celebrate the end of the Spring Practice season in addition to showcasing Varsity and Underclassmen Talent. The Blue Team showed talent in several areas except for the Offensive Line on both sides which will need a lot of work before Penn State’s meeting with Temple September 5th.

Penn State’s Blue Team opened the up the opening drive with a 22 yd Touchdown run by RB Akeel Lynch at 11:41. Later culminated with a Field Goal Kick in the Second Quarter by K Chris Gulla. The White Team was able to squeeze a 51 yd Touchdown run in by RB Nick Scott to even the odds to 10-7 Blue Team in the Third Quarter. Early in the Fourth Quarter WR Saeed Blacknall hauled in the final score of the game to complete the scoring at 17-7. With a running clock the game was short but a lot can still be said.

RB Akeel Lynch ran for 55 yards and 1 TD in the Blue and White Game Saturday.

There was no doubt about it, from the press box to the field the defense looks good. Even on Scott’s 51 yd run it was contended that DT Anthony Zettel simply let Scott go instead of creaming him in the backfield. However there were 10 other players who missed him for the next 51 yards of pay dirt. Besides that play the Defensive Line and secondary on both sides looked spectacular. QB Christian Hackenberg was sacked 5 times by a Defensive Line that looked tough, and they were only the underclassmen. Evan Schwan did some damage for the White Team and even got mentioned in the post game press conference by Coach Franklin. Other notables on the Defensive Line were DT Tarow Barney (White Team), DT Parker Cothran (White Team), DE Garret Sickels (Blue Team), and DE Evan Schwan (White Team).

DE Evan Schwan

With a Defensive Line that shows so much promise there is possibly some promise for the Offensive Line. The Defensive Line may be able to put some skill and capability into them by this September. Defensive Coordinator Bob Shoop even mentioned this summer being a culpable saving grace for an Offensive Line that needs all the help it can get. He mentioned film sessions and practices where the Defensive Linemen could help push the Offensive Line into a better stance all puns intended.

Offensive Lineman Brendan Mahon

The biggest missing piece was LB Nayeem Whartman from the Blue Team. Coach Franklin evaded questions about his injuries saying that the Spring Practice Session provides plenty of time for recovery but some players could not go un-noticed. QB Trace McSorley wasn’t even dressed for the game, some whispers mention possible bad behavior but no rumors have been confirmed.

The biggest hole for the Lions is the Offensive Line but Kicking is also a big hole. K Sam Ficken will be at the NFL Draft on May 2 so former US National Soccer Player and son of Harrisburg Heat star Larry Julius, K Joey Julius looks to make the start as a true freshman. Although comparisons have been made of him to Sebastian Janikowski since both are former soccer players and both played at and average of 250 lbs.

Saturdays game offered up a few fresh glances and even more fun for a loyal fan base. The free admission and parking offered by Penn State drew over 68,000 people. Fans came from all over the world to witness the beginning of a promising 2015 season. Coach Franklin has a lot of work to do, but after Saturday its all on the players to do the work.