UNIVERSITY PARK - Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's Blue-White Game Saturday at Beaver Stadium, won by the Blue, 17-3:
Play of the game: Near the end of what was a very spotty day for offensive execution, true freshman Paul Jones lofted a nice pass to the back of the end zone, where redshirt frosh Shawney Kersey pulled it in and got his feet down for their second touchdown connection of the game.
Offensive player of the game: Jones went 5-for-8 for 67 yards and two TDs.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec
The Blue’s Derek Moye catches a pass in traffic as the White’s Mike Wallace (14), Bani Gbadyu (15) and Chris Colasanti defend.
Defensive player of the game: Nate Stupar made six solo tackles, assisted on another, made one stop for a 3-yard loss and returned an interception 24 yards.
Most telling statistic: The two likeliest candidates to be the starting quarterback in the season opener against Youngstown State - Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin - were 15-of-35 passing with no touchdowns, two interceptions and were sacked four times.
Most deceiving statistic: Graham Zug and Russell Nye averaged 43.5 yards in their six punts, but that was inflated by Nye's 69-yard boot and the fact that none of the low, line-drive punts were fielded and were allowed to roll.
Hidden statistic: With so much attention on the quarterbacks, receivers and freshman running back Silas Redd, redshirt freshman running back Curtis Dukes quietly combined for 60 yards rushing-receiving behind the second-team offensive line.
Best run: On his first carry, early-entree freshman Silas Redd looked very elusive, weaving his way for a 16-yard gain.
Best pass: One play after Cody Castor intercepted a deflected pass and returned it to the White 18, freshman Jones tossed a picture-perfect fade pass to Kersey for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Worst pass: A number of candidates, but McGloin would have had a long touchdown pass to Curtis Drake had he thrown the ball to the corner. Instead, his pass went inside, and he was fortunate it wasn't picked off by Stephen Obeng-Agyapong.
Best catch: Derek Moye bobbled but held onto a high McGloin pass just before being hit by three White defenders for a 12-yard gain and a first down.
Catch it, will ya: Brett Brackett got himself wide open for McGloin's second pass of the game but dropped a pass that would have given the White team a first down at midfield.
Hold it, won't ya: Chaz Powell, who moved over from receiver to defensive back, stepped in front of a McGloin throw but couldn't hang onto a potential 90-yard interception return.
Best call: Newsome looked very shaky on his first series but he settled down after getting to complete an easy screen pass to Stephfon Green his next time on the field. He completed his next two passes for 27 yards.
Worst call: None worth noting.
Best block: Nick Sukay sprung Nate Stupar for about a dozen extra yards on an interception return of a McGloin pass in the second quarter.
Best tackle: Converted safety Gerald Hodges came from his outside linebacker spot to bring down Curtis Drake for a 1-yard loss on a receiver screen.
Best hit: Bani Gbadyu sized up and leveled an unsuspecting Garry Gilliam coming over the middle on the third-quarter reception.
Worst tackle: There were no glaring misses or broken tackles that weren't the result of a slick move or extra effort by the ballcarrier.
Best kick: Collin Wagner connected on a 46-yard field goal to open the scoring.
Worst kick: Pick your punt: Only one of the six had any real hang time and Zug's second only traveled 29 yards. Backup place-kicker David Soldner also missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.
Best decision: Letting the clock run on normal stoppages to get the game over by 4 p.m.
Worst decision: Early in the third quarter, McGloin threw a pass into a sea of Blue defenders and had it picked off by James Van Fleet.
Best effort: McGloin did a great job eluding the rush and keeping several plays alive. Midway through the third quarter, he dodged three defenders and dumped a pass off to Dukes just before reaching the line of scrimmage to convert a fourth-and-1 with a 23-yard pickup.
Unsung hero: Kevion Latham was only credited with one sack, but the junior-to-be defensive end from Greensboro, N.C., spent much of the game in the offensive backfield, forcing scrambles and quick deliveries.
