Ben Roethlisberger vs. Browns Defense The Steelers aren’t the only team gambling on defensive schemes that employ a heavy dose of six-plus defensive backs. New Browns Head Coach, Mike Pettine, drafted corner Justin Gilbert in the first round to play alongside Joe Haden and Buster Skrine. With DT Phil Taylor and NT Ahtyba Rubin stuffing the middle, the Browns hope their linebacker group can stop the run enough to make the scheme work. Newly signed MLB Karlos Dansby provides a veteran presence ... Read More
Allen Rewarded With 4-Year Extension
Less than 24 hours before they will open the 2014 season at home against Cleveland, the Steelers have announced a four-year contract extension for defensive back Cortez Allen. The deal was first reported by Adam Schefter and, according to Ian Rapaport, is worth around $26 million. He is now under team control for the next five years, through the 2018 season. Allen was drafted by the team in the fourth round in the 2011 NFL Draft, making this his fourth season in black and gold. He will turn ... Read More
PSAC West Roundup: Week 1
IUP 41, SAINT AUGUSTINE'S 19 Three first quarter touchdowns would be all IUP would need to put away Saint Augustine's in the Crimson Hawks' season opener, winning, 41-19. Chase Haslett executed three scoring drives and threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter to give IUP a 21-0 lead after the first quarter and the Hawks never looked back, never trailing en route to the win. Stat leaders: IUP - PASSING: Chase Haslett - 14-20-1 176 yards 3 TDs; RUSHING: Luigi Lista-Brinza ... Read More
Penn State Grinds Out Home Opener
It was not an overwhelming or inspiring performance, but the Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0) defeated mid-major MAC conference opponent Akron (1-1) on Saturday in front of just over 97,000 fans in the Beaver Stadium opener. James Franklin made his home coaching debut after leading Penn State to a victory in Ireland last week to open the season, against Central Florida. Turnovers continued to be an issue for his team, but the scoreboard ultimately showed a 21-3 advantage for the home team in ... Read More
Week One Preview: Browns @ Steelers
Week One of any NFL season will always be chock full of storylines and, in most cases, optimism for competing for a championship. Never without high expectations, the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8 in 2013) aim to end a two-year playoff drought and break a streak of two consecutive 8-8 seasons. Opposing them at Heinz Field Sunday will be the Cleveland Browns, who are just looking for some respect and an upset to perhaps spark a season of improvement and optimism. The Browns have a new head coach ... Read More
Pitt’s ground game, Boyd continue to gain momentum
Following Pitt’s annihilation of Delaware last week, the Panthers took their show on the road and had their way with the Boston College Eagles in a 30-20 victory. Here are my takeaway points from Pitt’s first road win of the season: 1. James Conner is in beastmode. Who needs Rushel Shell when you have a guy like Conner? Conner carried the ball 36 times for 214 yards and one touchdown. The Eagles had no answer for him, and he ran over multiple defenders whenever he felt like it. The 250-pound, ... Read More
Pitt passes first ACC test of season; beats BC 30-20
After their impressive week one performance against FCS Delaware, many wondered how the Pitt Panthers would respond against better competition. Thanks to another impressive effort from their offense, Paul Chryst’s team passed that test as well, and did so on the road with a 30-20 victory over Boston College, Pitt’s first ACC victory of the season. Pitt running back James Conner had a 35-carry, 213-yard, one touchdown performance Friday night and Chad Voytik hit Tyler Boyd with a pair of ... Read More
Penn State Hosts Akron in Home Opener
James Franklin and the Penn State football program will open the 2014 home schedule at Beaver Stadium when the Akron Zips (1-0) of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) visit Saturday. Akron dismissed Howard University 41-0 in its opener last week, while the Nittany Lions return from Dublin, Ireland, where they slipped by Central Florida, 26-24 on a last-second game-winning field goal by Sam Ficken. That triumphant kick was made possible by a thrilling last-minute drive led by sophomore quarterback ... Read More
Robert Morris tandem could open up some eyes in NEC
The Robert Morris Colonials will look to get head coach John Banaszak his first victory on Saturday when they travel to North Dakota. Both teams will be looking for their first wins on the young season. The Colonials were downed by a very good Eastern Kentucky team, while ND fell victim to FBS member San Jose State. It was good for the Colonials to get the first one out of the way as a lot of their players were able to get their feet wet. Fourteen of the Colonials 22 starters were ... Read More
Wheeling Nailers sign two
The Wheeling Nailers continue to load up their roster for the 2014-15 season, recently adding two more bodies to the mix in center Jarrett Burton and defenseman Brendan Rempel. Burton, a 23-year old two-way center joined the Nailers at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season, after a four-year collegiate career at Clarkson University. He didn't see much ice time in Wheeling last season, but had a solid collegiate career. Burton scored 12 goals in 35 games as a junior, before scoring 11 goals ... Read More