STEELERS POINTED IN RIGHT DIRECTION

The Steelers looked a heck of a lot better in their home opener than they did in the season opener in Cleveland. They are nowhere near where they need to be on offense, but sure took a step forward against the Vikings. Le’Veon Bell looked much better, and he will certainly get even better as he gets into football shape and has more contact. Plus, you had to like how Martavis Bryant became a factor in the passing game. He is the target that Ben Roethlisberger didn’t have last year. The Steelers would like to score 30 points a game. They’ve failed to do that in the opening two games, but they are on the right track.
• The Steelers’ defense has been really good in the opening two games. They were a sack machine in Cleveland in Week One. The Steelers only had two sacks against the Vikings, but were in the backfield for much of the day. The run defense was also very solid. Great effort by this defense through two games.
• It was nice to see the Steelers salute the late Dan Rooney at the season opener. Rooney was the man who convinced his father, the late Art Rooney, to run the Steelers like a business and hire Chuck Noll. The rest is history. The Steelers have dedicated this season to this legend. Wouldn’t it be great if it ends with a seventh Super Bowl title?
• IUP had a cake walk against Cheyney, which was hardly a surprise. It was really warm at Miller Stadium, and the Hawks were really hot. Lenny Williams looks like he is healthy and his play is getting better and better after coming back from a serious knee injury. It’s pretty obvious that the Crimson Hawks have the makings of a special team. The showdown with California on October 7th will be the game of the year.
• Penn State rolled over Georgia State with little trouble. The Nittany Lions have so many weapons on offense and they are using them. It’s scary to see all the play makers James Franklin has at his disposal. The Lions open their Big Ten schedule at Iowa. On paper you have to like the Lions. Still, it won’t be easy, especially on the road. Iowa, under Kirk Ferentz, have given Penn State fits over the years. I wouldn’t be surprised if they give Penn State a real battle under the lights again this year, although I expect the Lions to win.
• Pitt fans can’t be too happy these days. The Panthers were pulverized at home against explosive Oklahoma State. Pitt gave up 49 points in the first half alone, and the few fans who showed up at Heinz Field were long gone by the time the rout was over. Pitt could be in for a rough year. I wonder if any Panthers’ fans will be around to watch them by the time the season is over?
• You gotta love college football. The ending of Florida vs Tennesee was a classic with the Gators winning on an improbably Hail Mary on the final play of the game. What a great win for Florida and a devastating loss for the Tennessee. I also stayed up for the USC-Texas game that ended well after midnight. USC tied it in the final seconds after Texas had taken the lead in the final minute, and then won it in overtime. What a game!
• Indiana High is in for a rough year. The Indians fell apart at Blackhawk over the weekend and are now 0-3. The schedule doesn’t get any easier as Indiana plays three of its next four on the road. Up next is New Castle, which will be a very tough opponent for Indiana.
• The Pirates clinched another losing season over the weekend. That’s 23 losing seasons in the last 26 years for this team. Just when it looked like the Pirates were turning things around a couple of years ago, the franchise is now on the slide again. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for selling tickets for the 2018 Pirates.