IUP didn’t let its disappointing loss to Slippery Rock last week end its hopes for a great season. The Crimson Hawks came out on fire on their way to scoring 59 points. What was most impressive to me was IUP’s rushing attack, which rolled up 370 yards. IUP needs to run the table to get a chance to make the playoffs. They should beat Gannon at home easily next week. November is shaping up as a big one for IUP.
• There’s nothing like a White-Out at Penn State. It’s one of the greatest settings in all of college football. My nephew was lucky enough to be among the nearly 111 thousand people for this annual spectacle. Penn State looked great early when they raced out to a 21-0 lead, but they had to hang on for the win. I thought Michigan was the much better team in the second half. I honestly felt that Penn State was going to blow it. The Nittany Lions remain undefeated, but I don’t consider them as one of the elite teams in college football. They’ll get another stiff test at always tough Michigan State next week. Should be another classic.
• Pitt is coming on. The Panthers picked up a nice road win in Syracuse. That’s been a tough place to play for Pitt. Don’t look now, but the Panthers have won four in a row. They’re getting better, but still have a long way to go. They host Miami, a team that isn’t what it used to be, next week. Should be another close game.
• The Steelers had their much needed week off. It came at the right time for this team. Mason Rudolph has now been cleared to play and will get his starting quarterback job back. Let’s be clear about this, Duck Hodges is a great story but there was no way he was going to remain the starter once Rudolph got the green light from the Steelers’ doctors. Rudolph and the Steelers have their next three games at home, where they have a chance to rack up some wins. They host the horrible Miami Dolphins next Monday night. Bet ESPN isn’t thrilled about that match-up now. If the Steelers are going to make their move they must win these next three games. I’m looking forward to seeing if this team can salvage its season.
• The Pens managed to win five straight games despite all of their injuries. I find that remarkable. Give Mike Sullivan and his staff a lot of credit for getting this team where they are despite all the games lost to injury. It looked like the injuries finally caught up to the Pens on Saturday night when they fell at home to Vegas. Evgeni Malkin is skating again. Hopefully he returns in the next few weeks. The Pens sure need him. In the meantime, the Penguins just need to tread water and hang in there.
• It was nice seeing Pens’ legend Marc Andre Fleury return to Pittsburgh. He will go down as an all-time great Penguin. Fleury looked great in shutting out the Pens. I strongly believe that Fleury is cementing his Hall of Fame career in Vegas. He had a strong case for what he did in Pittsburgh. Now that he’s taken Vegas to a Cup final and continues to win, I believe he’s a shoo-in to make it to Toronto.
• Stubby Clapp is in the running to be the next manager of our Pittsburgh Pirates. Should he get the job, the Yinzers will have a field day.
• You gotta love the baseball playoffs. I thought the Houston Astros were in deep trouble when they gave up a tying home run in the ninth inning of Game Six against the Yankees. I loved it when Jose Altuve homered to give the Stros the pennant. I don’t like the Yankees and have a soft spot in my heart for the Astros after seeing so many of their games when I lived in Baton Rouge. It’s now the Astros vs the Washington Nationals for baseball’s top prize. Gerrit Cole has been lights out for Houston on the mound. I like Cole and company to win it all again for the second time in three years. I’m taking Houston in six.
