2016 Blue White Preview
PODCAST
ComRadio's own Alissa Devine, Eric Ohlson and John Petrolias recap the 2015 Penn State football season and look ahead to the matchups in this weekend's spring game. Tune in to ComRadio at 12:00 for coverage of all the Blue White festivities.
Football is back this Saturday for the annual Blue White spring game, where the Penn State Nittany Lions fans, players, and coaches get a sneak peak at the 2016 football season.
Fans, players and coaches are anxiously awaiting the scrimmage in hopes of discovering the next Hackenberg, finding a force like Carl Nassib, and hopefully catching a glimpse of what makes Saquon Barkley so great.
The defensive side saw many solid players on the defensive line depart after last season. With Nassib’s departure, Brent Pry, Penn State’s defensive coordinator, looks to find another dominating presence and maintain their dominance. Garret Sickels, a player who simply bleeds Blue and White, is the only remaining starter. Spectators should keep their eyes out for redshirt sophomore Torrence Brown, who plays like Anthony Zettel and creates a commanding presence on the field.
While the defensive ends are trying to maintain the production of Nassib, the defensive tackles are looking to rebuild. With the departure of Zettel and Austin Johnson, Penn State hopes to discover potential starters in Parker Cothren, Robert Windsor, Antoine White, and Kevin Givens. Windsor, White, and Givens are all relatively young and inexperienced, while Cothren, a junior, is struggling with an injury that may have him sitting out of the spring game. Penn State’s safeties, linebackers, and cornerbacks sit comfortably with strength, depth, and returning starters.
On the offensive side of the ball for the Nittany Lions, they face questions in their quarterback and offensive line core. Everyone will be extremely interested to see the production and play at the quarterback position this Saturday because of Hackenberg’s departure for the NFL Draft. Trace McSorley and Tommy Stevens will most likely start for the opposing teams because they are both vying for the starting position in the regular season. The Blue and White faithful may even see production from two-time state title winning quarterback, Jake Zembiec.
Penn State is utilizing this scrimmage to fill holes, especially with regards to the offensive line and its past inconsistency. Currently only one starting spot is locked up by Andrew Nelson at right tackle, while the other positions are wide open for players like Brendan Mahon and Paris Palmer or even rookies like true freshman Michal Menet. While Menet will not join the team until the summer, spectators should expect to see the likes of Mahon, Palmer, Derek Dowrey, Chasz Wright, and Noah Beh. Penn State’s bright spots are seemingly their receivers and running backs.
While the Blue Team has historically taken care of business, the Penn State Nittany Lions and their faithful always celebrate a victory to carry the good feeling into next fall.
Every Blue and White faithful should come out for the festivities this Saturday at Beaver Stadium for a sunny 2 p.m. kickoff.
Madeleine Balestrier is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email mrb5883@psu.edu.