Tom and Andy have a riveting discussion about Penn State's special teams, including the progress they made in last year, and how they hope the team will build on it this year. They also talk through the season ahead, noting the big games, major uncertainties, and huge expectations they have for the upcoming season.

From the Show:

Hugh Freeze coached Liberty against Syracuse from his hospital bed in 2019. They lost 24-0.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2019/08/31/hugh-freeze-hospital-bed-liberty-syracuse/2182312001/

Joe Paterno’s last game on the sidelines was on October 15th, 2011 against Purdue. Penn state won the game 23-18. Joe started the game on the sideline. Then went up to the press box at half time. He would never coach a game from the sidelines again. He was dealing with a hairline fracture in his hip from a sideline collision during warmups. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/6844675/joe-paterno-shoulder-hip-injured-sideline-collision-penn-state-nittany-lions-practice

JoePa’s 409th victory sealed with an Illinois missed FG as time expired with help from the student section in a snowy Beaver Stadium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGzGePvKbGs&feature=emb_logo

Special Teams:

Blake Gillikin: He was named a freshman All-American by ESPN. He was named as a first-team Academic All-American twice. He is only the 12th two-time Academic All-American in Penn State History. Gillikin's Academic All-America honor is the 67th for Nittany Lion football program, which ranks second in Division I football history (FBS and FCS). He was a rare two-time captain at Penn State, and won several team awards for his leadership. And he was named Big Ten Sportsman of the Year. He is also incredibly intelligent, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA in kinesiology. It’s like having a coach AND doctor on the field. Gillikin is the first Penn State punter to be named Academic All-American.

Joe Lorig, Special Teams Coordinator: "Number one we try to learn from other people's mistakes you know," Penn State special team's coordinator Joe Lorig said last week. "I put together a teach clip cut up every week for our guys and you know like we were gonna watch three today. Two from the Texas Tech Texas game, but you're seeing a lot of special teams mistakes across the country you know I think it's a product of not having spring football."

Jordan Stout: His 79.5% touchback rate was a program-best over the past 10 seasons.

His 12 touchbacks against Idaho in the opening game last season were due in large part to the fact that Penn State crushed the Vandals 79-7.

Punting hang-time: Punter Pat McAfee has the official unofficial longest hang-time at 5.6 seconds. 

Blake Gillikin helped Penn State beat Ohio State 24-21 in 2016. Without Blake Gillikin’s heads up play to take a safety on a bad snap, PSU might not have won the game.

Jake PineGARRRRRRR. You’ll start saying it too. 

Chris Stoll, Long Snapper awarded scholarship (video): https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2020/10/9/21510129/penn-state-long-snapper-chris-stoll-awarded-scholarship

Season...