In this toothless episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we unpack the Nittany Lions' brutal 38-14 defeat at the hands of the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes on November 1st—dropping Penn State to 3-5 and intensifying the pressure in Happy Valley. Rich Scarcella from the Reading Eagle joins the show!

 

We start with a full recap of the loss: Key plays, defensive breakdowns, turnovers, and how the Buckeyes dominated from start to finish despite the score looking close at half. What went wrong, and is there any silver linings in this lopsided rivalry clash? Why couldn't the offense attack vertically?

 

Next, a heated debate on offensive playcalling—critiquing the conservative schemes, missed opportunities with Ethan Grunkemeyer, and why the run-pass balance failed against OSU's elite defense. Is it time for major changes? Interim HC Terry Smith says no major changes are imminent.

 

Then, we tackle your fan questions: From calls for coaching shakeups to player evaluations and bowl eligibility hopes—nothing's off-limits as we read and respond to the best submissions from the PSU faithful.

 

Finally, the latest on the coaching search amid swirling rumors about James Franklin's job security. Updates on frontrunners like Mike Elko's rising stock with TAMU success, Brian Hartline's recruiting magic, Jeff Brohm at Louisville, and Matt Rhule and Urban Meyer appearing to be off the list. Join hosts Cory Lestochi & Rich Scarcella for honest takes, close examinations, and a path forward for the program. Hit subscribe for more raw Penn State analysis, like if you're still believing in the Nittany Lions, and vent your frustrations in the comments!

 

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