A Season With Penn State...

[Trojan32]

A Season with Penn State Football…


As a kid growing up in Southern California, KC Duane was immersed in football.

His father Pete was a long time high school football coach who collected two state AA titles. His older brother JD was a standout linebacker who was weighing options in the PAC12.

Unfortunately, JD never got to play college football. The 6’4” 246 pound man-child who could run like a deer and hit like a truck was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after graduating. Although JD survived the battle, the intense treatment he underwent never allowed him to play football again.

Young KC knew the game just as much as his brother but he didn’t have the physical skill set to match. At 5’10” and 225 pounds, KC walked on at Idaho were he eventually earned a scholarship and wound up starting at fullback by his junior year.

With no pro offers on the table after graduating from Idaho, KC turned to coaching as a Grad Assistant at his alma mater. From there, it was a promotion to Running Backs coach, then an appointment as the Vandals Offensive Coordinator in 2013.

Then in 2014, KC was called into a meeting with the school’s President and AD. After a winless season KC thought it was the end of his time in Idaho. In fact, it was the start of a journey.

He was offered the Head Coaching job at Idaho. The administration saw something in Duane’s work ethic, his knowledge of the game and his ability to connect to people.

That faith was rewarded with a 5-7 season and then a follow up 7-6 campaign in 2015. KC Duane’s star was rising and in 2016, Wake Forrest saw the same thing that the folks at Idaho did – a young rising star in the coaching ranks.

Duane would remain at Wake Forrest for eight seasons, slowly building up the program’s prestige and ranking which culminated in a 2023 Orange Bowl victory over USC and a #7 final ranking.

But Duane’s career was still ascending, with its program in taters, Penn State would seek out Duane and lure him to Pennsylvania in 2024. The Nittany Lions were a ‘sleeping giant’ as Duane stated at his introductory press conference. It was a sleeping giant that would awaken under Duane.

Within five years, the Nittany Lions were in the BCS title game – losing to Notre Dame by a 30-24 margin. They would return in 2031, this time annihilating North Carolina by a 55-17 margin. Many started to talk about a ‘Saban-like’ dynasty but as the old saying goes, ‘that’s easier said than done’’

In 2032, a loss to an 0-6 Maryland team buried Penn State in the polls, and despite a 12-1 season, there was no BCS title game although 38-20 win over USC in the Rose Bowl to secure a 13-1 record would help ease the pain.

In 2033, the Nittany Lions returned to the National Championship as an 8 point favorite against Air Force. But an offense that sputtered all year long was finally exposed as the Falcons walked away with a 25-15 win.

Now it’s 2034. What’s in store for the Nittany Lions? We’re about to find out…

[Trojan32]

KC DUANE Head Coaching Record

2014 IDAHO (5-7)
2015 IDAHO (7-6)
2016 WAKE FORREST (8-5) Won Little Caeser's Bowl (WF 30 Kent St 10)
2017 WAKE FORREST (8-5)
2018 WAKE FORREST (7-6) Won Advocate V100 Bowl (WF 41 New Mex St 17)
2019 WAKE FORREST (8-5) Won Belk Bowl (WF 28 South Alabama 22)
2020 WAKE FORREST (4-8)
2021 WAKE FORREST (7-6) Won Music City Bowl (WF 31 Tennessee 10)
2022 WAKE FORREST (7-6) Won Military Bowl (WF 35 Bowling Green 17)
2023 WAKE FORREST (10-4)ACC Champs, Won Orange Bowl (WF 28 USC 13)
2024 PENN ST (7-6)
2025 PENN ST (8-5) Won Heart of Dallas Bowl (PSU 52 Tulsa 21)
2026 PENN ST (11-3) Won Capital One Bowl (PSU 21 Alabama 14)
2027 PENN ST (13-1) B10 Champs, LOST BCS (ND 30 PSU 24)
2028 PENN ST (11-3) Won Capital One Bowl (PSU 24 Alabama 10)
2029 PENN ST (10-3) Won Sugar Bowl (PSU 44 Georgia 31)
2030 PENN ST (12-2) B10 Champs
2031 PENN ST (14-0) B10 Champs, BCS CHAMPIONS (PSU 55 N Carolina 17)
2032 PENN ST (13-1) B10 Champs, Won Rose Bowl (PSU 38 USC 20)
2033 PENN ST (12-2) B10 Champs, LOST BCS (AF 25 PSU 15)
2034 PENN ST (14-0) B10 Champs, BCS CHAMPIONS (PSU 23 Florida 10)

[claybomb]

Will you be doing Week by week updates? Glad to see your great dynasty in a thread of its own.

[Trojan32]

Quote: Originally Posted by claybomb

Will you be doing Week by week updates? Glad to see your great dynasty in a thread of its own.

Thanks! And yes, there will be week-by-week updates. I'm going to try this for a year and see how it goes. Seems pretty time consuming but others claim that it aids in terms of immersion. I'm not a whiz at graphics and stuff but we'll try to spice it up here and there!

[Trojan32]

penn state.jpg

2034 PENN STATE PREVIEW

Offense
Quarterback:
The Nittany Lions have depth at the QB position. What they don’t have is a definitive starter. Senior James Baldwin has all the skills to be the team’s #1 quarterback but a back injury all but wiped out his 2033 season. Junior Mike Watson, who saw six starts after Madsen was lost in last year’s opener, has the best arm of all candidates but lacks the vision to capitalise on it. Senior Jason Shuler is an enigma. He has a great skill set but just fails to produce when it matters most. Madsen should get the first crack.


Running Back:
Again, the Nittany Lions have no definitive starter. Junior Dan Reid rushed for over 500 yards as a freshman but failed to follow up last year. Highly touted Sophomore Monroe Lundy and his power running game have been a disappointment. Junior Threston Kennedy has a point to prove after being suspended by the NCAA for the 2033 season for “academic improprieties” and could surprise. Senior Tazwell Smith and Freshman Tim Griffin provide depth.

Offensive Line:
A unit that was good but not championship calibre returns four starters. Senior right tackle Kevin Cruz will be looked upon to anchor the line. The powerful run blocker is a pre-season All-American and a projected first round pick. Over at left tackle Vashon McNeal is being pushed by sophomore Jake Hollis and highly touted freshman Joseph Nelson. Center Aaron Hall, a junior, is trying to hold off 5 star recruit Mark Gunn while at guard incumbent juniors Bryant Graves and Patrick Murray are expected to be pushed by the #1 ranked guard in the ’33 high school class – Marques Curry.

Wide Receivers:
This group is thin with three starters gone from last year’s team. Senior J’waun Murphy will be looked to lead the group while big things are expected from junior Terrance Hairston, who showed off great athleticism when the ball was thrown to him. After that, it’s expected that junior Stevie Smith and sophomore Marcus Whitlock are expected to gain PT. At tight end, senior Tykiem Moore will be a primary target with sophomore Anthony Sims being groomed to take over.


Defense
Defensive Line:
Gone is all time sacks leader Josh Wilson, who set a team record with 16 sacks in a single season in 2033 and set the tone for a defense that scored seven touchdowns. There is still plenty to work with though. Defensive end will see rotation of juniors Will Mullins, Mike Flanagan and Mark Jackson as well as sophomore Otis Mayo. At tackle, seniors Chase Smith and Bentram Sullivan will be a force with sophomore Richard Breedlove and two freshman in Malik Arnold and Quinton Nash providing reps. Arnold was the #1 ranked DT in the country and big things are expected from him down the road.

Linebackers:
With the team employing a 4-2-5 this year, this group has ample depth. Led by senior Ahmad Stanford at one spot, the other position will likely see a rotation of sophomore Kellen Smith (the younger brother of HB Tazwell Smith) and five star recruits Mario Boyd and Albert Ingram. Sophomores Omanteez Anderson and Zuberi Williams add depth while freshman Shiloh Austin has a bright future. Redshirt freshman Walt Williams III is the grandson of former MLB player Walt ‘No-Neck’ Williams.

Secondary:
You think that the loss of All-American corners Darryon Hill and Warren Weatherford would see this unit on the rebuild but it still boasts Thorpe Trophy winner Justin Scott at corner while fellow senior Cory Howard steps up to start at the other corner. Freshman Scott Hollins and sophomore Reggie Gray have great futures but both are inexperienced. After that quartet, there is a significant drop off in talent with converted fullback Cam Booth, who was miscast last year, and is now the team’s fifth corner on the depth chart. The safety position is in great hands with hard hitting sophomore Jon Jackson, and juniors Damien Ashley and Clint Brown in the fold. Waiting in the wings is the #1 recruit in country in Andrew Jackson, an exceptional athlete who will be used in certain packages.

Special Teams:
Senior All-American Tra Kennedy will handle field goals with junior Nic Harris handling the punting chores. Terrance Hairston has the potential to be one of the top kickoff return specialists in the country and could even spell Dan Reid on punt returns occasionally.

[Trojan32]

2034 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
#	OFFENSE	POS	HT	WT	CLASS	HOMETOWN
3	Jason Shuler	QB	6-3	222	SR(RS)	Landsdale, PA
5	James Madsen	QB	6-2	231	SR	Baldwin, PA
7	Mike Watson	QB	6-2	241	JR	Indiana, PA
8	Jarron Dukes	K	5-10	174	RS	Emmaus, PA
11	J'Wuan Murphy	WR	6-1	174	SR	Sayreville, NJ
13	Tra Parker	K/P	6-3	194	SR	Fort Washington, MD
16	Will Briggs	QB	6-1	185	SO(RS)	Danville, VA
19	Anthony Montgomery	QB	6-2	214	RS	Red Chute, LA
22	Monroe Lundy	HB	6-2	243	SO	Barre, VT
23	Bradley Wilson	HB	5-11	206	RS	Natchitoches, LA
24	Tim Griffin	HB	6-4	213	FR(RS)	Dunn Loring, PA
27	Tazwell Smith	HB	5-11	198	SR(RS)	Austin, MN
32	Threston Kennedy	HB	6-0	208	JR(RS)	Chambersburg, PA
35	Dan Reid	HB	6-3	195	JR	Sandusky, OH
36	Jason Flores	FB	5-10	243	FR	Butler, PA
45	Kevin Bernard	FB	6-3	257	FR	Dormont, PA
63	Brad Rush	G	6-3	315	SO(RS)	Easton, PA
64	Mark Gunn	C	6-1	260	FR	Perry, GA
65	Prince Dunlap	G	6-6	300	JR	Hermitage, PA
66	Lamarcus Carlton	C	6-3	336	JR(RS)	Berwick, PA
67	Vashon McNeal	T	6-8	315	SR	League City, TX
70	Patrick Murray	G	6-7	343	JR	Harahan, LA
71	Aaron Hall	C	6-3	315	JR(RS)	Hermitage, PA
72	Jake Hollis	T	6-7	334	SO	Bastrop, LA
74	Marques Curry	G	6-5	289	FR	Lakeland, FL
75	Kevin Cruz	T	6-4	294	SR(RS)	Dormont, PA
76	Joseph Nelson	T	6-8	280	FR	Paramus, NJ
78	Bryant Graves	G	6-1	313	JR	Shaker Heights, OH
80	Steven Swain	WR	6-1	211	SO	Radford, VA
81	Diontray Warren	WR	6-1	194	RS	Wilkes-Barre, PA
82	Terrance Hairston	WR	6-3	199	JR(RS)	Moncks Corner, SC
83	Travis Vaughn	WR	6-2	211	FR	St. Johnsbury, VT
85	Anthony Sims	TE	6-6	247	SO	Opp, AL
86	Marcus Whitlock	WR	6-1	204	SO(RS)	Mansfield, OH
87	Stevie Smith	WR	6-2	195	JR(RS)	Butler, PA
88	Antonio Stover	TE	6-6	249	JR	University Park, PA
89	Tykeim Moore	TE	6-5	234	SR	Vandalia, OH
#	DEFENSE	POS	HT	WT	CLASS	HOMETOWN
4	Otis Mayo	DE	6-3	264	SO	Medina, OH
6	Damien Ashley	SS	6-0	194	JR	Blacklick Estates, OH
9	Will Mullins	DE	6-5	240	JR	Bedford, OH
10	Nic Harris	P	6-3	255	JR(RS)	Columbia, PA
17	Jon Jackson	SS	6-1	189	SO	Fort Mill, SC
21	Scott Hollins	CB	6-2	175	FR(RS)	New Martinsville, VA
30	Reggie Gray	CB	5-10	186	SO	Seven Oaks, SC
33	Albert Ingram	LB	6-2	243	FR	Wrightsboro, NC
34	Cory Howard	CB	6-1	214	SR	Columbia, PA
37	Justin Scott	CB	5-11	178	SR	Brentwood, PA
38	Ben Taylor	CB	6-1	231	FR(RS)	Boone, NC
39	Will Cummings	CB	5-11	186	RS	Victoria, CA
44	Clint Brown	FS	6-0	188	JR(RS)	Kent, OH
46	Kellen Smith	LB	6-1	220	SO	Austin, MN
47	Cam Booth	CB	6-3	223	RS	Ashland, OH
48	Mike Flanagan	DE	6-4	250	JR	Loveland, OH
49	Andrew Jackson	FS	6-3	202	FR	Bayshore Gardens, FL
50	Shiloh Austin	LB	6-3	206	FR	Madison Heights, VA
52	Omanteez Anderson	LB	6-1	223	SO(RS)	Bessemer City, NC
53	Walt Williams III	LB	6-2	214	RS	Glen Allen, VA
55	Zuberi Williams	LB	6-3	232	SO(RS)	Darby Township, PA
56	Ahmad Stanford	LB	6-1	228	SR	West Chester, PA
90	Eric McLaurin	DE	6-1	254	RS	McKeesport, PA
91	Mahlik Arnold	DT	6-4	311	FR	Bradford, PA
92	William Jefferson	DE	6-6	251	FR(RS)	Murraysville, PA
93	Mark Jackson	DE	6-1	240	JR(RS)	Berwick, PA
94	Quinton Nash	DT	6-5	265	FR	East Orange, NJ
95	Bentram Sullivan	DT	6-0	291	SR	West Orange, NJ
96	Mario Boyd	LB	6-0	224	FR	Moundsville, NC
97	Chase Smith	DT	6-3	281	SR	Palm Bay, FL
98	Richard Breedlove	DT	6-6	304	SO(RS)	Whitehall, OH
99	Eli Bryant	DT	6-0	273	SR(RS)	Indiana, PA

[Trojan32]

Penn State Nittany Lions 2034 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Sep 2	at Temple
Sep 16	vs Notre Dame
Sep 23	at Tennessee
Sep 30	vs Wisconsin
Oct 7	at Nebraska
Oct 14	vs Maryland
Oct 21	at Rutgers
Oct 28	vs Nortwestern
Nov 4	at Michigan
Nov 11	at Ohio State
Nov 18	vs Michigan State
Nov 26	vs Indiana

The Nittany Lions 2034 schedule will feature three non-conference opponents including pre-season #2 Notre Dame. PSU Head Coach KC Duane will be looking for his first ever win against the Irish as he is 0-4 lifetime against them. Duane lost 45-10 to Notre Dame in 2019 while at Wake Forrest. The Irish defeated PSU 27-13 in 2024 while also beating PSU in the 2027 BCS Championship (30-24) and the 2030 Rose Bowl (43-14).

[Trojan32]

PENN STATE CRUSHES TEMPLE 43-0

Clippings from Coach Duane's post-game presser...

On the win...
"We played great on defence but offensively we have do a better job. In the 1st quarter, we had three drives stall inside Temple's ten and we had to settle for field goals."

On QB James Madsen performance...
"He looked good for the two quarters he was in there. Last year was a lost one for him and to see him healthy and throwing the ball so well is a real positive. James is capable of special things."

On CB Scott Hollins 77 yard pick six with :10 left in the half...
"That blew it open as we went up 23-0. Scott is just a freshman but he played that like a veteran, sitting in the flat and then jumping the out for a huge play."

On the 58 yard touchdown reception by J'Wuan Murphy...
"We usually don't like calling four verts but our OC - Coach Donovan - called for it and it was there. Great speed by J'Wuan."

On the shutout...
"Great job by the D today. Sullivan with three sacks, the Hollins pick six...the guys are really taking to Coach Hoffman's 4-2-5. To be honest, we've run the 4-3 everywhere I've been as our base but this 4-2-5 was a thing of beauty today."

Penn State Nittany Lions at Temple Owls
Jan 1, 1 2 3 4 F #1 PSU (0-0) 9 14 10 10 43 TEM (0-0) 0 0 0 0 0 Top Performers PASS: Madsen - 18-24, 275 YDS, 2 TD RUSH: Kennedy - 16 ATT, 60 YDS REC: Moore - 5 REC 68 YDS	Team Stats Comparison PSU TEM First Downs 22 9 3rd Down Efficiency 8-16 3-14 4th Down Efficiency 0-0 0-0 Total Yards 524 301 Passing Yards 300 135 Rushing Yards 132 4 Penalties-Penalty Yards 1-5 0-0 Turnovers 0 4 Time of Possession 28:31 11:29