Boston College vs. Penn State: 5 Big Pinstripe Bowl Questions With Victory Bell Rings
By Joe Micik
Nov 29, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) scrambles during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Michigan State defeated Penn State 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
When it’s Boston College vs. Penn State on Saturday in the Pinstripe Bowl, Eagles fans will have many questions on their minds.
Boston College Eagles
Fortunately, there are those out there on the Nittany Lions side of things who can help us expand our collective knowledge prior to the game. We reached out to Barry Leonard, Jr, the managing editor of Victory Bell Rings, the successful FanSided network site dedicated to Penn State Athletics.
We had to go the obvious route and ask about how the football program is coping with the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal three years on, but we also asked about general issues related to how the Lions have played this season and how they think they stack up in this contest.
Boston College vs. Penn State: 5 Big Questions — #5
Q: For two teams that never played in the same conference, Boston College and Penn State have a good amount of established history. Clearly, the Pinstripe Bowl organizers thought this game would be good for Northeast football, and it’s showing in ticket sales. On the Penn State side, what are your impressions of the setting and the opponent? Are you pleased with where you ended up and with whom?
BL: Penn State has a huge following and a large alumni base in the New York area. Facing off against Boston College is a great matchup because both are Northeast programs that will bring fans to the stadium. Plus, fans like to see a matchup with teams that are not regular opponents. It’s been a number of years since the Nittany Lions and Eagles last met.
Sure, when Penn State became bowl eligible, there were hopes of going somewhere warm. But when it became clear that a destination like Florida was out of the picture, New York was the next best option.
Everyone I’ve heard and talked to is thrilled with the location of the Pinstripe Bowl. It will allow more Penn State fans to easily travel to the game. Aside from that, playing a game in Yankee Stadium will be pretty cool.
On the field, Boston College makes for a great opponent. Both teams sport tough defenses, and Penn State’s top-ranked run defense will certainly be challenged by the run game of the Eagles.