Penn State looking for physical push from OL

STATE COLLEGE » Penn State coach James Franklin has noticed a personality trait shared by his offensive linemen: They’re all nice guys.

Franklin hopes they can find a collective mean streak when the No. 16 Nittany Lions (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten, No. 14 CFP) host Rutgers (45, 3-3) on Saturday.

Penn State could use a strong performance up front to get its sluggish running game going, snap a two-game skid and stay alive for a New Year’s Six bowl game.

“I think it’s just a mentality more than anything,” Franklin said. “I think sometimes we’re happy with just blocking the guy as well as we think we need to to get the job done, rather than sending a message and trying to finish a guy and pancake blocks and things like that.”

Penn State’s chances to play for the national championship almost certainly slipped away with losses to Ohio State and Michigan State, in which an often explosive offense became one-dimensional. A lack of push up front slowed Heisman Trophy candidate Saquon Barkley, who had just 107 combined rushing yards against the Buckeyes and Spartans. Barley’s 15-game touchdown streak ended in East Lansing, too.

The ground game has suffered without starting left tackle Ryan Bates, who was hurt against Ohio State and hasn’t played since. He wasn’t listed on Penn State’s depth chart released Tuesday.

Recent struggles aside, the line has paved the way for three games of more than 200 rushing yards. The Scarlet Knights offer a favorable matchup, too. They’ve allowed a combined 780 rushing yards in their last three games.

“These guys have done this,” Franklin said. “I’ve seen them do it. But they’ve kind of, I think, just been satisfied with what we’ve been doing, and I think for us to go where we want to go, we’ve got to take the next step.”