PSU can finish with a flourish
A win likely gets Lions into a bowl
Penn State enters a game Saturday against Illinois with an opportunity to finish the 2020 season with four consecutive wins. The Nittany Lions (3-5) are heavy favorites against an Illini team that fired its coach after a loss to Northwestern. The Illini also will miss its best receiver, Josh Imatorbhebhe, who declared Thursday for the NFL draft.
So it’s all going right for the Nittany Lions now. But less than a month ago Penn State was 0-5. Winning four games would be an incredible finish to a season that started with a disastrous losing streak. Here’s what the Nittany Lions will need to do to keep winning.
It starts up front
The Penn State offensive line allowed three sacks combined against Michigan, Rutgers and Michigan State. They won those games. In the losses against Indiana, Ohio State, Maryland, Nebraska and Iowa, the Nittany Lions allowed 20 sacks.
Starting quarterback Sean Clifford is a better passer when the pocket is clean. Backup Will Levis has more room to run and maybe throw when the offensive line is dominating.
Head coach James Franklin discussed the improvement on the line this week.
“In terms of protecting the quarterback in sacks, I think it’s a combination of things. I think it’s our ability to run the ball better. I think it’s our playaction pass,” Franklin said. “I think it’s us using the RPO [run-pass option].
“I think it’s us staying on schedule a little bit better in terms of being productive on first and second down, creating more manageable third down situations. I think it’s a combination of all those things.”
Run the ball
Devyn Ford missed last week’s game with an undisclosed injury, leaving the Nittany Lions with freshmen running backs Caziah Holmes and Keyvone Lee. Franklin gave Lee the start, but he struggled at times. Levis and Clifford both outgained Lee, and the Nittany Lions had just 119 rushing yards against the Spartans. Three yards per carry isn’t good enough for Penn State.
Luckily for Penn State, the Illini allowed over 400 yards against Northwestern last week. If Ford is out or limited again, the Nittany Lions will need Lee to return to the form he showed against Rutgers and Michigan. He ran for 134 yards against Michigan and 95 yards against the Scarlet Knights.
Stay ready
If you thought the Nittany Lions have red-zone struggles, you should meet Illinois. The Illini has 10 touchdowns in 24 possessions — and only eight touchdown passes. It should be easy Saturday, right?
But who knows how the Illini will play? A new coach could mean the players will have extra motivation. Or it could mean they’re coming in feeling busted and disgusted. Either way, it’s up to Penn State to set the tone.
The Nittany Lions are the better team. A win validates the season and likely gets the Nittany Lions a bowl invitation. A loss will cause questions that Franklin would prefer not deal with during a pivotal offseason.
“We have to be ready for everything. We have to be ready for more going for it on fourth down,” Franklin said. “We have to be ready for them to maybe pressure more than they’ve pressured on the defensive side of the ball. Maybe more Cover Zero. Then on special teams, take punts, onside kicks to open the game, things like that we have to be ready for in this type of game.”