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 RUTGERS (4-5, 3-3) AT NO. 16 PENN ST. (7-2, 4-2) TV: Saturday, noon, Big Ten Line: Penn State by 31. SERIES: Penn State leads 25-2. WHAT’S AT STAKE: The Nittany Lions can snap a two-game skid and stay in the hunt for a New Year’s Six spot with a win. They’ll need chaos elsewhere to keep any playoff hope alive. The Scarlet Knights have won three of four, but still have not been competitive against the top teams in the Big Ten East — like Penn State. KEY MATCHUP: Penn State’s offensive line versus Rutgers’ defense. The Scarlet Knights will likely load up to stop RB Saquon Barkley as other teams have done. The Heisman Trophy contender has rushed for just 69 yards per game over the last five as blocking hasn’t been consistent. After being called out by their coach this week, Penn State’s front five will look to outmuscle a Rutgers defense that’s allowed 780 rushing yards in its last three. PLAYERS TO WATCH Rutgers: RB Gus Edwards. The Miami transfer ran for 109 yards on 21 carries against Maryland and also caught a go-ahead, 23-yard touchdown pass. With WR Janarion Grant banged up, Edwards is the team’s biggest weapon. Penn State: WR DeAndre Thompkins. Rutgers punter Ryan Anderson has put a lot of air under his punts and is flipping field position for his team with a 43.9 average. Thompkins is sixth among FBS players with 16.19 yards per punt return and depends on booming punts to create space. 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.”