Halfway home, Nittany Lions performing at A-minus level
Here’s the midseason report card for the 2021 Penn State football team:
Quarterbacks: Sean Clifford played very well through the first five games. He’s improved his completion percentage and his decision-making, even though he threw two interceptions at Iowa. After Ta’Quan Roberson replaced him at Iowa and looked overmatched, it’s clear that Clifford gives the Nittany Lions their best chance to win the rest of the way.
Grade: B.
Running backs: Penn State has alternated four running backs with little success. Keyvone Lee has been the best of the group with 204 yards and a 5.4 average. Noah Cain, however, has a 3.0 average on a team-high 67 carries. The Lions rank 11th in the Big Ten and 96th in the FBS in rushing, which is not acceptable.
Grade: C-.
Receivers: Former Nazareth star Jahan Dotson has been magnificent with 43 catches for 494 yards and six touchdowns and has not dropped one pass. Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith complement Dotson, but Penn State needs more production and better blocking from tight ends Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson. Grade: A-.
Offensive linemen: More was expected from a group that has three returning starters. The Lions rank in the middle of the Big Ten in scoring and total yards, but near the bottom in rushing with just 3.7 yards a carry. They’ve done a decent job of pass blocking with just nine sacks allowed in six games. With Clifford’s status iffy, the running game has to step up. Grade: C-.
Offense’s overall grade: B-. Defensive linemen: The front four had many questions after a season-ending injury to defensive end Adisa Isaac and the unavailability of tackle Hakeem Beamon. They’ve responded well, helped immensely by the play of transfers Arnold Ebiketie and Derrick Tangelo. Replacing tackle PJ Mustipher will not be easy after his season-ending knee injury. Grade: A-.
Linebackers: Ellis Brooks, Brandon Smith and Curtis Jacobs have been responsible for a dramatic improvement at these positions. There have been fewer missed tackles and less room for offenses. They’re a big reason why the Lions rank fourth in the FBS in points allowed (13.8) and in the top 30 in total and rushing defense.
Grade: B+.
Defensive backs: This might be the best secondary that Penn State has had. The Lions rank fourth in the FBS in pass defense
efficiency and have held four opponents to less than 200 passing yards. Safety Jaquan Brisker is playing at an All-American level, and cornerbacks Tariq CastroFields and Joey Porter Jr. at an All-Big Ten level.
Grade: A.
Defense’s overall grade: A. Special teams: Jordan Stout has been outstanding as a punter and kickoff specialist. Penn State is third in the FBS in net punting, and Stout is fifth with a 48.8 average. He hasn’t been as good with placements, making 8-of-11 field goal attempts and missing a PAT. The Lions haven’t done much in the return game yet.
B.
Grade: Coaching:
If there’s one glaring criticism of James Franklin and his staff so far, it’s that backup quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson looked overwhelmed when he replaced the injured Sean Clifford at Iowa. The four-man rotation at running back also hasn’t worked. The seventh-ranked Lions are 5-1 and could very well be 6-0 if not for Clifford’s injury.
Grade: B+.
Team’s overall grade: