Despite 2-0 start, things to clean up for Penn St.
Buffalo, despite being a 30-point underdog, promised to be a better test for Penn State than Idaho was and delivered Saturday night at Beaver Stadium.
The Bulls designed a smart game plan, which is not surprising considering the track record of coach Lance Leipold. On offense, they attacked the Nittany Lions where they were most vulnerable. On defense, they crowded the line of scrimmage to pressure the line and force quarterback Sean Clifford, a first-year starter, to beat them through the air.
It worked until John Reid’s go-ahead 36-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the second half, which led to Penn State erupting for 28 thirdquarter points in a 45-13 win.
The Lions celebrated their 2-0 start, but at least some of them realized they have much work to do.
“We can step it up in a lot of areas,” linebacker Cam Brown said. “We showed flashes of good things, but we have to tighten it up.”
True. A performance like the one Saturday night will not fly against most Big Ten opponents or even against Pittsburgh this Saturday in State College.
Buffalo outgained Penn State 429357, including a 270-82 margin in the first half. The Bulls held the football for at least 10 minutes in each quarter. The Lions had the ball for just 17:28, their lowest time of possession since at least 1993.
One week after gaining 331 yards on the ground against Idaho, Penn State netted just 78, its fewest since Michigan limited the Lions to 68 last year.
“I don’t think we were finishing blocks,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “They also were committed to stopping the run by getting extra guys in the box. They try to make it (the offense) one-dimensional, get the safeties involved in the run game and make you beat them by throwing the ball.”
The Lions finally adjusted at halftime and finally allowed Clifford to look downfield to wide receivers Jahan Dotson and KJ Hamler and tight end Pat Freiermuth. Starting with Reid’s interception return, Penn State scored three touchdowns in a span of 6:46 to overcome a 10-7 halftime deficit.
“Offensively we just have to be more consistent,” Franklin said. “We were obviously very explosive, but we were too inconsistent. It was either a touchdown or a lot of time it was three-and-out.”
Buffalo’s offense attacked inexperienced corners Keaton Ellis and Donovan Johnson for long gains. The Bulls ran effectively against Penn State’s sack-happy defensive line, often doubleteaming end Yetur Gross-Matos.
“We know we have to come out fast,” Reid said. “We have to go back to the film, look at the things we need to improve and make the corrections. It didn’t hurt us tonight, but it could hurt us down the road.” It’s not time to panic, though. Penn State outscored Buffalo 38-3 and outgained the Bulls 275-159 in the second half. Clifford completed 16of-22 passes for 279 and four touchdowns, and he hasn’t committed a turnover in his two starts.
The Lions have scored 124 points, the second-best two-game start in program history. The best? Scoring 132 against Gettysburg and Lafayette to open the 1894 season.
The schedule will get stronger incrementally, which allows a young team time for growth.
“There are lessons to be learned from the first game,” Franklin said, “and there are lessons to be learned from this game. We were able to do that and still get the W. We have a really good opponent next week and we have to take the next step.”