Report Card: Penn State vs Temple

Penn State played a really strong game yesterday, but I’m a strict grader. Was it a “straight A” performance?

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks:  A

McGloin had a 66.6% completion rate, threw for 318 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 2 more touchdowns. Had an early interception that went off the receiver’s hands, but that won’t affect the grade here.

Running Backs:  A

In true depth chart form: No Belton OR Day OR Dukes. Mike Zordich and Zach Zwinak each went for over 100 total yards while punishing the Temple defense and averaging over 5 ypc. Tackling fullbacks is never fun and Temple was forced to do it 38 times. ZZ almost gave Penn State it’s first 100 yard rushing game of the season, ending with 94 yards.

Wide Receivers:  A-

The “minus” was for the tipped pass off of Moseby-Felder that ended in an interception. Allen Robinson had what may have been the play of the game with his touchdown catch and Alex Kenney, who can fly, is getting more involved. True freshman Trevor Williams got in the action again and has been solid in the loss of Kersey.

Tight Ends:  B-

Three tight ends had at least one catch and Paul Jones took a handoff early in the game. Kyle Carter was so wide-open on one catch that the refs threw a flag, assuming he must have shoved someone down at some point on the play. Overall tight end stat line, eight catches, 122 yards and solid run-blocking.

Offensive Line:  A

The run blocking was much better. O’Brien plugged away with his stretch plays and the offensive line, once again missing their starting left tackle, consistently opened holes. The makeshift backfield only lost yards on two plays and McGloin was not sacked in the game. Nine different O-linemen saw action in the contest.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: A

Temple quarterback Chris Coyer ripped off a couple big runs but ended up with 13 carries netting 64 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Senior DEs Sean Stanley and Pete Massaro weren’t available so CJ Olaniyan started and had a strong game. Hill and Baublitz each had a sack while Deion Barnes added a tackle for loss.

Linebackers: A

You knew coming in that this group would be the strength of the team, but wow. Mauti is playing like one of the best linebackers in the country and had another nine tackles. Hodges added six tackles and Mike Hull played both middle and outside linebacker and had the sack of the game, where he came on a late blitz and caught Coyer off guard.

Secondary: B

The numbers looked good. Coyer was 13-26 for just 124 yards but there were quite a few open wide receivers that were missed. Stephon Morris needs to do a better job of getting his head turned around and freshman DaQuan Davis better get used to being picked on. Opposing quarterbacks are waiting for him to be in one-on-one and they go right after him. He responded well yesterday but was flagged for a big pass interference.

SPECIAL TEAMS:  B

Ficken hit every extra point and a field goal, Jesse Della Valle had a good return and nobody turned the ball over…but Butterworth punted one ball about nine yards once and that cost the unit a letter grade.

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