Penn State Football: Keys to the Game (Game #9 – Purdue Boilermakers)
By Corey Hunter
Chugga, Chugga, Chugga, Choo-Choo!!
Oct 27, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Matthew McGloin (11) prepares to hand the ball off to running back Bill Belton (1) during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Ohio State defeated Penn State 35-23. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE
That’s right kiddoes, lets keep the running train rolling! Last week was just a blip on the radar for the Nittany Lions. Prior to last week, Penn State had a back rush for 100 yards or more in 4 straight games (OK, I’m taking a small liberty with Zwinak having 94 yards against Temple, but its close enough to make my point!). Penn State needs to get back to their ground-and pound game. The ability to move the ball effectively on the ground allows the Nittany Lions to take the heat and pressure off of McGloin. Against Ohio State, Penn State became too predictable: first down run for short yardage, second and third down pass plays. Ohio State was able to dial up pressure with their linebackers at the drop of a hat. For Penn State to be a good offensive team, they need to be able to run the ball and gain yardage. They had been doing that for the past 5 weeks until they got away from it against Ohio State. Credit the Buckeyes for taking away a piece of the Penn State offense!
On top of all the benefits that can come out of a solid Nittany Lions rushing attack, what doesn’t Purdue do well on defense…stop the run! Purdue is allowing 194.50 yards rushing per game good for 11th in the Big Ten. Only Indiana allows more yards per game on the ground. In Purdue’s last four games, all losses, they’ve given up 1135 yards rushing! The most they allowed was 467 yards rushing to Wisconsin (Montee Ball had 247 rushing yards all by himself), but they held Ohio State to a mere 152 yards on the ground. Quite simply, Penn State has got a prime match-up to be able to run the ball. Bill Belton, Zach Zwinak, Michael Zordich, Eric McCoo, Ki-Jana Carter, D.J. Dozier, you name it, who ever lines up in the Penn State backfield on Saturday ought to be licking their chops!
Look for Penn State to give the ball to their backs at least 40 times or more on Saturday. The Nittany Lions are averaging 39.25 rushes per game which places them 7th in the conference, but in games where they have had a dominant rushing performance like against Iowa (52 attempts), the Nittany Lions have handed off quite a lot. As the Penn State defense can attest, running the ball wears down the defense, especially late in the ball game.