Penn State Football: Keys to the Game (Game #9 – Purdue Boilermakers)
By Corey Hunter
Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!!!
Oct 27, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Matthew McGloin (11) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Ohio State defeated Penn State 35-23. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE
Calling all NASCAR fans! The Penn State offense, at times, has looked like a finely-tuned NASCAR engine. One that is up-tempo, quick-to-the-line, quick-to-snap. I recall seeing that type of pace only a handful of times last Saturday against Ohio State. in particular, Penn State put together one drive in the second quarter where the officials had barely set the ball and Nittany Lions were hiking it. Of course that kept Ohio State off balance and did not allow them to substitute personnel.
Penn State needs to continue that style of play. They were able to gain massive chunks of real estate per play as well as tire out the defense. Penn State ranks 4th in the Big Ten in total plays from scrimmage (627), but they are first in average plays per game with 78.38. Conversely, Purdue has run 583 plays (6th in the Big Ten) for an average of 72.88 plays per game.
In conjunction with running a large number of plays and having a stellar rushing game, the Penn State offense should be able to give McGloin time to find an open receiver. While TE Kyle Carter may be hobbled this week with an ankle/lower leg injury, McGloin has other targets that should be able to find space to get open. A fast, quick-paced offense will tend to have someone be open. If McGloin lets the game come to him, he should be able to make plays down field. Saturday afternoon, look for Penn State to try and get into quick-tempo sets more often than they did last week.