Penn State Football: Game Grades for the Game Against Akron

Sep 6, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin during the fourth quarter against the Akron Zips at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Akron 21-3. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Coaching –

I didn’t grade the coaching staff last week, but this week I will give it a shot. In my opinion, the coaching staff is certainly the hardest to get a grade on because you don’t know what exactly their game plan is. A lot of times when watching football you may question a play call only to realize that it wasn’t expected to be a huge play, but possibly just to set up another play with big potential down the road. However, I will give it a shot.

In just his second game at Penn State, Coach Franklin has seemed to at least established an identity. Franklin and his staff have recognized the offensive line has better ability and more leeway in pass protection, therefore calling more pass plays than rushing plays. I like the offensive game plan to mix in quick screens to Hamilton and I like that Belton is being used in the passing game, in more ways than we expected, as well.

I think the wildcat is okay as a change-of-pace play, but I’m not huge on it being used extensively. While it didn’t work, I like that the staff gave Belton the opportunity to throw a pass. This, at the very least, makes teams prepare for the possibility of it.

There were some questionable play calls, and I’d like to see Hackenberg under center a little more, especially on third-and-short. All-in-all, the offensive game plan was stellar. Defensively, I like what Coach Shoop is doing and I believe he’s getting a lot out of his players, especially the front seven. I’d like to see a little more aggressiveness and I’d like the coaching staff to have the secondary take a few chances to produce a big play.

Grade – B