Penn State Football: Five Areas of Improvement for the Nittany Lions

 THE RUNNING GAME

Dec 27, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Akeel Lynch (22) rushes the ball against the Boston College Eagles during the second half of the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Penn State won 31-30 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

This area of improvement is destined to get better quickly. Last seasons run game was dreadful. The biggest reason, obviously, were the issues up front. This season, Akeel Lynch is primed to be the full-time starter. He has bided his time for two years now, much to the dismay of some who felt he should have carried the ball much more last year. If the spring was any indication, his patience should pay off. Lynch scored the first touchdown Saturday and looked the part of an every down back.

Behind Lynch, stands three redshirt freshmen. Nick Scott pulled off one of the springs highlight plays, with his 51 yard jaunt through the Blue squads 1st team defense. Mark Allen looked strong, as well,ass he shared snaps with Scott throughout the day. Jonathan Thomas is another back that has shown promise as a power runner, but missed the Blue/White game due to a nagging injury.

Among the freshmen enrolling in June is Mr. Pennsylvania 2014 Saquan Barkley and runner-up Andre Robinson. Whether they play immediately or not will be determined in camp, but both backs are fast and possess unlimited potential.

As dismal as Penn State’s run game was last season, this unit is primed to start climbing it’s way back to the level that Nittany Lion fans are accustomed too.

Next: Third Top Area Needing Improvement