Penn State vs. Temple Game Grades

Sep 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Temple Owls fans cheer after Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (not pictured) is sacked during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line: 

I know that an F- is not an actual grade, but the offensive line deserves something worse than an F here.

All the talk in the off-season was that the line was improving and they were using the 44 sacks in 2014 as motivation to keep Hackenberg more upright this season.  Well, after giving up 10 sacks on Saturday, this line has given up nearly one quarter of what it did last year in the first game of the season.

The offensive line was a complete train wreck.  At one point, Temple rushed just two guys and still got to Hackenberg for a sack. Five offensive linemen couldn’t stop two defensive lineman.  Let that one sink in for a moment.

In addition to the sacks, there were at least three false starts, including a snap infraction on center Angelo Mangiro.  There were also a few holding calls.  Left tackle Paris Palmer was beat all day and didn’t look ready to play Division I football.

James Franklin said in his post game press conference that they are playing the best five guys on the line. Prepare for a long season if that’s a true statement.

Grade: F-

Next: Defensive Line