Penn State Football: Keys to the Game vs Minnesota
By Corey Hunter
Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium on Saturday looking for redemption against an undefeated Minnesota Golden Gophers team. Find out what Penn State needs to do to get back on top.
Just after the conclusion of the game at Michigan last weekend, Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley sat stoned-faced at his locker an apologized for his and the team’s performance. Penn State had just come off a one-sided 49-10 loss to the Wolverines. It was a loss that saw McSorley complete 16 of 27 passes for a paltry 121 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
McSorley, despite being just a redshirt sophomore, has become a vocal leader of the Nittany Lions. On the plane ride back to State College, both McSorley and starting center Brain Gaia began texting teammates. They each asked them to meet Monday afternoon at the Lasch Building, the team’s training complex.
Typically, Monday is the day head coach James Franklin gives the team off before preparations begin for the week’s opponent. But there was McSorley and the rest of the Nittany Lions offensive skill players watching film and seeing where they could exploit Minnesota’s weaknesses, and how they could improve on their own performance.
While many outsiders have left Penn State for dead, players like redshirt senior long snapper Tyler Yazujian, have said the commitment among the players is still strong.
"“These coaches are great, and everyone has 100 percent buy-in,” Yazujian said. “There’s no one on the team that would disagree that everyone is on the same page. … We’re moving forward.”"
Head Coach James Franklin reiterated the same sentiment during his news conference on Tuesday.
"“We’re not going to overreact: We’re going to correct the mistakes,” Franklin said. “We did those things on Saturday. We’ve moved on to our next opponent now.”"
Moving forward is exactly what Penn State must do!
This week’s opponent, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, comes to Happy Valley riding a four-game winning streak dating back to last December, including a perfect 3-0 record this season. For Penn State, the road to bowl eligibility begins in earnest on Saturday. Find out how the Nittany Lions can inch closer to the postseason in the game keys – Minnesota edition.
Game Keys
#1. Improve Rush Defense:
Pick your poison – rush offense or rush defense. Currently, Penn State sits last in the Big Ten in both categories. They are rushing for an average of 101.25 yards per game and they are giving up 213.75 yards per game. In fact, Penn State ranks 121st in rush offense and 105th nationally in rush defense. Neither of those stats are going to win you many games. The solution is simple, Penn State must begin to slowly rebuild the dam and improve in one or both of those areas to have a chance of winning Saturday.
Minnesota ranks fifth in the Big Ten in rush offense averaging 228.33 yards per game. No doubt sophomore running back Rodney Smith and senior quarterback Mitch Leidner are licking their chops. The duo have combined for 433 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. Leidner is especially tough near the goal line.
Penn State’s front four must do a solid job of stunting the Gophers offensive line push. With the injuries to the Nittany Lion line backers, the defensive line can provide support by maintaining inside gap control. Keep your eye on Penn State’s defensive tackles Kevin Givens and Parker Cothren, as well as reserve Robert Windsor. Minnesota will run to the outside, but they prefer to run between the tackles. How Penn State defends should be a tell-tale sign for the outcome of this game.
#2. Improve Rush Offense:
Penn State needs to do a better job of creating space for sophomore running back Saquon Barkley. His stat line last week would not jump off a page, but he was quite literally THE Penn State offense. Barkley posted 15 carries for 59 yards and added five receptions for 77 yards.
While Penn State fans know he is an integral part of the offense, so does the opponent. On Saturday, see if Penn State can establish a running attack with Barkley. Minnesota has only allowed a stingy 118.67 yards per game on the ground. If Barkley gets bottled up on the ground, then Penn State must revert to plan B. At Michigan, Penn State threw swing passes and wheel routes to get Barkley in single coverage. These plays were effective so look for more of them this weekend.
#3. Convert Will Ya!
As if the first two stats were not bad enough, the Lions also finds themselves last in the Big Ten in third-down conversion percentage, converting at minuscule 24.44 percent . The lack of converting seems to spring from two primary factors: down and distance being unmanageable and play calling is too reserved.
At Michigan, the Lions faced 13 third-down opportunities and nine were at least six yards or longer. Third downs already place a large amount of pressure on the offense to keep drives and possessions alive. It becomes more challenging when the offense is tasked with needing six yards or more on nearly 70 percent of their third-down conversions.
The Lions play calling on third down has also been suspect. Early in the first quarter Saturday, they faced a 3rd and 10 at the Michigan 47. Curiously, Penn State called for a Barkley hand off which went for five yards. On fourth down, Penn State decided to go and a bubble screen to DeAndre Thompkins was blown up by All-Big Ten cornerback Jourdan Lewis. In fact Michigan recorded four of their six team sacks on third down.
This week Penn State would do well to learn how to convert from their opponent. Minnesota is second in the Big Ten in third-down conversion rate. At nearly 56 pencent, the Golden Gophers have not found the same trouble in converting as the Lions.
For the Lions to keep the down and distance manageable, they need to establish a run game to keep the defense honest. They also need to find a way to get the ball in the hands of Hamilton and Godwin. Both receivers have been effective on quick slants and post patterns, so look for those quick-hitters this weekend.
#4. You’ve Been Sacked:
Penn State is next to last in the Big Ten in sacks allowed. Trace McSorley is hitting his backside nearly three times per game. Compare that to Minnesota that is allowing a Big Ten-best 0.33 sacks per game. Golden Gopher QB Mitch Leidner has only been sacked once in three games.
Due to the competition each team has faced that stat can be slightly misleading. What can not be misinterpreted is that Penn State’s offensive line is still a patch work in progress. Coach Limegrover and Coach Franklin are still trying different players in an attempt to solidify an already porous offensive line. This week true freshman Connor McGovern gets his first start at right guard. The Lions will be facing an upperclassmen-laden defense. In fact, Minnesota only starts one player that has less than junior or senior eligibility (sophomore cornerback Antonio Shenault). How the Lions handle the Gophers pressure will go a long way to determining the winner Saturday.
#5. Score, Score, Score:
Points could be at a premium on Saturday. Both Penn State and Minnesota rank in the bottom half of the Big Ten in points allowed. The Lions will need to use their extra film study sessions this week to find a way to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers. While the Lions are giving up over 32 points per game, the Gophers are also equally adept at giving up a significant number of points. The Gophers are giving up an average of 25 points per game. For Penn State to emerge victorious, they are going to have to score points. When they do get to the red zone, touchdowns, not field goals, has to be the result.