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Penn State Football: The Case for Saquon Barkley as the Offensive MVP

By Barry Leonard Jr.

Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps into the air after scoring a touchdown in overtime against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps into the air after scoring a touchdown in overtime against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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Saquon Barkley was a vital piece of Penn State’s success on offense this season. 

The Penn State offense as a whole flourished under new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead. The Nittany Lions quickly transformed from one of the worst offenses last year to a very potent one this season. Running back Saquon Barkley was a big reason for that.

Quarterabck Trace McSorley has a strong case to be considered Penn State’s offensive MVP, but Barkley was a vital piece of what the team did and may have an even better case for team MVP on offense.

Barkley rushed for 1,496 yards this season and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground. He ranked second in the Big Ten in yards, but led in rushing touchdowns. Barkley eclipsed 100 yards rushing in a game six times and twice went over 200 yards.

The sophomore entered the season with a reputation of being a very exciting runner, and he didn’t disappoint.

From spinning and juking away from oncoming defenders, to leaping nearly anything in his way, Barkley is a human highlight reel.

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Even with teams keying in on him, especially early in the year, Barkley was able to put up good numbers. Moorhead had to find creative ways to get his playmaker the ball, so he was often used in the passing attack.

Coming out of the backfield as a receiver to create a mismatch with a linebacker made Barkley very dangerous. He was especially useful on the wheel route. Barkley finished the year with 28 catches for 402 yards and four receiving touchdowns. He caught a touchdown pass in both the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl to end the year.

Because of his usefulness in the passing attack, and occasional use on kick returns, Barkley led the Big Ten with 1,972 all-purpose yards.

Barkley finished his sophomore campaign with 22 total touchdowns. In the loss to Pittsburgh had a career-high five scores with four on the ground and one through the air. He had six games in which he scored at least two touchdowns.

The Penn State offense took a major step forward this season, and Saquon Barkley was a big reason for that. Considered among the best running backs in the nation, Barkley will enter 2017 with some even higher expectations.

Next: Penn State Football Recruiting Roundup: January 12, 2017

With all that he did this year, Barkley has an excellent case to be named Penn State’s MVP of the offense.

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