Penn State Football: Nittany Lions Have Best Backfield in the Nation

Penn State has the luxury of returning what will arguably be the best backfield in the nation for the 2017 season.

When the Penn State Nittany Lions take the field for the 2017 season they will do so with perhaps the best backfield in not only the Big Ten, but the entire nation. That talented backfield should help the Nittany Lions once again be in contention for, and to defend, the Big Ten East crown.

Although the numbers might not show it, make no mistake about it, the Nittany Lions are stacked in the backfield.

There are more than a few players who are capable of contributing in big ways. Penn State finished last season ranked No. 6 in the Big Ten with an average of 171.9 rushing yards per game. That wasn’t the highest, but a big reason for that was the play of the passing game.

Like last year- the numbers on the ground may not be huge again this year thanks to the passing attack. However, it’s what the backs are able to do that make them so dangerous.

More from Victory Bell Rings

Of course, when talking about the running game and the backfield at Penn State, it all starts with Saquon Barkley. The junior runner is a supreme talent that can electrify an entire stadium with just one move. Wether it’s spinning, juking, or hurdling over defenders, Barkley is a human highlight reel nearly every time he touches the ball.

Barkley finished last season with 1,496 rushing yards and a conference-leading 18 touchdowns.

What made Barkley even more dangerous last year was the fact that he added a new dimension to his game. He became very good at catching passes out of the backfield, particularly on a wheel route. Last season, Barkley set career highs in receptions (28), receiving yards (402), and receiving touchdowns (4).

Quarterback Trace McSorley — who put up some fantastic numbers through the air last season — also makes up a huge part of the talented Penn State backfield. Aside from throwing the ball deep, McSorley proved to be dangerous with his legs. Whenever the pocket would break down, McSorley was usually able to keep the play alive with his mobility.

The quarterback was second on the team a year ago with 146 carries for 365 yards and seven touchdowns.

Barkley and McSorley will get the most attention out of Penn State’s backfield, but the reserves are very talented as well.

Sophomore back Miles Sanders was a five-star recruit and will likely be utilized heavier this season. He was primarily used on kick returns in 2016, but finished with both a receiving and rushing touchdown.

Fellow backup running backs Andre Robinson and Mark Allen will also be back in the mix. Robinson led the backup runners last year with six total touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving), while Allen caught a touchdown pass and also ran one in.

Even backup quarterback Tommy Stevens has shown a very valuable skill-set as a runner. He finished third on the team last year with 198 rushing yards and could be used more as a runner this season.

Next: Penn State Football: DaeSean Hamilton Poised for a Bounce-Back Season in 2017

Despite being known as one of the top passing attacks in the nation, Penn State also boasts a very talented backfield and rushing attack for this season. Barkley gets all of the attention, but one look at the roster shows that the Nittany Lions have several talented options to choose from in the backfield.

Home/Penn State Football