Penn State Football: Position Grades versus Georgia State
Offensive Line
Penn State football’s O-Line didn’t put together its best game against Georgia State. The push up front wasn’t strong, but it bought enough time for the Nittany Lions’ playmakers to operate. Overall though, the offensive line didn’t hamper the play of the skill players. It also didn’t pave a perfect path either.
Pass blocking-wise, McSorley wasn’t forced out of the pocket often. He had ample time to sit and pick apart the Panthers. It’s the run blocking that became suspect at times. Saquon Barkley can create plays out of nothing, but he struggled to gain ground at times. For instance, when the offense needed a major push up front to get out of the shadow of its end zone on drive No. 2, the line let him down.
If Barkley didn’t carry a defender across the goal line, the Panthers would’ve recorded a safety. When the offense chose to go outside on pitch plays, the line created a little more space. Not to continue harping on the O-Line’s issues, but they do need to improve before next week.