Penn State Football: 2017 position grades vs Ohio State

Coaching

James Franklin and company did make the right calls in the first half and played aggressive. That offensive approach resulted in an early lead 18-point lead. Along the way, Penn State football’s mindset changed. The offense settled for the run game on three plays inside the five and it bit them.

All three went nowhere and Penn State was forced to settle for a field goal. In the second half, Barkley couldn’t get his footing, yet the offense insisted on getting him the ball. In an offense so predicated on big plays and gunslinging, it went out gun shy. Joe Moorhead’s a genius play caller, but he needs to make better decisions late in the game.

James Franklin deserves some credit for trying to get the team one final possession at the end of the second quarter. He made the aggressive call to use timeouts, but the team let him down with penalties. Franklin kept the pedal on early, but he also let it off late resulting in a loss.

Brent Pry was tasked with stopping an explosive Buckeyes’ offense, and his defense fell short. Pry shouldn’t receive all the blame. This defense had massive confidence through seven weeks, and Pry backed it up with his play calling. It backfired, as the secondary recorded a season-low in performance.

I’m sure some will question which route the Nittany Lions should’ve taken in its two big game losses. Against USC, the overaggressiveness bit them, while the conservative play calling did the same against Ohio State. This staff needs to figure it out or watch as another season with a talented squad falls short of the College Football Playoff.

Grade: C-

Must Read: Penn State football players of the game versus Ohio State