Penn State Football: Position Grades versus Appalachian State

By Dylan Burd | Sep 4, 2018

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for a 4 yard touchdown in overtime against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes against Anthony Flory #44 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

The offensive line was a problem for the entire 2017 season, and it started off terribly in 2018. They only allowed Trace McSorley to be sacked one time, but App State had five QB hurries, and two tackles for a loss.

McSorley really had no time to throw the ball all game, and there were plenty of plays where the running backs ran for a one or two yard gain because they had no room to run. Against a team like App State, there’s no reason why there should have been much pressure at all on Trace McSorely.

If Penn State wants to compete for a Big Ten Championship, the offensive line needs to improve tremendously. I can’t imagine if Michigan or Ohio State’s defensive line were facing the Penn State offensive line this week.

There were high expectations for the offensive line entering this season. So far, it appears there’s still a lot of work left to do.

Grade: C

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