Penn State Football: Week 9 Studs and Duds against Iowa

Penn State’s Offensive Line

Last week in the Player’s to Watch against Iowa I mentioned that you should keep your eye on the line play of the Nittany Lions’ right tackles – Will Fries and Chasz Wright.  Fries drew the start, but once again had difficulty in pass situations.  Chasz Wright spelled him with marginal success.  The Nittany Lions were supposed to have one of their most talented and deep offensive lines in quite a number of years and it was supposed to be a point of strength for the team.

While there have been times when the offensive line has been solid, too many times breakdowns in assignments have caused McSorley to be forced from the pocket or to be sacked.

After eight games, Penn State has allowed 16 sacks against, good for 8th in the Big Ten.  In their six wins, the Nittany Lions have allowed 11 sacks which puts them near the bottom of the Big Ten.  Ironically, in the two losses Penn State has endured, they have roughly the same amount of sacks per game.

At the current rate, the number of sacks against for Penn State (projected to be 21 for the season) will be the lowest since the team gave up only 24 sacks back in 2016.  Much of the decrease has to do with the mobility of quarterback Trace McSorley.

The win over Iowa was a team effort, but it will take an even greater effort, especially from the Nittany Lions offensive right side if they are going to finish in the top portion of the Big Ten East.