Penn State Football: Rushing offense looks to build on 2018
Unlike recent seasons, Penn State football could utilize multiple backs in its offense this year behind a stout, experienced O-Line.
In 2018, Penn State football’s rushing offense jumped to another level, averaging 204.8 yards per game on the ground, which ranked 29th in the nation. The Nittany Lions feasted on opponents. They averaged 5.1 yards per carry and rushed for 34 touchdowns. The run game improved, because of a better offensive line, but it also had to step up with an inconsistent passing game. The rushing offense this coming season would help usher in a new era at QB if they could continue their improvements.
Obviously, Penn State loses a huge chunk of that production with the departure of its two leading rushers in quarterback Trace McSorley and running back Miles Sanders.
But, the offensive line remains mostly intact with three starters returning, and explosive, 2018 freshman back Ricky Slade is back to lead a deep, young backfield.
First, let’s talk the offensive line returners. Junior Michael Menet is back to start at center. He’s appeared in 24 career games and started 12, which bodes well for an even better 2019.
On the left side, Penn State football also returns two-year starter and three-year letterman Steven Gonzalez at left guard. He’s appeared in 37 games, starting 29 of those. He earned All-Big Ten Honors in each of the last two seasons and is back for what should be another All-Big Ten year.
Junior starting left tackle and two-year offensive line starter Will Fries also returns, solidifying the run game even further. With 26 games appeared in and 20 starts, he’s set for a strong season. Beyond the starters, reserve guards Mike Miranda and Des Holmes return. Miranda played in 13 games last year and started another, while Holmes played in four others.
The offensive line is huge to a successful rushing attack. But, the backs a team carries mean more, and it this offense has an abundance of them. Starting with Slade, he returns as the active leading rusher with 257 yards and six touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry. The former five-star recruit has another gear to create big plays and run away from defenders.
He’s not the only incoming star. Four-star backs in the Class of 2019 Noah Cain and Devyn Ford enter the program along with former four-star back and Notre Dame Transfer C.J. Holmes and three-star back Journey Brown.
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Sanders and Saquon Barkley were two bellcows that Penn State could go to. This year the Nittany Lions have a surplus of talent and may opt to spread the carries. Imagine this offense if Tommy Stevens can move in at QB and have a backfield this special behind him, great things would be in store for the Nittany Lions.