Penn State Football: Grading the Nittany Lions vs. Minnesota

The main issue I had with the coaching staff this week was on the Penn State drive early in the fourth quarter, where the Nittany Lions ended up turning the ball over on downs. Anytime you’re down 12 points in the fourth quarter; you need to score a touchdown when you’re inside the opponent’s ten-yard line.

Penn State had first and goal on the Minnesota nine-yard line, and ran the ball three times in a row for a combined four yards. On a fourth and goal, they threw an unsuccessful fade route to K.J Hamler in the corner of the end zone.

After the pass was working that drive, running the ball three straight times was ridiculous. Then, instead of going to reliable Pat Freiermuth on fourth down, Penn State threw a jump ball fade to a wide receiver that’s 5’9.” The play-calling at the end of that drive was a primary reason why Penn State didn’t win this game.

In terms of the secondary, I didn’t think enough adjustments were made on defense to stop Tanner Morgan and Minnesota’s passing game. The Penn State defense normally plays a zone, and they did that, but Minnesota had it figured out from the get-go. Safeties weren’t coming over to help corners in time, and in general, the zone just got carved apart by the Golden Gophers.

Michigan figured this out in the second half against Penn State just over three weeks ago. Minnesota definitely watched that tape.

While this loss for Penn State was devastating, the season is not over yet, and the coaching staff knows that. In the last two seasons, the Nittany Lions have suffered back-to-back losses. It’s crucial that the coaching staff has the players just as motivated as every other week vs. Indiana. Indiana is now ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll and a 7-2 team. They’re no pushover, and Penn State needs to be ready for that game this upcoming Saturday.