How can Penn State Football replace Noah Cain?

Alec Whitaker

Oct 26, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) hands the ball off to running back Noah Cain (21) during the first quarter of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State Football went from having one of the nation’s deepest backfields to losing Journey Brown and Noah Cain less than a week apart from each other

Penn State Football now faces a serious dilemma with Noah Cain out for the season.

The Nittany Lions were already down a running back with Journey Brown likely out for the season. Cain was being counted on to replace Brown, but he was injured just minutes into Saturday’s 36-35 loss to Indiana.

Without their top two backs, and facing an 0-2 start with Ohio State coming to town this Saturday, what does the team do now?

Oct 24, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) fakes a hand off to Penn State Nittany Lions running back Devyn Ford (28) the first quarter of the game against Indiana at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

1. Ride with Ford

When Cain went out, sophomore Devyn Ford took over the bulk of the snaps. He carried the ball 20 times for 69 yards and a touchdown. The only problem is, that touchdown more or less cost Penn State the game. The proper play was for Ford to slide down instead of scoring. Indiana was then able to get the ball back and tie the game. That play is a concern about his awareness, but the talent is there.

Getting his first career start against Ohio State won’t be easy, but he’ll have to be up to the challenge for Penn State to have any chance Saturday night against the Buckeyes.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford — Nov 16, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) runs with the ball while Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Micah McFadden (47) pursues during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

2. More Quarterback Runs

This is something the coaching staff wanted to avoid this season because of how banged up Sean Clifford got towards the end of last season.

Backup quarterback Will Levis got one snap in a wildcat scenario this past week, it resulted in a lost fumble. The staff likes his physicality and running style, and with the power back Cain out, he could get more short yardage opportunities.

Clifford was the team’s leading rusher on Saturday with 17 carries for 119 yards and a score. Clifford constantly running the ball that many times a game just isn’t sustainable for the entire season.

The quarterbacks will definitely run more, but it shouldn’t become a habit.

BLOOMINGTON, IN – OCTOBER 24: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions pats the rear end of Caziah Holmes #26 before a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 24, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana won 36-35 overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

3. Trust the Freshmen

Both freshmen running backs Keyvone Lee and Caziah Holmes saw action after Cain went down. Lee was the more impressive of the two, picking up 35 yards on six carries. He’s a physical runner like Cain, making him the ideal replacement.

Holmes gained 16 yards on five carries, he did fumble, but it was recovered the offense. He’s a guy who thrives in open space, so look for offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca to find creative ways to get him involved.

James Franklin has never been afraid to use freshmen running backs, and this year is no different, except there’s more pressure on them this time.

Alec Whitaker