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Penn State Football: 7 Reasons for the Ugly Season

By Alec Whitaker

Nov 7, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands with quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the playing of the alma mater following the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands with quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the playing of the alma mater following the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Pat Freiermuth (87) prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Pat Freiermuth (87) prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Injuries

This may be the biggest factor.

Penn State lost its starting running back Journey Brown before the season due to a heart condition. Less than a week later, Penn State lost their new starter, Noah Cain, for the season, thanks to an injury he suffered on the first drive of the season.

Penn State is averaging 139 rushing yards per game, but most of that is thanks to quarterback runs. The young running backs have struggled in place of the two stars.

Penn State now has to deal with an injury to third string, turned starter, running back Devyn Ford, who left Saturday’s game against Iowa. That leaves Penn State with two true freshmen as scholarship running backs.

Penn State also lost Freiermuth for the season. Although the injury was sustained in the Ohio State game, he wasn’t ruled out until this past week.

Penn State’s offense is now down four of its stars. Not good for a group only averaging 24.6 points per game.

The defense has also dealt with injuries, as starting corner Tariq Castro-Fields has missed a couple games with an undisclosed health issue.

Multiple other defensive players have missed some time due to injuries as well.

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