Penn State Football 2021: Keys to success on offense

Key #3 – Score Touchdowns in the Red Zone

Last season, Penn State Football struggled at scoring touchdowns, or scoring in general, from inside the red zone. They finished 110th in the country at red zone scoring percentage at 72.97%.

While you want to find at least some type of points, even if it is just a field goal, scoring touchdowns when you get into the red zone is crucial.

Last season, Penn State was fifth in the Big Ten in passing yards per game, and fourth in rushing yards per game. They averaged 430.3 yards of total offense per game, which was second in the conference. So, they were able to move the ball well, but they did not always finish drives.

That is going to need to change this season if Penn State hopes to get back to double digit wins and play in a New Years Six bowl game.

Mike Yurcich will need to be more creative calling plays than Kirk Ciarrocca was last season, especially in the red zone. Additionally, using formations with Clifford under center down near the goal line should help the running backs get momentum running downhill to gain hit the hole hard.

Lastly, Sean Clifford should look to get the ball to one of his two excellent tight ends (Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson), who will be big time targets in the red zone.

Penn State will have a lot of close games this season, so finishing drives with points, especially touchdowns, could be the difference between winning a close game, or losing one.