Penn State Football vs. Ball State: Nittany Lions’ 3 keys to victory
Penn State Football returns home to Beaver Stadium for the first time this year and for the first time in front of fans since 2019 to host the Ball State Cardinals at 3:30 pm on FS1.
The Nittany Lions went on the road in Week 1 and got the job done against the No. 12 ranked Wisconsin Badgers, 16-10, setting up for an exciting home stand that starts Saturday against Ball State.
The Cardinals are the reigning MAC champions after going 7-1 in 2020 and return almost every starter from last season, with a load of “super seniors” so this is not a team who will come into Beaver Stadium intimidated by Penn State Football.
Beaver Stadium should be rocking though, as fans will pack the stands for the first time in almost two full years. Ball State’s home stadium holds 22,000 people, while Penn State Football will have 20,000 just in the student section this weekend.
The Nittany Lions must avoid letting this game not only be a let down spot after a huge road victory last weekend, but also a look ahead spot, as they will host Auburn in the annual ‘white out’ next weekend on primetime national television.
Ball State is good enough to beat Penn State Football if they succumb to either of those situations, but are a heavy underdog in this one.
Here are three keys to victory for Penn State Football to avoid an upset this week:
Penn State Football key No. 3: Start fast and keep their foot on the gas pedal
The Penn State Football offense predictably got off to a slow start last week facing an elite defense on the road, breaking in a new offensive coordinator. However, even the biggest skeptic couldn’t have predicted just how slow of a start.
James Franklin’s crew only managed one first down in the first half, but thanks to the defense it was a scoreless tie at halftime. The offense came up clicking in the second half and put up 16 points which easily could have been 20 thanks to some special teams issues,
This week, Penn State Football must get the offense going early and often.
The worst thing you can do with a team who is more then a three touchdown underdog is let them hang around and start to believe they can actually win. Sean Clifford should have time in the pocket against a Ball State defense that managed only two sacks last week against Western Illinois and surrendered 367 yards through the air.
Dotson and this group of wide receivers should have a field day with this Ball State secondary. Western Illinois wideout Dennis Houston got the best of the Cardinals secondary to the tune of 12 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns.
It could be a firework show if Penn State Football can connect on more explosive plays Saturday.