Penn State Football: Reasons for worry … and for optimism in second half of season

Reason to Worry – Penn State Football’s Running Game

Unquestionably the number one thing holding this Penn State Football team back from being an elite team this season, and it’s been talked about numerous times, the running game.

This team is 10th in the conference in yards per carry with 3.7, and also 10th in rushing touchdowns with eight. However, only half of those eight rushing touchdowns have come from a running back (Noah Cain).

The blame can certainly be spread around, including to the running backs themselves, but the offensive line’s inability to consistently create running lanes is the primary factor.

During this bye week, addressing the running game issues is likely the number 1 focus of this coaching staff behind preparing Ta’Quan Roberson to potentially have to start. An improvement running the football would also help take some of the load off of Roberson, and force him to not have to do as much.

Illinois is second to last in the Big Ten in opponent’s rushing yards per attempt, and third last in total rushing touchdowns. So hopefully Penn State Football can have a good game running the football and have it be a tone-setter and confidence booster going forward.

It is clear by this point that this 2021 edition of Penn State Football is not a dominant running team by any stretch of the imagination, but unless they can show at least some improvements on the ground, it could be a long second half of the season on the offensive side of the football.