Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Penn State Football: 3 Questions Answered by the Offensive Line

By Andrew Adair

Penn State Football Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein talks on the sideline during the second quarter at SHI Stadium on December 5, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Penn State defeated Rutgers 23-7. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
Penn State Football Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein talks on the sideline during the second quarter at SHI Stadium on December 5, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Penn State defeated Rutgers 23-7. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

Can Penn State Revitalize its Rushing Attack?

PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 19: Running back Kaytron Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is congratulated by teammates Tyler Warren #44, Juice Scruggs #70 and Drew Shelton #66 after scoring a touchdown on an eight-yard run during the third quarter of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Penn State defeated Rutgers 55-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 19: Running back Kaytron Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is congratulated by teammates Tyler Warren #44, Juice Scruggs #70 and Drew Shelton #66 after scoring a touchdown on an eight-yard run during the third quarter of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Penn State defeated Rutgers 55-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Penn State Football was one of the worst teams in the country in 2021 when it came to running the ball. The offense only managed a measly 3.2 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns on the ground. It was the worst season running the ball that a James Franklin-led Penn State team has had.

In 2022, that number rose to a much more respectable 4.7 yards per carry and 25 rushing touchdowns. Sure, some of this improvement can be attributed to the arrival of Nicolas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. But this rushing attack was visibly different.

There were actual running lanes that allowed those stud running backs to get to the second and third level of the defense. You could tell that the coaching staff is finally improving this unit to the level it needs to be at.

According to Pro Football Focus, Center Juice Scruggs was the best run blocker on the offensive line. No real surprise there, as he is the anchor of this position group. Bryce Effner was second and Sal Wormley was graded as third-best as a run blocker.

Keeping the rushing attack strong will be key moving forward. 2023 will be the highly anticipated Drew Allar year. There is nothing better for a young quarterback than a solid running game.

Home/Penn State Football