Is the gate closing on Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions?
The first half of the season has been a blink of an eye for most programs; however, it has been a drawn-out yawner for Nittany Lions fans. With a sputtering offense (ranked 107th in scoring) and virtually no ground game (ranked 85th in rushing), the Nittany Lions are welcoming a much needed bye week.
After opening the first half of the season with a disappointing 3-3 record and posting its first consecutive 20 point losses since the 1980’s, there is warranted doubt about the state of the offense. Being at the mid-point, it’s time to evaluate and grade the offense (the defensive report card is forthcoming) and the outlook is grim.
QUARTERBACKS
By the Numbers: In 6 games, Robert Bolden has completed 96 of 171 passes (56.1%) for 1,177 yards. He has thrown 4 TD passes, rushed for 1 TD, and threw an astonishing 7 INTs. Back-up Kevin Newsome saw limited action in 5 out of 6 games this season, completing 6 out of 13 passes (46.2%) with no TDs.
Analysis: Bolden is a true freshman, so it’s hard to fault him for his horrific TD to INT ratio, but since he is the best of the bunch, I’m going to blame him anyway. He has shown his strong arm, his ability to take hits, and a sense of maturity atypical for a true freshman, but he still makes ill-advised decisions forcing throws especially in the red zone. Aside from his inexperience, a major part of the problem is a leaky front seven.
Once the offensive line gels and the running game picks-up, the doubters will understand why he was tapped as the starter. The biggest disappointment out of the bunch is back-up Kevin Newsome. He had all the expectations in the world and should have learned a lot under Daryll Clark, but unfortunately he has fallen short this season.
Grade: C+
RUNNING BACKS
By the Numbers: Penn State’s backfield was supposed to be among the nation’s elite with Heisman candidate Evan Royster leading a deep and talented backfield. However, collectively they have failed miserably. It’s safe to say Evan Royster will walk out of Penn State as the school’s career rushing leader, but he is just not contributing as the offense had hoped. This season, he rushed 78 times for a paltry 388 yards with one lone TD–not Heisman numbers by any stretch of the imagination, let alone worthy of elite status. Back-up Stephfon Green amassed 130 yards in 38 carries with 1 TD and freshman speedster Silas Redd garnered 102 yards off of 20 carries with no TDs.
Analysis: Heading into the season, the ground game was supposed to be the bread and butter of the offense. Instead, it’s nonexistent. The O-line is not creating holes for any of the tailbacks. The biggest underachiever is Royster. He has sub-par numbers, no sideline leadership, and lacks any enthusiasm. On paper, the running backs should be solid, but in reality, they have been everything but spectacular.
Grade: D-
WIDE RECEIVERS
By the Numbers: Derek Moye (6’5) and Brett Brackett (6’6) are posting solid numbers for a very inept offense. Moye has 22 receptions for 377 yards (17.1 avg.) and a TD. Brackett has 21 catches for 292 yards (13.9 avg.) and 2 TDs this season. Justin Brown (6’3, 13 catches for 190 yards), Graham Zug (6’2, 4 catches for 49 yards), and Devon Smith (5’7, 17 catches for 198 yards) all add depth to a very strong wide receiving corp.
Comments: The wide receivers have dropped some easy passes, but you cannot blame them considering the erratic play calling. The wide receivers would certainly be lights-out if Penn State’s running game had any consistency. Defenses know PSU has no ground game, which enables opposing teams to focus on stopping any aerial attack. WRs Moye and Brackett are both tall, fast, have great hands, and should continue to make plays. Unfortunately, their current lack of success is directly related to the lack of a ground game. On any other well balanced team, these receivers would be garnering huge numbers.
Grade: B
OFFENSIVE LINE
By the Numbers: The O-line is a mess. It seems there is a different starting line-up for every game. The line is ravaged with injuries, and aside from Wisniewski, Barham, and Klopacz, there isn’t a lot of consistency. Penn State is struggling on offense, and the heart of the problem deals with the hogmollies up front.
Comment: The coaching staff cannot seem to find the right mix of players. The O-line has been atrocious to say the least, providing little running room for Royster. The entire lack of offensive production starts and finishes with the O-line. The Nittany Lions should be very worried that the line still struggles and lacks identity midway through the season.
Grade: F
OVERALL
The offensive line is getting out-muscled in the trenches, the team is at or near the basement for offensive scoring, red zone scoring (20 times in the red zone: 6 TDs, 8 FGs), and last in almost every other offensive statistical category in the Big 10. Through 6 games, there has been no improvement. The offense is flat, sucking the air out of the spirit of the Nittany Lions nation and quite frankly making the team very boring to watch. When PSU faced Alabama, Temple, and Iowa, the offense scored a combined 1 TD in those 3 games. What’s even more puzzling than the lack of production is the bizarre play calling that resulted in several 3rd-and-long situations in which the Lions’ vanilla offense failed to convert. Prior to the season, a BCS bowl birth was a legitimate possibility, but at this point, making any bowl game would be a near-miracle.
It’s no wonder the roar of “Joe Must Go” is getting a little louder in Happy Valley. Hopefully, JoePa can dust off one of his old playbooks, take a few chances, and let loose some of the untapped talent on the sidelines, as there are still 6 more games to prove it’s not time for Joe to go.
Overall Offensive Grade: D+
