Blue White Illustrated

CONFIDENCE BOOST Rushing performance is just what Penn State needed R Y A N   J O N E S | B L U E W H I T E c O N T R I B U T O R The state of Penn State's rushing game this season is such that a single first- quarter run Saturday by Akeel Lynch felt like a breakthrough. By half time, that hunch felt like a sure thing. It was just one game, coming against what looks like one of the most porous defenses in the nation, but the Nittany Lion rushing game finally established it- self Saturday in a 48-7 rout of UMass. A?er Lynch provided the early spark, Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak scored two touchdowns apiece in a game-deciding second quarter. The Lions, who came in averaging a shade over 75 rushing yards per game, finished the first half with 149 yards on the ground, and 228 for the day. Yes, they needed that. "It's a stepping stone, definitely a step- ping stone," Lynch said a?er rushing for a team-best 81 yards on eight carries. "The problems and concerns with the run game, we as running backs took that on our shoulders. We didn't point no fin- gers. We just said, 'You know what? Let's do our job.' " They did just that on Saturday, and James Franklin enjoyed it as much as any- one. "You guys kept asking me about the running game and when it was going to show up," Franklin said. "I wasn't really sure when it was going to show up. We just stuck to our game plan and kept at it." Lynch was the first to be rewarded for that perseverance. He got more than half of his yards on a 46-yard first-quarter scamper down the right sideline, a run that had many wondering if more carries for the talented Canadian might solve the Lions' rushing woes. Perhaps inspired, Belton and Zwinak soon showed that everybody was going to have fun at the expense of the Minutemen. Belton fin- ished with seven carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns, the first a ni?y cutback that showcased his speed, strength and agility. Zwinak totaled just 28 yards on his nine rushes, but two of those carries ended in the end zone. "We've got three backs we feel really good about," Franklin said. "I think they've all shown they've got the ability to make plays in this offense. I think we're going to have to use all three of those guys all year long." Of course, the ball carriers haven't re- ally been the issue. Saturday brought a welcome break from scrutiny for the Lions' offensive line, which has carried the brunt of the blame for Penn State's early-season ground struggles. Their success Saturday had less to do with any changes – although Derek Dowrey did start in place of Brian Gaia at guard – than with the opponent, and the benefit of another week working together. "The line did a nice job today," Belton said. "They jelled really well. They just have to keep it up." Franklin cited the strong blocking of the Lions' tight ends in helping extend the UMass defense sideline to sideline, but ultimately, this was about taking ad- vantage of an overmatched defense. The trick, as the schedule toughens over the coming weeks, will be to repeat the feat. "I don't think there's any doubt it helps with our confidence," Franklin said. "But we haven't shown that we're able to do that on a consistent basis. That's the next step." G A M E G R A D E S QUARTERBACKSIt wasn't Christian Hackenberg's finest day, but as it turned out, he didn't have to do much. He didn't pass for a touchdown, but he did- n't throw any interceptions, either, be- fore D.J. Crook came in for the close. GRADEB RUNNING BACKSBill Belton and Zach Zwinak each scored two touchdowns, while Akeel Lynch also punched one in. Between those three and Cole Chiappi- alle, they totaled 220 yards. GRADEA RECEIVERSGeno Lewis and DaeSean Hamilton continue to make a case as the best pass-catching tandem in the Big Ten. GRADEA OFFENSIVE LINEIt wasn't perfect, but compared to the first three games, this was a completely different-looking unit. (And not just at left guard, where Derek Dowrey started in place of Brian Gaia.) GRADEB DEFENSIVE LINEFrom the starters – Austin Johnson recovered a fumble – to the backups - Tarow Barney forced one – to the third-stringers – Garret Sickels tallied a sack – the defensive line had its way with an outmatched offensive line the entire day. GRADEA+ LINEBACKERSNyeem Wartman and Mike Hull teamed up to wallop receiver Tajae Sharpe in the second quarter and force a fumble that PSU recovered and eventu- ally turned into a 20-0 lead. Gary Wooten, too, had a few strong plays in the second half. GRADEA- DEFENSIVE BACKSOther than the late touchdown, there wasn't much to com- plain about with this group. Discount that late 77-yard TD, and PSU held the UMass passing game to just 186 yards. GRADEB+ SPECIAL TEAMSSam Ficken converted both of his two field goal attempts – both from 40 or more yards out – and booted all but one of his kickoffs into the end zone for a touchback. GRADEA COACHES Maybe it didn't have the best week of practice, but Penn State was ready to play as soon as it came out of the gates. GRADEA CROWDThe announced crowd of 99,155 might have been a little generous. But fans seemed to be enjoying themselves until a large portion headed toward the exits before the fourth quarter began. Who's to blame them? PSU was up by 48. GRADEB+ Steve Manuel S E P T E m B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O m 6 BIG PUSH Lynch finished with a team- best 81 yards on eight carries.

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