Blue White Illustrated

Offensive line struggles in loss 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 There wasn't much in the way of en- lightenment in the cramped postgame interview room. Following a humbling 27-10 loss to Temple at Lincoln Financial Field, quick explanations were nearly impossible to come by – especially when the questions concerned the Nittany Lions' offensive line. Ten sacks allowed, just nine first downs, a mere 183 total yards of offense – all signs of a unit that bore an undesirable resemblance to the one that struggled so o?en in 2014. "Obviously I'm disappointed with the offensive line play," James Franklin said. "I do think they've improved, but it did not show today." Improvement was available in glimpses as the Lions built a 10-0 first-quarter lead, runs by Brandon Polk and Akeel Lynch providing first the spark and then the points, respectively, on the two scor- ing drives. But Franklin pointed to the Owls' first sack of Christian Hackenberg, coming on the first play of Penn State's third drive, for killing the Lions' momen- tum. "I thought that changed things," the coach said, and whether the change im- plied a defensive adjustment the Lions couldn't counter, a loss of confidence, or both, the results were evident. That drive ended with a punt, as did the next seven, before Hackenberg's third-quarter inter- ception ended the streak. The closest thing to an explanation Sat- urday evening was deserving praise from Penn State's head coach and players for the Owls' defense. "They played really well, and they had good schemes," said senior center Angelo Mangiro. Added Franklin, "We knew coming in, they had one of the top defenses in the country last year, 10 starters returning. I think they're going to give people some problems this year." Of course, Penn State fans only care about the problems the Owls gave Penn State. Franklin acknowledged the disap- pointment, and the fact that no matter how good Temple's D might be, the Lions' line had to be better than it showed Sat- urday. "Our best five are playing," Franklin assured reporters. "We spent a lot of time in the off-season talking about who our best five guys are going to be. But there were one or two times when they rushed three and dropped eight, and you shouldn't have pressure on your quarter- back then. So we'll look at it. Obviously there are some adjustments we're going to have to make." Explanations will have to wait, until game film has been absorbed and the visit of Buffalo next week provides a chance to show what they've learned. Until then, Mangiro, the senior member of the maligned group, offered what Penn State fans can hope is a simple truth. "I give them credit. They played well, we didn't," he said. "We have a good team. We'll bounce back." S E P t E m B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5 B l U E w h i t E o N l i N E . c o m 6 D I N N E I N S T Y L L E… 100 Cricklewood Drive State College, P 814-234-2424 gieinnandspa.com ne car 100 Cricklewood Drive A ollege, P PA 814-234-2424 gieinnandspa.com

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