Blue White Illustrated

On opposite side of the ball, Penn State went into its game against Temple with the Big Ten's worst rushing de- fense, having allowed 491 yards on 87 attempts and three touchdowns. The Lions had allowed 19 running plays of 10-plus yards. The Panthers were able to average 6.1 yards per carry and 5n- ished the game with 341 yards on the ground, plunged Penn State to 116th in Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing defense. With Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan State all headed to Beaver Stadium later this season, the Lions need to com- pletely reverse that trend. Finding a solid rotation at defensive tackle has to be one of Pry's biggest priorities in October and November. The performance of Penn State's de- fensive tackles against both Kent State and Pitt was unacceptable. The Lions' gap control in those games was abysmal, especially in the loss to Pitt. "Lineman keys and gap accountability were our biggest issues [against the Pan- thers]," Franklin said. "The defensive line not being gap accountable with their big, physical o7ensive line and then consistency tackling [were prob- lems]. "If you're a defensive tackle and you've got the A-gap, or you get the C-gap, or whatever it may be, you cannot allow the o7ensive lineman to wall you o7 from your gap. Because now you allow the linebacker con6ict where he knows he's responsible for the A-gap, but he sees that the B-gap is wide open, and now he's in con6ict." Penn State's gap control was a big problem throughout the 5rst half against Pitt. It was the main reason why the Panthers averaged more than 8 yards per carry in the half. The Nittany Lions' defensive tackles did a much better job in the second half, holding Pitt to 115 yards rushing in the last two quarters. But even if that second half was more indicative of their potential than the 5rst, the Lions could have trouble slow- ing down teams like Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan State, all of which have strong rushing attacks. Much better gap control is needed from all the players on Penn State's de- fensive line, not just the tackles. What's also needed is for everyone to stay healthy. This is an inexperienced group, and it can't afford to have quality play- ers such as redshirt freshman Kevin Givens miss games due to injuries. Parker Cothren needs to step up and become a leader at the one-technique defensive tackle position, and Pry needs to find a solid rotation at both DT spots. Penn State also has to 5nd a way to piece its battered linebacker corps back together. It appears as though middle linebacker Jason Cabinda could be out of the lineup until October, and as of this writing, it was unclear how much time Brandon Bell and Wartman-White will miss. Taking Bell's place outside will be Manny Bowen. A sophomore, Bowen had a solid performance against Pitt, to- taling 5ve tackles and one tackle for loss. But in Cabinda's absence, sophomore Jake Cooper will have to play a more prominent role, and true freshman Cameron Brown will likely have to give up what might otherwise have been a redshirt year. For Penn State to develop any consis- tency at linebacker, Cabinda, Wartman- White and Bell have to return to the lineup as quickly as possible. If those players miss extensive action, it could prove impossible for the Nittany Lions to reach their potential. Even if all the above takes place on de- fense, the o7ense will need to be bal- anced throughout the rest of the season. The only way that can happen is if the Lions show they are willing and able to throw the ball early in games to take ad- vantage of the eight-man fronts that op- posing defensive coordinators will use to keep Barkley contained. If McSorley and his receivers prove they can exploit these kinds of defenses, opponents will have no choice but to back o7. It won't be an easy task, but it's not a "Mission: Impossible" scenario, either – not with the skill position talent that Penn State has amassed the past few years. ■

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