James Franklin told his Penn State team after the win against Illinois that it needed to take a step forward. The head coach reiterated that message this week and said even at 4-0 there can’t be complacency within the Nittany Lions’ program.
“I don’t want to be one of those teams that waits until you have a loss for the wake-up call to happen and now you start doing all the little extra things and getting things corrected,” Franklin said.
If this is going to be a College Football Playoff team — and No. 7 Penn State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) sure looks the part so far — averaging seven penalties per game has to get cleaned up. If Penn State can eliminate some of the pre-snap issues it’s had on defense it would make life a little easier. It might not seem to matter much in a game like Saturday where the Nittany Lions are 27.5-point favorites against UCLA, but in the larger context of the season, it’s something to keep in mind.
UCLA (1-3, 0-2) heads to Happy Valley ranked last in the Big Ten in total offense (262 yards per game) and second to last in total defense (398.3 yards per game). There’s uncertainty surrounding the status of starting quarterback Ethan Garbers, who hasn’t been a full participant in practice this week. Backup quarterback Justyn Martin, a redshirt sophomore, attempted five passes in his collegiate career.
Add in a cross-country flight and a game that kicks at noon ET and DeShaun Foster’s team has much work to do. Welcome to life in the Big Ten. Here are four keys and a prediction.
Get rolling through the air
Penn State showed against Illinois that a powerful run game with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen is one way to win. We’ve seen the explosive plays through the air plenty of times this season, but it’s important to get Drew Allar into a rhythm and to connect on some more shots before next week’s trip to USC.
Penn State is 11th nationally in total offense, averaging 496.8 yards per game. What’s most interesting about that figure is how balanced Penn State has been. Penn State has amassed 1,004 rush yards to 983 pass yards. Averaging 7.56 yards per play is a noticeable uptick after averaging 5.60 and 6.19 the previous two years. There will be games Penn State will have to win through the air and though it won’t matter much in this one, that very well could be important against USC. Getting a strong first half from the first-team offense — and connecting with Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans in the process — would seem like an ideal start.
Keep building depth
Freshman offensive lineman Cooper Cousins and tight end Luke Reynolds are not taking redshirts this season. This could be the perfect opportunity to see both play extensively. Cousins’ versatility along the interior is going to make him extremely valuable in the years to come. Franklin said they hoped to have starting guard Sal Wormley back this week after Wormley sustained an injury against Illinois.
Realistically, they can get by without needing to use Wormley this week if they want. Getting an extended look at Cousins while continuing to work in Nolan Rucci at tackle can benefit this team come November and December. Seeing Reynolds play even more snaps would help do-it-all tight end Tyler Warren and his backup Khalil Dinkins stay a little more fresh headed into USC week.
Are there any first-quarter concerns for the defense?
Illinois marched down the field on the opening drive for their only touchdown of the game. In Week 2, Bowling Green scored 10 points in the first quarter and 24 points in the first half. Penn State’s defense — ranked fourth nationally surrendering 226.5 yards per game — has been fantastic. If there’s one area where it’s been a little off, it’s been those odd first quarters.
In both instances, there weren’t outward signs of panic from the defense after giving up points early. The sideline remained calm and since that Bowling Green game, defensive coordinator Tom Allen has moved up to the booth and analyst Dan Connor has been on the microphone with middle linebacker Kobe King.
“We don’t like to be there, but we’ve been there before,” defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas said of the early touchdown. “Kobe King had a lot of support for everybody on the sideline (after the touchdown). He was telling us to keep it together, keep your composure, we have a lot of football left to play.”
The defense showed last week there’s another level it can elevate to — and it got there in the second half. There’s a real possibility the defense takes this game over and in the process builds depth. Don’t be surprised if Franklin goes to rotations early on to try and get some of the younger players that they’re going to need this season — like safety Dejuan Lane and linebackers Ta’Mere Robinson and DaKaari Nelson — heavily involved early.
Try all the field goal options
Penn State’s field goal competition is unsettled after Sander Sahaydak missed a pair of 40-yard field goals against Illinois. Ryan Barker was brought on for an extra point late in the game after Sahaydak’s second miss.
Penn State brought in Chase Meyer, a transfer from Tulsa, for competition last winter. All offseason Sahaydak, Barker and Meyer have competed. It was close in the spring, but Franklin said slowly but surely Sahaydak took the lead. Based on the data Penn State compiled from practices, Sahaydak was the winner. Will anyone else get a look in a game now?
“I think everybody felt comfortable that that was the right decision,” Franklin said of Sahaydak winning the job. “We’ll factor all of that in this week in making the decision. It will be a competition. … You have to factor in the game data as well.”
Keep in mind
After Saturday, Penn State won’t be back in Beaver Stadium until Nov. 2. The UCLA game marks the end of a four-game Penn State home stretch. Once this game ends, look for next week to be sped up as the usual game-week routine will be adjusted because of the cross-country trip to USC. Players will be off Monday like usual, but the team leaves Thursday from Harrisburg to fly to Los Angeles.
Don’t forget about
The most recent Penn State-UCLA game, which took place in… 1968. The Nittany Lions’ 21-6 win was sparked by linebacker Jack Ham, who blocked a punt that turned into a 36-yard Penn State touchdown. The College and Pro Football Hall of Famer will be on the Penn State Radio Network as usual on Saturday.
Playoff implications
With USC on deck, this could be viewed as a trap game, but I struggle to see it considering all the challenges UCLA faces. But after the Penn State game ends, keep an eye on No. 11 USC at Minnesota (7:30 p.m. Saturday). The Gophers nearly upset No. 10 Michigan last week. USC (3-1, 1-1) is already playing for its Playoff life. Perhaps they get caught looking ahead to next week, too? Next Saturday is going to be a big one regardless, but if both Penn State and USC win this weekend there’s a massive opportunity for the Nittany Lions in Southern California.
Player we’ll be talking about Sunday
Linebacker Tony Rojas has 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. This could be a game where Rojas takes another step forward in his development as an impact player.
Prediction
The availability report will be key, but with or without Garbers this is a tall order for UCLA. A late touchdown could be in the fold for the Bruins, assuming Penn State jumps out to a large lead and starts pulling starters in the third quarter. Get in, get out and get ready for USC.
Penn State 40, UCLA 10
Photo of Drew Allar: Matthew O’Haren / Imagn Images
