Film Study - Penn State Run Defense vs. Arkansas

[CaliLion79]

OUTBACK BOWL FILM STUDY

See Link. Considering the circumstances going in, I think most of us expected this to happen. But it was discouraging to see we didn't have a counter to Arkansas' adjustments at halftime. 200+ yards on the ground in the second half and 1 through the air? That's service academy type of stuff. Also, I found it humorous for all the talk about starters out and inexperience in this video that there are 3-4 clips where it's Luketa, a senior, overrunning the play or not triggering downhill, like on the Jefferson 3rd quarter TD. If the coaching staff intended to move him back to LB next year instead of keeping him at DE, then I'm kind of glad he's testing the NFL waters.

 

[VaDave4PSU]

My biggest issue is that we didn't try to go 8-9 in the box other than 1 play. The moment we did, Ark threw a quick 5-7 yard pass best I remember and we had our CBs 10 yards off the ball.

Getting gouged for 110 yards in one quarter by a QB with zero adjustment is playing not to lose bad. 5 DL, 4 LB, do something.

Also doesn't hurt that we misses 3 TFL in the 3rs quarter that would have changed the play calling.

 

[Woodpecker]

My biggest issue is that we didn't try to go 8-9 in the box other than 1 play. The moment we did, Ark threw a quick 5-7 yard pass best I remember and we had our CBs 10 yards off the ball.

Getting gouged for 110 yards in one quarter by a QB with zero adjustment is playing not to lose bad. 5 DL, 4 LB, do something.

Also doesn't hurt that we misses 3 TFL in the 3rs quarter that would have changed the play calling.

I'm not sure what adjustment was needed. The problem wasn't scheme, it was execution. Some guys took themselves out of position and others simply did not make the plays that were presented to them.

 

[PSUFTG]

I'm not sure what adjustment was needed. The problem wasn't scheme, it was execution. Some guys took themselves out of position and others simply did not make the plays that were presented to them.

Aside from, possibly, Jacobs, there was not a single member of the defensive front seven who played at a level anywhere near what it would take to beat a quality Big Ten opponent. And none of them looked like "well, maybe once they get a bit more playing time they will emerge" type of guys. That is, obviously, a problem. Yes, I know, opt-outs and all that stuff - but those opt-outs are not going to re-appear on the roster come September.
And the defense was - relative to the offense - the better of the two units. Yikes!