Penn State open practice highlights: Indiana week
Penn State football opened up practice Wednesday evening to let the media view the team’s progress. The Nittany Lions face Indiana this week in a bounce-back game after losing to Ohio State. Check out Blue White Illustrated’s view of the events heading into the weekend, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Penn State offensive line issues heading into final month
Penn State lost to Ohio State in large part because they couldn’t block Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuiomolau. The team was down two starters entering the game, and left tackle Olu Fashanu came out of the game in the final drive and didn’t return. Where does this leave the banged-up Nittany Lions heading into a road contest with Indiana?
Swing tackle Bryce Effner kicked over to left tackle, and backup Jimmy Christ got his chance on the right side. Without Landon Tengwall on the interior, Penn State stretched beyond the seven offensive linemen it played this season. The good news is that Indiana sits eighth in the big ten with 112 total defensive pressures, according to PFF. Defensive end Alfred Bryant can be an issue, as can blitzing linebacker Aaron Casey.
Indiana is also a team that has confused and frustrated the Penn State offense in the past. While he’s tossed seven touchdowns, quarterback Sean Clifford has also thrown three interceptions against the Hoosiers in his three starts. According to PFF’s turnover-worthy play stat, Clifford has put the ball in harm’s way five times in three games. After a four-turnover game last week in a loss to Ohio State, fans are already restless with the sixth-year quarterback.
However, Penn State’s offense has moved the ball effectively in the last two weeks. If Indiana stays pat on offense coming out of its bye week, they’ll be hard-pressed to find success against Penn State’s defense, and the offense should have plenty of chances to rack up points.
