Penn State open practice highlights: Penn State needs explosive plays

On3 imageby:Thomas Frank Carr09/29/22

ThomasFrankCarr

Penn State football held an open practice for the media this week, and Blue White Illustrated has highlights from the event. Subscribe to BWI on YouTube, so you don’t miss a second of the action!

Penn State open practice highlights

This week, Thomas Frank Carr takes you through his observations of the offense in practice. He focuses on the upcoming game’s two main components: the tight ends and the deep passing game. First he explains how important tight end Brenton Strange is for Penn State’s success in the passing game and on the ground. Next, he highlights how Strange’s emergence has overshadowed an issue at the position through the first month of the season that could play a factor this weekend. Both backup tight ends Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren have dealt with issues this season.

Next, he discusses what he thinks Penn State should do to win the game on Saturday and to show teams down the road what the Nittany Lions’ offense is capable of. Explosive plays have been a feature of the Penn State ground game, but not through the air. T-Frank gives a telling stat about starter Sean Clifford and explains how that needs to improve, starting this week against Northwestern if backup quarterback Drew Allar is to see the field early on Saturday.

The issues aren’t all on Clifford, though. Once again, he highlights the receiver’s struggles to get separation and an overall lack of one key element on offense to take the team to another level.

More from Penn State open practice below.


James Franklin talks Sean Clifford durability, Northwestern, more: Notebook

Penn State head coach James Franklin met with the media following practice Wednesday evening. Rain pushed the Nittany Lions inside Holuba Hall midway through practice, and, consequently, Franklin’s regular midweek Q&A was too.

Tackling topics ranging from Coziah Izzard’s availability (after missing the first four games) and Hunter Nourzad’s recovery from injury, to the running back rotation, and more, Franklin provided updates as the Nittany Lions get set to face Northwestern on Saturday afternoon.

Here’s a look at some of the news, notes, and observations to come from Franklin’s press conference:

Sean Clifford’s durability

Coming out of a first four games that have included several memorable hits on Sean Clifford, beginning at Purdue, continuing through Auburn with Owen Pappoe’s big shot, and into this past weekend against Central Michigan, Franklin was asked about the sixth-year senior’s durability. 

Having sustained injuries previously during his Penn State playing career, Clifford has been “good,” according to Franklin.

“Yeah, I think he’s been good. To your point, the way we’ve been able to get him out of almost every game, and that’s valuable. It’s valuable,” Franklin said. “So far, so good. He’s in a really good position. Probably as good as he’s been at this point in the season. Knock on wood.”

Read the rest here.

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