Penn State must focus on fixing persistent problems like ones that popped up in Outback Bowl loss: One big thing

Tampa, Fla. — Penn State started the 2021 season with a perfect 5-0 mark.

It ended the year with a 24-10 loss to Arkansas in the Outback Bowl to finish 7-6.

The second half of the season was not kind to head coach James Franklin’s Nittany Lions. They lost defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher for the season after the Iowa game. In it, they also lost Sean Clifford for much of the contest, and the quarterback wasn’t healthy in a loss to Illinois two weeks later.

Penn State’s 2021 season will be remembered for how bad the second half of it was compared to all of the positivity that surrounded the start. Fairly or not, that is what will be discussed most as the months of waiting for a new schedule of games begins.

“Not what we had hoped for,” Franklin said. “Obviously did some really good things early on. Made some huge plays, made some big-time wins in some tough environments on the road to start the season. had some injuries that we weren’t able to overcome quickly enough. But we’re responsible for all that. I get it. But, overall, I’m proud of the guys in that locker room. You know, not only as players; a lot of moving parts of the staff as well, which wasn’t brought up. A lot of moving parts there as well but that’s part of college football now.

“I’m very, very appreciative of the guys in that locker room. Players, coaches, staff, and everybody else. But yeah, I get it. It’s a fair question. We started out 5-0, did some great things, and weren’t able to finish the season the way we wanted to. We have some things to work on. We’ll get it fixed.”

Penn State must fix familiar problems

Penn State will only improve in 2022 if it can fix the problems that routinely plagued it in 2021.

It starts with fixing the offense. Mike Yurcich was brought in to do that, but year one was a disappointment. The Lions could not run the football effectively. Clifford had an up and down year even when he was healthy. Drops were at times a problem. And any kind of rhythm was rare on game day. Whether it’s through the transfer portal or via Class of 2022 signees, there is no question that Penn State must infuse some new talent into its attack by the time an opener at Purdue rolls around next September.

Beyond that, new coordinator Manny Diaz will have many decisions to make as he implements his scheme into the Penn State defense. At minimum, he will need at least two new defensive line starters, two first-time linebacker starters, and first-teamers at corner and safety. Better tackling must be a priority, as that’s an area the team has struggled in over the last few seasons and certainly in this one, as well. Generating a more consistent pass rush will be critical, too.

Finally, the Lions have something to work with as Parker Washington looks capable of taking over at punt returner. But, assuming Jordan Stout is gone, Penn State will need to figure out who its primary punter, kickoff specialist, and field goal kicker will be. It’s unlikely that Jake Pinegar can handle all three as Stout did.

All told, 2022 must be an offseason of positive change for the Lions. A tremendous start led to an uneven and lackluster finish in 2021. It was the opposite of how the 2020 season played out.

College football is a hard sport to win consistently in. But, Penn State has the pieces to do so. Now, it must reboot and put them all together as James Franklin prepares for his ninth season as the leader of the Lions.