James Franklin gives review of Mike Yurcich's first year, outlook of Penn State's offense in year two

Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich would be the first one to admit that his first season at Penn State did not meet expectations, head coach James Franklin said.

Yurcich came into Happy Valley with a sparkling reputation, having succeeded at every previous stop.

The Penn State offense did not exhibit the exhilarating dynamism many hoped to see. Instead, it looked slow, unexplosive and — most importantly — below average.

The Nittany Lions averaged 25 points per game in 2021, ranking in the bottom half of the FBS and ninth in the 14-team Big Ten.

“I think Mike would be the first one to tell you that he had greater and higher expectations of the way things played out,” Franklin said Monday as the Nittany Lions opened spring practice.

After an offseason of reflection, Franklin spoke optimistically about what Penn State can do on offense in 2022.

“Moving forward, I am comfortable and I am confident, and I know [Yurcich] is as well,” Franklin said. “I think we can make significant strides this year.”

Link: Recap James Franklin’s Monday press conference

That has to start with the running game, Franklin said.

The Nittany Lions averaged only 3.2 yards per carry last season, a mark that ranked second-to-last in the Big Ten. Only Purdue struggled more to move the ball on the ground.

Penn State suffered from a bizarre inability to generate anything explosive on the ground whatsoever. The Nittany Lion offensive line received the majority of the fan criticism for that, but the running back room wasn’t exactly teeming with explosive athleticism, either.

“We have to get the run game going,” Franklin said. “That’s my job as the head coach is to make sure that we do the things necessary in the offseason and during spring ball so that it can [get going]. Everybody kind of takes the responsibility there. I think if we can get the run game going, which we will, I think that’s going to make us much more explosive in our play-action pass, the [run-pass-option] game.”

Penn State will attempt to rejuvenate its running game behind a new-look offensive line this spring.

The Nittany Lions enter spring practice with three new names atop the depth chart: Olu Fahsanu at left tackle, Landon Tengwall at left guard and Sal Wormley at right guard. Juice Scruggs shifts from guard to center, while Caedan Wallace retains his spot at left tackle.

That running order is certainly subject to change as spring wears on. Transfer Hunter Nourzad — who will play on the interior — is set to join the fold this summer, as are freshmen Drew Shelton and Maleek McNeil.

Link: Penn State adds former head coach to off-field staff

Highly touted running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton enrolled early and are on campus for spring practice. Singleton earned five-star status from the On3 Consensus and won the Gatorade National Player of the Year award.

Franklin said he feels it’s too early to know how much Singleton and Allen will contribute in the fall, but the Nittany Lions will rotate their running backs all spring.

“We’re excited about that group, the guys that are coming back and the experience that they’ve gained and the things that they need to improve on,” Franklin said. “And then the infusion of two guys coming in at mid-semester that were very well thought of nationally.”

Penn State never really landed on a talisman at running back last season. Keyvone Lee led the group with 108 carries, followed by Noah Cain at 106 and John Lovett at 52. Cain transferred to LSU, while Lovett’s eligibility expired.

Whether it’s Lee, one of the freshmen, Devyn Ford or Caziah Holmes — or some combination of the five — Penn State’s offense would benefit greatly from a more productive running game, in Franklin’s mind.

“It’s going to help our offensive line and take the pressure off them, as well as our quarterback, that people feel like they have to defend our entire offense,” Franklin said. “I think we’re heading in the right direction, there’s no doubt about it. Obviously we’ve had great discussions in the offseason in terms of our personnel, how to play to our strengths, things that we have to develop and improve on.”