Penn State practice highlights: Illinois
These are your Penn State football practice highlights; I’m Thomas Frank Carr. Check out a fresh look at the Nittany Lions weekly on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel. Penn State heads into its first Big Ten game this year against Illinois on Saturday. Usually, this isn’t a game that Penn State fans find as interesting. But fans remember the loss that unraveled the 2021 season two years ago, where Illinois racked up 357 yards rushing on the way to a historic 20-18 victory in nine overtime games.
There have been questions all year long about the team’s defensive stoutness up front, especially at defensive tackle. However, head coach James Franklin says he’s been happy with his front seven this year and thinks that they’ve done well to execute their assignments overall.
Penn State doesn’t need to stop every run for no gain; they just need to get critical stops to put the Illinois offense in a position where they can’t convert short third downs consistently.
Does Penn State running game have the chance to break one?
Much has been made about the Penn State running game not breaking off big runs through the season’s first two games. Part of that is because they’ve faced conservative defenses content with giving up chunks of yardage but keeping a lid on big plays. Illinois isn’t like that. They play aggressive single-high coverages that stack the box but allow more leeway for big plays if Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen break into the open field. We’re not saying Penn State will break a big run this week, but the situation is more favorable than it was to start the year.
From a scheme perspective, this is an excellent time for the duo to prove themselves the superstars they’ve been billed to be. However, there’s a fine line between that and pressing too much.
All eyes on Allar (again)
Yet Penn State has shown that it’s not a one-trick offense. What did you think we wouldn’t show you and talk about Drew Allar? According to PFF, the fresh-faced starter has been incredibly efficient through the first two games of the season, compiling a 90% adjusted completion percentage.
Last week, he was responsible and mature, completing the passes the Delaware defense gave him. Some quarterbacks get and thrown the ball into dangerous windows, but Allar resisted the urge to do so.
This week, he’ll likely face a different challenge. Can he fit the ball into tight, man-coverage windows? Each week, there’s a new question to ask and answer with the first-time starter. As always, we can’t wait to find out. Those are Penn State practice highlights, I’m Thomas Frank Carr.
