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Penn State practice Highlights: Indiana

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•10/26/23•

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Penn State quarterback Drew Allar throwing passes during red zone work on Wednesday. (Photo: Thomas Frank Carr/BWI)

The Penn State offense bottomed out last week against Ohio State. Can they rebound? We’ll start the clock for this weekend on today’s Penn State practice highlights. Check out our view into practice with the embedded video or on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel. Below is a transcript of the feature.

Penn State practice highlights

By this time, you know the numbers that sunk Penn State’s offense. The team was 0-15 on third down until the final minute of the game, and they failed to score more than six points while the game was in striking distance. So, how do they get back on track? Against Indiana, things will be easier, but the signs of life need to be more than just a point total in this game.

While the quarterback gets most of the attention, the receivers struggled to separate last week against Ohio State’s off-coverage. Finding a solution at receiver has taken more than half of the season, and it seems the team is still searching for answers. The tight ends had 39 yards after the catch on Saturday, which was just over half of the team’s total on two plays.

Finding ways to get the skill players open in space is paramount to the health of the offense going forward.

Pass pro letdown on the mend?

However, the pass protection was also an issue that held the team back as well. The Nittany Lions had been good up front through most of the season, but Ohio State cracked the code that led to one sack, three quarterback hits, and multiple plays where quarterback Drew Allar had to get rid of the football. Fixing the middle of the offensive line for the second half of the season will be critical, and getting JB Nelson back in the lineup may help.

Finally, Allar’s pocket presence and poise under pressure came under fire last weekend. Can he regain that level-headed approach we saw from him through six games? The Indiana defense toys with the mind of quarterbacks, using unorthodox coverages to confuse passers. Allar hasn’t given the ball to the other team yet, but he needs to help deliver more points for Penn State to rebound and finish the season strong.

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