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Penn State Practice Highlights: Northwestern

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•09/27/23•

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JB Nelson Penn State Football
Penn State left guard JB Nelson drilling run techniques during Wednesday's practice before Northwestern. (Photo: Thomas Frank Carr/BWI)

These are your Penn State practice highlights from Blue White Illustrated, a weekly feature for fans to get a glimpse inside practice. Check out our look at the Nittany Lions each week as they prepare for their next opponent. This week, they face the Northwestern Wildcats.

Penn State running game headed for a big week?

There’s been a lot made about the Penn State offense’s lack of explosive plays, especially on the ground. Well, there’s a great antidote on the schedule: the Northwestern defense. This group has allowed 187.5 yards rushing per game and 20 plays of 10 or more yards on the ground.

If there was a get-right game on the schedule for the Penn State offense after facing two gritty, formidable defenses in a row, it is this one. It could be a quick game if Penn State can get Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen to the second level next week.

Despite their public perception, the Penn State coaching staff is pleased with its offensive line. In the last two games, either a single lineman or a group of starters was named the team MVP by James Franklin and his staff.

Like the running backs, Penn State’s offensive line should have an advantage on the ground in this upcoming game. This unit forced 97 plays on a tough Iowa defense last week, and they should have a much easier time against Northwestern’s front seven.

Is Trey Wallace healthy?

One of the biggest questions for the passing game this week is if starting wide receiver Trey Wallace will be back and at full strength. Franklin hinted that he was cleared, but not one hundred percent last week against Iowa.

“Yeah, I’ve been pleased with the group. I think we need to be more consistent as a total group. Some guys maybe more than others.”

“I think KeAndre has shown what he can do. Getting Trey back last week, although I wouldn’t even say he was necessarily 100 percent, but he was cleared and good to go, that was big for us, as well,” he said.

The Nittany Lions head into a bye after this upcoming game, so we’ll have to find out on game day how much they need Wallace before the break.

Finally, we’ll examine the Penn State defensive backs. Franklin called Northwestern quarterback Ben Bryant the best pure passer his team has faced this season. The Nittany Lion’s defensive backs have been lights out through most of four games, so it should be another area in the team with a distinct advantage. After pitching a historic shutout last week, we’re all eager to see how the defense follows that performance.

Those are your Penn State practice highlights; I’m Thomas Frank Carr.

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