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Flaws catch up to Lions

UNIVERSITY PARK – In two of its first four games this season, against Central Florida and Rutgers, Penn State was trailing in the final two minutes only to be rescued by late-game heroics.

That apparently built a false sense of security for the Nittany Lions, who were totally unmasked and admittedly unprepared for a Northwestern team that dominated the second half, won 29-6 and ruined an otherwise glorious homecoming Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

“We weren’t ready to play today,” James Franklin quickly declared following the first defeat of his Nittany Lion tenure.

If only it were that simple.

There’s no question the Lions did not play with the urgency they displayed against UCF and in rallying at Rutgers, but they were able to get away without a running game in those games and in teasing the Nittany Nation with a 4-0 start.

With Michigan on tap next following an obviously needed bye week, murmurs started of the Lions’ welcome mat reading 6-0 for Ohio State’s visit on Oct. 25.

To that end, Saturday’s loss should help Penn State understand it wasn’t as good as its 4-0 record and may not be as good as its 4-1 record.

“We’ve started some games slow, and we’ve been able to come back,” Franklin said. “You can only do that so many times before it comes back to haunt you.”

To that end, Halloween got here a little early as the Lions were spooked and sprung leaks all over the field Saturday.

They can’t run the ball at all, their offensive line is having serious trouble protecting Christian Hackenberg and is in desperate need of reinforcements they apparently don’t have, the special teams are average at best, and the combination was too much for the defense to shoulder.

And yet, despite opening the game with five straight punts, followed by a blocked field goal, Penn State still only trailed 14-6 entering the fourth quarter.

In crediting a defense that hung almost as tough as it has all year, Hackenberg said, “We definitely had enough chances.”

There’s no doubt. Northwestern, at least for three quarters, was a most gracious guest as it repeatedly helped keep the Lions in the game.

The Wildcats were riverboat gamblers, faking a field goal with a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and showing no patience. Ditto when they inexplicably roughed the punter late in the second quarter with a chance to take a three-score lead before halftime. To boot, they gave the Lions field position with a personal foul on the punt returner in the third quarter.

Northwestern committed eight penalties, but Penn State must prefer its gifts wrapped.

Some of the Lions’ troubles stem from a lack of identity they can’t establish because they need gimmicks to replace a real running game.

“We’re too one dimensional right now,” Franklin said.

Consequently, they’re trying to run the wildcat, which puts the team’s best offensive player (Hackenberg) exposed on the perimeter, and at one point, they had Bill Belton trying to throw a touchdown pass from a rolling pocket.

“We have to understand what our identities are and be able to do well what we do well,” Hackenberg said, realizing it was complicated but choosing not to elaborate.

Before he left the media room with a slight limp, it was clear Hackenberg isn’t panicking.

“We’re 4-1, and we didn’t necessarily play our best football today,” he said.

Franklin pledged it will improve before thanking the 102,910 who made their way.

“I take full responsibility,” he said, “and I promise and guarantee we’ll get it fixed.”

Saturday may have been just one loss, but it felt like more, created a lengthy fix-it list and, as October dawns, should have left the blue and white faithful feeling fortunate for the four wins they do have.

Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.

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