×

Scoring TDs inside 20 a priority

UNIVERSITY PARK – Five things to look for as Penn State looks to remain unbeaten and welcomes back thousands of alumni for homecoming against Northwestern.

No.1: Red zone

We need to be realistic about what we saw with PSU’s running game last week against UMass. There is still A LOT of work to be done to get the ground game up to speed, and that process can continue today.

However, if the Lions have trouble running again, then the old bugaboo of the red zone could be a big issue today. Penn State has scored TDs on only 8-of-18 trips inside the red zone, and the number is just 3-of-12 not counting the UMass rout.

Young receivers Geno Lewis and DaeSean Hamilton have been terrific with a combined 55 catches, but only one of those has gone for a touchdown. And as good as Christian Hackenberg is in most areas, he still has more interceptions (5) than TD passes (4) so far.

The passing game needs to figure out a way to get the ball into the end zone because, let’s face it, the running game likely will continue to have issues with that all season.

No. 2: Fast start

Northwestern is not a good team, and the easiest way to dispose of this kind of competition is to jump out in front early and discourage the opponent.

It’s homecoming, there will be a big crowd of more than 100,000, and the students need to show up on time and get in their seats to help the offense click in the first quarter. The defense usually does – it hasn’t allowed a first-quarter point in the past seven games – but it would be a good sign to have the offense set the tone.

No. 3: Tight coverage

Northwestern’s passing attack usually excels with quick-hitting stuff or misdirection, but the Wildcats have really struggled throwing it this season.

PSU has better athletes in the secondary than Northwestern does at receiver, so keeping the cornerbacks tight at the line of scrimmage and having the linebackers quickly read their keys underneath should frustrate quarterback Trevor Siemian.

Along with that strategy, look for PSU defensive coordinator Bob Shoop to blitz a lot. If Siemian has nowhere to go with the ball and no time to make decisions, the Lions’ defense can maintain control.

No. 4: Wear ’em down

This is a great stat, courtesy of the Allentown Morning Call’s Mark Wogenrich: PSU has outscored Northwestern 118-20 in the second half over the past six meetings.

Translation: The Lions wear down the Wildcats and whoop them in the second half.

Look for more of the same today.

No. 5: Who to watch

Penn State: Offensive line: Was last week’s success running the ball just a fluke against an overmatched opponent? We’ll find out today, although it’s not like Northwestern has a big, physical defense that can cause a lot of problems.

Northwestern: QB Trevor Siemian: He’s the Wildcats’ only hope, and he will have to play much, much better than he has so far this season to succeed against PSU’s defense. He’s completing only 59.1 percent) with two TDs and three interceptions.

Prediction: Penn State 27, Northwestern 16

Follow @CoryGiger on Twitter for live updates and analysis during today’s game.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today