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Stunningly, Lions stink up the Linc

PHILADELPHIA – Houston, we have a problem.

Temple spotted Penn State an early 10-0 lead and then absolutely dominated the Nittany Lions en route to a stunningly easy 27-10 victory, ruining an otherwise glorious Saturday afternoon before 69,176 at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Lions’ record says 0-1 – and it’s not like Penn State has opened every season with a win – but this one felt way, way worse than just one loss.

This was a complete system failure on every level and, barring immediate and significant changes, will force most of us who forecasted 8-4 seasons to flop those predictions to 4-8.

Or worse.

Afterward, in a crowded media room, James Franklin rightfully congratulated Temple, said all the right things and pledged to bilge the ship.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said. “That’s obvious.”

Indeed. It’s almost impossible to remember a more alarming Penn State loss, especially so when you factor in that Temple physically manhandled the Lions.

“They dominated us on both sides of the ball,” Franklin said.

Incredibly, after Penn State jumped out to a 10-0 lead and looked like it would be able to name its score, Temple totally outplayed the Lions and outcoached them just as decisively.

Penn State’s problems are so many that there was a strong sense through social media whether Franklin and his staff – especially his offensive staff – is capable of fixing the troubles before the Nits are doomed to an annual third- or fourth-place finish in the Big Ten East Division.

Even former players, albeit ones not recruited by the current staff, were unloading on Twitter.

All of it was understandable and hard to defend.

We’ll start with the offensive line that pledged not to allow the record 44 sacks that it did last year. That number, at least, could be true. The ungodly 10 that Temple came up with puts Penn State on pace to allow 120 this season.

“I thought our offensive line improved (over last year),” Franklin said. “It did not show today.”

He said the problem is fundamental and not personnel, adding, “Our best five are playing.”

Franklin reiterated the line “has to make adjustments,” but it’s fair to ask whether Franklin and line coach Herb Hand can make them.

Christian Hackenberg isn’t blameless, either, and his lack of mobility doesn’t seem to mix well. But, again, you can put Aaron Rodgers behind this line, and don’t expect the results to be much better.

“We have to protect him,” Franklin said.

Penn State’s defense also couldn’t leave here with its head up, but injuries contributed to the Lions’ inability to disrupt Temple’s impressively balanced offensive rhythm.

Over the final three quarters, the Owls outgained Penn State, 273-54, after losing the first quarter, 126-44.

It’s one of the most amazing, and demoralizing, turnarounds a Nittany Lion coaching staff has ever presided over against an opponent it has historically owned.

Most disturbing was Penn State’s inability to take a punch and lack of resiliency. Franklin said he sensed a momentum shift after Temple, down 10-0 with 4:11 left, broke through for its first sack.

“My gut tells me then we had some issues,” he said.

While many questioned the playcalling last year and the offensive staff – multiply that now by 10 – Bob Shoop’s defense looked good early and was in control until middle linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter.

On top of that came game-ending injuries to fellow linebackers Brandon Bell and Gary Wooten, pressing true freshmen into service, and the absence of starting cornerback Grant Haley.

Still, there were too many open creases in the secondary and not enough pressure from the defensive front, both expected to be team strengths.

The Lions’ punting game also missed a couple of chances to pin the Owls deep.

It adds up to a significant and unprecedented on-the-field leadership challenge, for Franklin, his staff, Hackenberg and the upperclassmen.

“I understand there will be criticism,” Franklin said.

He got that right.

At the same time, still replenishing talent from the sanctions, which left the Lions with more skill players than linemen, there’s a lack of depth, and nobody could have expected a recovery road without bumps.

Bill O’Brien lost his first two games, albeit after the program was spent physically and emotionally, and regrouped admirably.

Franklin has been an upbeat leader and talent stockpiler who definitely has to prove he can preside over in-game adjustments and protect someone the NFL supposedly thinks is a franchise quarterback.

So let’s go back to some sage advice from the ultimate sage who taught many of us most of our football.

“You’re never as good as you think you are when you win,” JoePa often said, “and you’re never as bad as you think you are when you lose.”

This game was an exception to that theory.

Here’s one more from above: “A team makes its biggest improvement from the first to the second game.”

For the sake of James Franklin and everyone else around Not-So-Happy Valley, that better be true this year.

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

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