Film Study - Penn State OL Revival vs. Oregon

[CaliLION79]

OFFENSIVE LINE FILM STUDY vs. OREGON

See link above. Easily the biggest positive from Saturday and the glimmer of hope that a long CFP run might be possible. No idea where this 180 from the OL came from considering how inept they performed in the 2nd half of the season, but WOW. This was a fun one. Codutti really highlighted Rucci's performance since so many of the previous issues tended to originate on the right side of the line vs. Minn and even MD (statistically). You could hear the former OL in coach come out a few times lol. He was into it.

 

[BucksLion52]

Easily the best game the OL played this year, against equal competition. Rucci played like a 5 star against a vert good edge player. In fact every linemen played well. Their timing, blocking assignments were spot on. I look forward to these breakdowns every week. Now I need to watch the Defense issues.

 

[PSU20]

Dawkins played a great game also. I was concerned about Caldwell NT for the Ducks, 340 lbs. But, Dawkins handled him and I saw him driving Caldwell down the line on a run play. 5 stars for Dawkins and the entire OL.

 

[tboyer]

Best O-line play at PSU since probably 2008 but maybe going back to the mid-1990s. OL looked great against Washington and Purdue but those were undermanned defenses; this was a good, maybe not great but definitely very good, defense.

Trautwein, Howle and Deon Barnes are killing it. OL and DL are the foundation of the team. They deserve whatever Franklin can pay them to keep them at PSU.

 

[Obliviax]

OFFENSIVE LINE FILM STUDY vs. OREGON

See link above. Easily the biggest positive from Saturday and the glimmer of hope that a long CFP run might be possible. No idea where this 180 from the OL came from considering how inept they performed in the 2nd half of the season, but WOW. This was a fun one. Codutti really highlighted Rucci's performance since so many of the previous issues tended to originate on the right side of the line vs. Minn and even MD (statistically). You could hear the former OL in coach come out a few times lol. He was into it.

Unfortunately, while the line played great, the defense and Allar didn't. We gave up, ostensibly, a pick six and 50 yards in penalties in the first half. And while we ran the ball well, nobody cared. Getting behind early put a lot of pressure on our passing game as you don't come back from big deficits running the ball.

Great to see the OL gell. If the others get back to playing like they have in the passed, we'll be fine.

 

[SR108]

Unfortunately, while the line played great, the defense and Allar didn't. We gave up, ostensibly, a pick six and 50 yards in penalties in the first half. And while we ran the ball well, nobody cared. Getting behind early put a lot of pressure on our passing game as you don't come back from big deficits running the ball.

Great to see the OL gell. If the others get back to playing like they have in the passed, we'll be fine.

Defense was disappointing. It looked to me like we were giving a lot of cushion and then could not tackle the Oregon athletes once they caught the ball. We also did not really stop their running game. Very unsuccessful game plan. Even so, without the penalties and without the two picks, we had a real chance to win the game. The poor officiating did not help either.

 

[Obliviax]

Defense was disappointing. It looked to me like we were giving a lot of cushion and then could not tackle the Oregon athletes once they caught the ball. We also did not really stop their running game. Very unsuccessful game plan. Even so, without the penalties and without the two picks, we had a real chance to win the game. The poor officiating did not help either.

Agree with all of that but I'd also add that we had no answer for Tez Johnson.

BTW, something I didn't know. Johnson's father committed suicide and he was adopted by Bo Nix's family. he played for three years for Troy before xfering to play with his brother, Bo, at Oregon last year. He is a fifth year senior.

Tez Johnson - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[bcspsu]

Defense was disappointing. It looked to me like we were giving a lot of cushion and then could not tackle the Oregon athletes once they caught the ball. We also did not really stop their running game. Very unsuccessful game plan. Even so, without the penalties and without the two picks, we had a real chance to win the game. The poor officiating did not help either.

Based on what's happned all season with this defense, I knew that Oregon would score at will in the first quarter. Unfortunately, by the time that the defense adjusted to Oregon's speed and somewhat slowed them down in the second half, it was too late; we just couldn't afford to fall behind by multiple tds in that game.

Despite their stats, I've never been comfortable with this defense; I just don't believe that they are disciplined or fundamentally sound. Also, they still have no idea about how to defend the slants.

Regarding Allar, he mostly comported himself well. However, even considering the INTS, I believe that the play of the game was when he threw a terrible seam pass to Warren on the opening drive of the third quarter when he panicked and rushed the throw; that was a pass that had to be completed. If that pass had been completed, PSU probably ties that game and the complexion of that game could've changed.

 

[Cowbell Man]

Best O-line play at PSU since probably 2008 but maybe going back to the mid-1990s. OL looked great against Washington and Purdue but those were undermanned defenses; this was a good, maybe not great but definitely very good, defense.

Trautwein, Howle and Deon Barnes are killing it. OL and DL are the foundation of the team. They deserve whatever Franklin can pay them to keep them at PSU.

Meanwhile, Hagans….

 

[Obliviax]

Based on what's happned all season with this defense, I knew that Oregon would score at will in the first quarter. Unfortunately, by the time that the defense adjusted to Oregon's speed and somewhat slowed them down in the second half, it was too late; we just couldn't afford to fall behind by multiple tds in that game.

Despite their stats, I've never been comfortable with this defense; I just don't believe that they are disciplined or fundamentally sound. Also, they still have no idea about how to defend the slants.

Regarding Allar, he mostly comported himself well. However, even considering the INTS, I believe that the play of the game was when he threw a terrible seam pass to Warren on the opening drive of the third quarter when he panicked and rushed the throw; that was a pass that had to be completed. If that pass had been completed, PSU probably ties that game and the complexion of that game could've changed.

Allar played the worst game of the year, for him, IMHO>

One play was the long INT with just under 2 minutes to go. I have no idea why you call that play. As I understand it, that was the primary receiver. At that point in the game, we have a shot at one possession. Scoring early gives Oregon the ball with 1:40 or so in, best case, a tie game. I am not sure if that is where we want to be. In close games, now, you play for one possession giving the ball back with little on the game clock. We'd have been much better off to continue to take the underneath routes. The clock stops when you go OOB and stops, temporarily, when you make a first down. 1:50 is a TON of time. To me, that play was a lack of poise in the play being called and by Allar.

 

[slykens]

I was frustrated during the game but in retrospect I think that's the best game Penn State has played all year.

In spite of the defense and penalties to start the game, the team showed consistently aggressive and smart play calling, good execution (although mixed with some very poor execution here and there), and a determination to win. Had the first quarter been different or there been a fifth quarter PSU wins. Also, if "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, we'd have a very Merry Christmas.

In the end it seems like it has worked out for PSU.

 

[bcspsu]

Allar played the worst game of the year, for him, IMHO>

One play was the long INT with just under 2 minutes to go. I have no idea why you call that play. As I understand it, that was the primary receiver. At that point in the game, we have a shot at one possession. Scoring early gives Oregon the ball with 1:40 or so in, best case, a tie game. I am not sure if that is where we want to be. In close games, now, you play for one possession giving the ball back with little on the game clock. We'd have been much better off to continue to take the underneath routes. The clock stops when you go OOB and stops, temporarily, when you make a first down. 1:50 is a TON of time. To me, that play was a lack of poise in the play being called and by Allar.

Allar still has poor mechanics at times, and his mechanics fluctuate wildly within games. IMO, he doesn't throw a great long ball; those passes seem to float and I blame it on the fact that he throws too many passes on his back foot. Also, he misses several gimmies like the seam pass to Warren, because he often rushes and doesn't set his feet; you just can't miss those throws if you want to win anything significant. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise in that he may consider returning for 2025, because if he does, he definitely can become better and, with that, PSU should have another great season.

 

[Obliviax]

Allar still has poor mechanics at times, and his mechanics fluctuate wildly within games. IMO, he doesn't throw a great long ball; those passes seem to float and I blame it on the fact that he throws too many passes on his back foot. Also, he misses several gimmies like the seam pass to Warren, because he often rushes and doesn't set his feet; you just can't miss those throws if you want to win anything significant. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise in that he may consider returning for 2025, because if he does, he definitely can become better and, with that, PSU should have another great season.

I appreciate the comments. But that facts are that he's been one of the most consistent and error-free QBs in all of college football. Oh I hear the "he always throws check-downs and short" but I am not sure those people have watched football games over the last ten years. Every QB does that. Plus, while we've got some good WRs, we don't have great ones like Howard and Gabriel do. ESPN has him ranked tenth in all of college football (and I'd argue half of those don't belong like Navy).

But to your overall point, I agree. I'd love to see him back another year both for PSU and for him, personally.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GecoJdmXgAEu7JN?format=jpg&name=small

 

[RickinDayton]

Agree with all of that but I'd also add that we had no answer for Tez Johnson.

BTW, something I didn't know. Johnson's father committed suicide and he was adopted by Bo Nix's family. he played for three years for Troy before xfering to play with his brother, Bo, at Oregon last year. He is a fifth year senior.

Tez Johnson - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Was not aware. Great story.

 

[tboyer]

Allar played the worst game of the year, for him, IMHO>

One play was the long INT with just under 2 minutes to go. I have no idea why you call that play. As I understand it, that was the primary receiver. At that point in the game, we have a shot at one possession. Scoring early gives Oregon the ball with 1:40 or so in, best case, a tie game. I am not sure if that is where we want to be. In close games, now, you play for one possession giving the ball back with little on the game clock. We'd have been much better off to continue to take the underneath routes. The clock stops when you go OOB and stops, temporarily, when you make a first down. 1:50 is a TON of time. To me, that play was a lack of poise in the play being called and by Allar.

Agree, Allar played tight. Big step backward for him. Especially since for the most part he was NOT under pressure -- the OL protected him very well and the running game gave him lots of options on play-action. Hope he can learn from it and play more consistently in the playoff.

The last INT did Franklin/Kotelnicki take the blame for the call? It just wasn't desperation time, look at the shot but Wallace drew their best corner plus safety help. Did Allar really not have a second option? He had plenty of time in the pocket if he had looked.

And even if it had been desperation time, it was odd to target Wallace; they've had more success with Evans on the deep shots. Wallace has been nails in the middle of the field but Evans has better contested ball skills I think.

Raises questions once again about Franklin's decisionmaking and Coach K's play calls in game-deciding situations.