Franklin talked about cleaning up some things after Idaho. What are you looking for?

[BobPSU92]

Two obvious things were going 1 for 8 on third down and the fumbles. Any thoughts on what Franklin was referring to in his Idaho post-game press conference? Despite 79-7, I’m sure it wasn’t just coachspeak. Where are you looking for improvements against Buffalo? I would like to see Clifford come out sharp out of the gate.

 

[PearlSUJam]

Two obvious things were going 1 for 8 on third down and the two muffs on special teams. Any thoughts on what Franklin was referring to in his Idaho post-game press conference? I’m sure it wasn’t just coachspeak. Where are you looking for improvements against Buffalo? I would like to see Clifford come out sharp out of the gate.

He mentioned taking care of the ball and holding it "high and tight" while not switching arms in particular.

 

[LionJim]

One kickoff didn't go into the end zone.

 

[eidolon21]

more swing passes to RBs

 

[psu_83_drummer]

3rd down conversions

 

[BobPSU92]

He mentioned taking care of the ball and holding it "high and tight" while not switching arms in particular.

Yes, I did hear him say that. Thanks.

 

[BobPSU92]

One kickoff didn't go into the end zone.

Sarcasm? Stout had a great day. A fair catch at the 3 yard line is an automatic touchback, so the same as booming it into the end zone. On a side note, I have a mixed feeling about that rule. I get SAFETY. , but let them play.

 

[SR108]

Two obvious things were going 1 for 8 on third down and the fumbles. Any thoughts on what Franklin was referring to in his Idaho post-game press conference? Despite 79-7, I’m sure it wasn’t just coachspeak. Where are you looking for improvements against Buffalo? I would like to see Clifford come out sharp out of the gate.

Personally, I am interested in watching linebacker play, (reading keys movement and getting off blocks). The DLine kind of dominated Idaho, Parsons's wasn't playing his normal position most of the game and Cam Brown had to sit the first half. Anxious to see improved linebacker play from last year.

 

[BobPSU92]

more swing passes to RBs

Agreed. Anything to get these studs out in space, especially with what we saw against Idaho with the wide receivers blocking downfield.

 

[PSUFBFAN]

Two obvious things were going 1 for 8 on third down and the fumbles. Any thoughts on what Franklin was referring to in his Idaho post-game press conference? Despite 79-7, I’m sure it wasn’t just coachspeak. Where are you looking for improvements against Buffalo? I would like to see Clifford come out sharp out of the gate.

I am sure he was referring to the Beaver Stadium sound system.

 

[BobPSU92]

I am sure he was referring to the sound system.

And the parking.

 

[mrmk5110]

Definitely the 3rd down conversions would be the biggest thing for me.

 

[LionJim]

Sarcasm? Stout had a great day. A fair catch at the 3 yard line is an automatic touchback, so the same as booming it into the end zone. On a side note, I have a mixed feeling about that rule. I get SAFETY. , but let them play.

Yes, it was meant to be a joke.

 

[BobPSU92]

Yes, it was meant to be a joke.

Sorry. I didn’t expect humor from a MATHS. guy. Rather, I figured you did some higher-order galactian numerator analysis of the game and deduced an issue with kickoffs. You probably worked out a proof for it.

 

[RedBankerEngr]

Creating turnovers, punching the ball out!

 

[BobPSU92]

Creating turnovers, punching the ball out!

I really wanted Reid to take that pick to the end zone. He got close.

 

[PSU0622]

Definitely the 3rd down conversions would be the biggest thing for me.

This has been very problematic the past few years and needs to change now.

 

[We Are . . .]

Punt returns. Not just the fumbles but KJ ran backwards on one trying to do too much.

Targeting. We had two overturned but can we expect those calls to be overturned when we play Michigan and tOSU?

 

[Nitwit]

I think he mentioned substitutions on special teams among the 2nd and 3rd string.

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

This has been very problematic the past few years and needs to change now.

I don’t have the time to look but it would be interesting to see the third down conversion rates for pure spread teams like psu vs other schemes.

 

[GreggK]

3rd down conversions.

Also, more stability on the line. I get it that they were moving guys around to see what works. It was surprising they felt like they still needed to do that. Walker has been hyped up as the starting left tackle and then ended up playing right tackle for a lot of the game. If Fries isn't reliable, then give up on it. Put leave Walker at the right guard and put Dez Holmes as the left. But either way, pick something and stick to it at least for a half. It is a puzzle, but one that must be solved. Miranda had a good game, but who does he replace? Gonzalez or Thorpe? Maybe Thorpe? I don't know, but I want to see a consistent line out there that can start to build chemistry.

 

[SR108]

3rd down conversions.

Also, more stability on the line. I get it that they were moving guys around to see what works. It was surprising they felt like they still needed to do that. Walker has been hyped up as the starting left tackle and then ended up playing right tackle for a lot of the game. If Fries isn't reliable, then give up on it. Put leave Walker at the right guard and put Dez Holmes as the left. But either way, pick something and stick to it at least for a half. It is a puzzle, but one that must be solved. Miranda had a good game, but who does he replace? Gonzalez or Thorpe? Maybe Thorpe? I don't know, but I want to see a consistent line out there that can start to build chemistry.

I agree, but would not be surprised to see more of the same this week at least. Perhaps more settled by Pitt, and certainly/hopefully by MD which looks like it could be a good test opener for the Big Ten Schedule at night.

 

[ram2020]

3rd down conversions.

Also, more stability on the line. I get it that they were moving guys around to see what works. It was surprising they felt like they still needed to do that. Walker has been hyped up as the starting left tackle and then ended up playing right tackle for a lot of the game. If Fries isn't reliable, then give up on it. Put leave Walker at the right guard and put Dez Holmes as the left. But either way, pick something and stick to it at least for a half. It is a puzzle, but one that must be solved. Miranda had a good game, but who does he replace? Gonzalez or Thorpe? Maybe Thorpe? I don't know, but I want to see a consistent line out there that can start to build chemistry.

I was surprised to hear Franklin say that Fries is one of the best OTs in all of the country at his postgame.

 

[tboyer]

This has been very problematic the past few years and needs to change now.

Well, I'd give them till 6:00 Friday to fix third down. After that they better have it fixed or I'll be REALLY UPSET.

Seriously, careful what you wish for.

A Wisconsin-style ball-control offense is usually the best way to have a high third-down completion percentage because it creates a ton of third-and-shorts.

But an offense designed more for explosive plays like PSU's is going to naturally have a lower third-down percentage because when it gets to third down it's more likely to be third and long.

So really the metric we should be concerned with isn't third down per se but third and less than 5. Third and 12s are going to happen because of sacks. Third and 10 is MUCH more likely if you pass on 1st down. And 3rd and 10 or more will always be low-percentage plays. Where you'd like to see more consistent success from PSU is 3rd and 3. That's where better O-line play and passing to the backs out of the backfield should help.

I'm sure Wisconsin is no better at converting third and long than PSU. In fact based on what we saw vs. PSU last year, you get Wisky off schedule, you get them to third and 5 or more, you have probably stopped the drive.

 

[BL1975]

Better passing game. Too many receivers waiting for passes instead of catching them in stride. Better defensive backs would not allow our receivers to be wide open waiting for the ball.

 

[PS4814]

I’m looking for KJ Hamler’s tell.

 

[RedBankerEngr]

I’m looking for KJ Hamler’s tell.

Let us know when you find it!

 

[RGWhirly]

Team staying healthy.

 

[PoquosonLion]

One kickoff didn't go into the end zone.

I think that was on purpose. Looked like he tried to kick it higher, but not so deep in hopes of a return. The guys running down the field were getting disappointed and were licking there chops hoping to smash somebody. I’ll bet Lorig had something to do with that.

 

[daveM.]

A lot of the first half snaps where high.

 

[PoquosonLion]

Sutherland needs to take better angles. Had he jumped that route, he had a pick six. Even if he whiffed, Wade was there to stop a TD.

 

[Fayette_LION]

Two obvious things were going 1 for 8 on third down and the fumbles. Any thoughts on what Franklin was referring to in his Idaho post-game press conference? Despite 79-7, I’m sure it wasn’t just coachspeak. Where are you looking for improvements against Buffalo? I would like to see Clifford come out sharp out of the gate.

Punting more than 16 yards. Punt team blocking as that one was almost blocked.

 

[GreggK]

I was surprised to hear Franklin say that Fries is one of the best OTs in all of the country at his postgame.

He said best Right tackles. Which is an interesting statement but maybe not that complimentary as it sounds.

 

[PSUcup1]

Shotgun snaps need to be better. Way too many high ones IMO

 

[BBrown]

Definitely the 3rd down conversions would be the biggest thing for me.

that would be mine as well.

 

[BBrown]

A lot of the first half snaps where high.

I noticed that too when I watched it on replay.

 

[Bob78]

Sarcasm? Stout had a great day. A fair catch at the 3 yard line is an automatic touchback, so the same as booming it into the end zone. On a side note, I have a mixed feeling about that rule. I get SAFETY. , but let them play.

I'm with ya on the auto touchback off of a fair catch in the field of play. Bringing it out to the 25 is the added incentive to not running it out. Still seems to be unfair to the kicking team.

My thought is: Kickoff into the end zone = 20 yard line. Weren't going to run it out anyway, and this is consistent with a punt or an INT or recovery in the end zone.

Fair catch inside the 25(?) 20(?), bring it out to the 25. You're trying to stop the runbacks, here's the incentive to do so. Tough enough to get a runback to the 20, but getting to the 25 is less frequent by some degree. Still, you're giving up the chance for a big return, so the tradeoff seems to be more fair to both sides overall. It takes away an exciting play for the sake of safety, but we can still put more thought into the overall impact, imo.

 

[PSU0622]

Well, I'd give them till 6:00 Friday to fix third down. After that they better have it fixed or I'll be REALLY UPSET.

Seriously, careful what you wish for.

A Wisconsin-style ball-control offense is usually the best way to have a high third-down completion percentage because it creates a ton of third-and-shorts.

But an offense designed more for explosive plays like PSU's is going to naturally have a lower third-down percentage because when it gets to third down it's more likely to be third and long.

So really the metric we should be concerned with isn't third down per se but third and less than 5. Third and 12s are going to happen because of sacks. Third and 10 is MUCH more likely if you pass on 1st down. And 3rd and 10 or more will always be low-percentage plays. Where you'd like to see more consistent success from PSU is 3rd and 3. That's where better O-line play and passing to the backs out of the backfield should help.

I'm sure Wisconsin is no better at converting third and long than PSU. In fact based on what we saw vs. PSU last year, you get Wisky off schedule, you get them to third and 5 or more, you have probably stopped the drive.

Well Wisconsin (ranked 93) finished below Penn State in 2018 (ranked 89) in 2018 3rd down conversion % so it seems that style of play does not really relate. The only team that jumped out at me was Clemson. In 2016 and 2017 they were #1. In 2018 they were ranked 8th. With that being said PSU was almost dead last in 2016 and we know the overall results there.

 

[ChiTownLion]

 

[psuro]

Sorry. I didn’t expect humor from a MATHS. guy. Rather, I figured you did some higher-order galactian numerator analysis of the game and deduced an issue with kickoffs. You probably worked out a proof for it.

It was a theorem which had a corollary. But the corollary, thankfully, was benign.