Penn State Set to Feature Three Running Backs in 2013
By Jack Crosby
Nov 17, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Zach Zwinak (28) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Thursday morning, Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien took to the microphone to meet with the Nittany Lions’ media to discuss his thoughts on his second season in Happy Valley. Now in case you have not been paying attention to the program whatsoever lately, Penn State has a bit of a QB controversy on their hands this year–which of course drew a lot of the questioning. And, as expected, O’Brien dodged the questions by stating that the battle will go on in camp between Christian Hackenberg and Tyler Ferguson up until about two weeks out from their opener against Syracuse on Aug.31.
This is no doubt a difficult decision for the PSU head man as he is choosing the leader of his offense following the departure of record-setting QB Matt McGloin. The young man he chooses will be a tone-setter in his pro-style driven offense and–assuming that choice is indeed the freshman Hackenberg–someone that will lead them out of darkness that the NCAA bestowed upon them.
Still, the fact remains that this person under center will be a new one. Fresh meat to the 100,000-plus fans generally in attendance inside Beaver Stadium whom I’ve personally seen verbally crucify people who haven’t lived up to the Penn State standard on the field (Anthony Morelli, anyone?). This chosen one will need help, especially in the backfield along with them.
I learned through O’Brien’s press conference that the coach indeed intends on making sure this comes to fruition. Not only will they have help back there, but they’ll apparently have plenty of that.
Sandwiched between inquiries about sanctions and the quarterback duel was one about the running back depth. O’Brien’s answer was one that intrigued me as well as made me a fan of the coach even more than I already was. When pressed about the issue, O’Brien shed some bright light on exactly what the Penn State running back family will look like in 2013.
"There’s three of them. They’re all going to play. And Zwinak is doing fine. All three running backs will play this year."
Zach Zwinak, Bill Belton and Akeel Lynch will all see significant time in the offense this year. In Layman’s terms, Penn State will have a three-headed monster at running back in 2013.
So with that, let’s take a look at what all three bring to the table to not only produce on offense, but help the new QB get himself acclimated.
Zach Zwinak (6-1, 234 Jr.)
Zwinak (pictured above) returns after a successful sophomore season that saw him rush for exactly 1,000 yards which he capped off in the final game of the season, an upset victory over Wisconsin. The junior is an old-school, bruising power in the backfield. You won’t see him with any flashy Under-Armour gloves and armbands, and you most certainly won’t see him shy away from any contact. He’s a tailback with a fullback’s mentality. He’s naturally gifted running in between the tackles and then getting a good burst once he’s through. With this backfield scheme that O’Brien is putting together, I can’t see Zwinak repeating a 1,000 yard performance. I can however warn opposing teams to get used to seeing him when Penn State is anywhere inside the 15-yard line.
Oct 27, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Bill Belton (1) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Ohio State defeated Penn State 35-23. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Belton (5-10, 199 Jr.)
Bill Belton also returns this season following action as a sophomore in 2012. For the season, Belton finished with 263 yards on 60 carries and 3 touchdowns. It was actually because of Belton that his backfield mate Zwinak was able to enjoy the success that he did. The then sophomore was slated to be the 2012 starter at tailback for the Nittany Lions after converting from wideout, but an ankle injury in the opener against Ohio forced him to miss three games. When he returned, he just wasn’t quite able to get back to the impressive form that earned him the starting nod prior to the season. Now fully healthy, the shift tailback will be ready to contribute his share of the load this season. Belton is incredibly elusive, tough and can catch out of the backfield masterfully due to his wide receiver experience. The only question surrounding the junior is durability. I could easily see Belton becoming a regular third-down back as opposed to carrying the brunt of the load.
Akeel Lynch (6-0, 214 RS Fr.)
Akeel Lynch is the wildcard of the bunch. The Toronto native was redshirted last season and is now ready to contribute his part, which he certainly proved back in April. In the annual Blue-White Scrimmage, the freshman rushed for 83 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. Lynch has incredible vision and burst toward the outside. He’s also outstandingly strong. That touchdown in the spring game was from just one-yard out in which he muscled his way right through the middle of the line. Although much smaller than Zwinak, he posseses the same lack of fear when it comes to contact.
The bottom line here is that Penn State has themselves in quite the envious position. These are three guys that can provide endless headaches for their opponents in their own way. It’s almost a pick your poison type scenario that O’Brien has created.
No matter what concerns the new quarterback may have as they progress through the season, they can certainly have the comfort of looking behind them, knowing that one of these three are there when they need them.
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Jack is a College Football Columnist for Saturday Blitz. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackJ14CFB