Penn State Football: Report card for win over Indiana in Week 8

Coaching: D

The coaching continues to have some real perplexing moments in games. The win was rather uninspiring and most of it had to deal with the coaching staff.

The coaching staff continues to do bizarre things. They were lucky to escape with a victory otherwise the grade would be an F.

Here are just a few of the weird decisions from the game. When Miles Sanders was running well, offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne decided to move away from the run and instead pass more in high winds. Up 12 points and having the ball with under five minutes to play, Rahne called three straight passing plays and the Lions end up punting the ball back after only 19 seconds had come off the clock.

After Indiana was tagged with a five-yard running into the kicker penalty on a Penn State punt, James Franklin decided to run a fake punt in his own territory which the Hoosiers were completely ready for. With a short field, Indiana scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive.

Late in the game, Franklin called a timeout right before Indiana attempted an onside kick recovered by Penn State. Given a second chance, the Hoosiers recovered the second attempt, breathing life into them before ultimately falling.

It is these mind numbing decisions that have plagued the Lions over the last few weeks. In addition, the poor play of the receivers and on special teams need to be evaluated in the offseason and positional coaching changes may need to be made. If Franklin wants to get to elite, he better start with making his staff the best it can be and making better in-game decisions. Right now the team is no where close to being elite.