Penn State Football: 3 overreactions to rivalry win over Pitt

1. Running back debate should be settled

Penn State entered the season with a running back by-committee approach with four running backs all vying for playing time. Now that the non conference slate has concluded, the debate should be over.

Journey Brown got the start and on the Lions second drive, they were pinned back inside their own 5 yard line. Brown had a huge run of 85 yards to setup Penn State’s first score. On his other nine carries, Brown had only 24 yards.

Later in the third quarter, the Lions went with freshman Noah Cain on their longest drive of the day of 13 plays and 88 yards. Cain was a beast on the drive, rushing six times for 40 yards capped off with a 13-yard touchdown run.

Cain never saw the field again after his touchdown, which turned out to be a game winner. Inexcusable the coaches did not go back to the hot hand. The other two running backs, Ricky Slade and Devyn Ford, combined for nine carries for 15 yards with Ford scoring a one yard touchdown to open the scoring.

It is understandable why the James Franklin and the coaching staff wanted to play all four backs early in the season against a  FCS and MAC opponent. They wanted to see what they had in addition to keeping them fresh. But to not go with the hot hand with the game on the line was not a smart move. Before conference play, the coaches need to settle on a guy. Cain should be the starter heading into the Maryland game with Brown as the change of pace guy.