Penn State Football: 3 takeaways from big win over Michigan in Week 8

By Dante Pryor | Oct 20, 2019

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball on a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

3. Penn State’s offense disappeared

The Penn State offense was feast or famine against the Wolverines. They hit chunk plays, and explosive plays to score their points. When they didn’t hit those plays, the ball didn’t move much.

They didn’t run the football effectively, and their lack of offensive production let the Michigan Wolverines get right back into the game. After they went up 21-0, the Nittany Lions gained 30 yards on their next five possessions going three and out on four of those possessions.

Keep in mind, if Ronnie Bell doesn’t drop that pass in the end zone, they might still be playing.

If there’s an issue with the Penn State Nittany Lions, it’s that their offense can disappear for stretches of time. They haven’t settled on a bell-cow running back, and their offensive line isn’t always physical at the point of attack. There’s going to come a time they’ll have to score without the big play.

If Penn State wants to keep winning they have to be more consistent at sustaining long drives.

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