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Penn State Football: 3 keys to victory vs. Ohio State in Week 13

By Dante Pryor

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Jesse Luketa #40 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 16, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Jesse Luketa #40 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 16, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive end Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pressures quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive end Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pressures quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

2. Find a way to bottle Chase Young up

The epitome of easier said than done. Wisconsin changed their entire offensive blocking scheme to account for Chase Young. He’s the most unblockable defensive linemen since Ndamukong Suh.

Penn State is going to have its hands full trying to block Young for four quarters. There’s a distinct possibility the Nittany Lions cannot but there are some things schematically they could try.

They might attempt to get the ball out of Sean Clifford’s hands early with a lot of quick throws. Ohio State will probably counter and squeeze Penn State’s receivers. Maybe they try the screen game and hope they catch an aggressive Ohio State defense in over pursuit.

Honestly, I don’t know what Penn State can do against Young. If you account for him too much and over-scheme then the rest of the Ohio State defense makes you pay.

Running away from Young doesn’t work either; he’ll run down your tailback from the backside. Penn State has to go max protect and keep a tight end and running back wherever Young is and double and triple-team him all night. They hope their receivers can make plays with fewer routes in play. Even with extra blockers, it’s going to be tough sledding for Penn State against Young.

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