Although they’ve been there when needed, the Penn State defense is wearing down as the Nittany Lions enter a crucial stretch in their 2015 schedule, which has left little time for rest so far.
Last year, Penn State finished No. 1 in the country in rush defense, allowing 1,015 yards total yards on 2.6 yards per carry. This year? Through eight weeks, the Nittany Lions find themselves 77th in the country in that category, already giving up 1,258 yards, while opponents manage 3.8 yards per carry.
They’ve allowed a combined 69 points over the last two games alone.
Many factors weigh into this. An inconsistent offense may probably be the most notable obstacle the defense may have to overcome on a weekly basis. Opponents have simply dominated time of possession against Penn State, in large part due to Penn State’s inability to convert on third downs. They’re currently moving the chains at a 28 percent clip on third down. That’s good for third-worst among 127 FBS teams.
Add that to an even more inconsistent punt game and the chips are certainly stacked against the Penn State defense before they even hit the field.
But what’s burning them most is the mobile quarterback. Dual-threat playmakers have hurt Penn State the last two games, starting with Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett then Maryland’s Perry Hill. En route to winning the starting job, Barrett tallied 106 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. Hills followed that up with a team-leading 124 yards on the ground plus a touchdown last Saturday.
Against Maryland, Penn State missed plenty of chances to blow up plays in the backfield, but poor tackles proved costly as the Terrapins were able to pick up big gains on yards after contact.
“It’s been missed tackles that’s kind of haunted us the last couple weeks,” said sophomore linebacker Jason Cabinda, who leads the team in tackles with 61. He said simple basics are need to rectify the recent deficiencies they’ve faced. “Just getting back to fundamentals and getting squared up and seeing what you’re hitting, not diving for legs … and we’ll be back on track.”
The fatigue can certainly be in play here. The Lions have spent a considerable amount of time on the field this season, between practice and games and still have two more games to play before their bye week of Nov. 14, which equals 10 straight weeks of ground and pound.
James Franklin has modified practice to accommodate for the heavy workload.
“Although things may be scaled back in terms of the hitting … finishing in good finish position is what gets you that full speed rep, without having to have that hit,” Cabinda said of gaining valuable reps during a less intensive practice.
But they aren’t looking for excuses.
Cabinda dismissed the notion of being tired once the game starts, citing the rush of adrenaline that runs through the body once they’re on the field.
A hobbled Illinois team may be the perfect remedy the for Penn State defense. During his weekly Big Ten coaches teleconference Tuesday, interim head coach Bill Cubit said tight end Tyler White has suffered an ACL tear, while running back Josh Ferguson is very doubtful with a shoulder injury, though they expect wide receiver Marchie Murdock back from a thigh bruise that sideline him last week.
But leading the Illinois attack is quarterback Wes Lunt, the prototypical pocket passer that the Lions have feasted on early in the season. Lunt comes into the contest fourth in the conference with 243 passing yards per game.
“He does a good job in the pocket, he can throw most throws very well,” Cabinda said. “He does a lot of things well, he’s a very good player and a guy that we highly respect.”
