In a candid assessment following the Penn State Nittany Lions’ season opener on March 5, 2024, head coach James Franklin addressed the team’s challenges in both their running game and red zone efficiency. The Nittany Lions secured a resounding victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack, winning 46-11, but Franklin emphasized that missed assignments hindered their performance. “We had some missed assignments that made the game more difficult than it needed to be,” he stated, highlighting the need for improvement.
During the game, Penn State rushed 36 times for a total of 135 yards, achieving an average of just 3.8 yards per carry. The team managed to score touchdowns on only 5 of 9 attempts inside the Wolf Pack’s 25-yard line. Franklin pointed out a specific instance that contributed to their inefficiency. “On one of the drives, we’re running an outside-zone scheme on the first play. We don’t block the 3-technique defensive tackle and they get a tackle for loss. Now you’re off schedule. That’s what we still have to get cleaned up,” he remarked.
Franklin also noted that Nevada employed a five-man defensive front to contain star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron “Fatman” Allen, who collectively managed only 62 yards on 16 carries. “If you’re the defensive coordinator at Nevada and you’re coming to Penn State, the proven commodity is Nick and Fat and the running game,” Franklin explained. He acknowledged that opposing teams will often focus on neutralizing their strengths, stating, “Everybody’s model is going to be, ‘We have to do everything we possibly can not to allow the obvious choice to beat us.’”
In addition to the running game, Franklin discussed new strategies, including a 2-point conversion attempt in the third quarter. “You’d like to get some of these things on film, so that people have to spend time working on them,” he said. Despite the attempt resulting in a missed execution, Franklin believes it is essential for future opponents to prepare for various scenarios.
The introduction of new punter Gabe Nwosu also raised eyebrows, as he replaced Riley Thompson, who had served as the team’s punter for the past two seasons. Nwosu, a 6-foot-6, 292-pound player, had primarily handled kickoff duties previously but impressed during preseason training. “We’ve been very, very happy with Riley, but Gabe is special,” Franklin said. “He’s the closest thing to (Baltimore Ravens punter) Jordan Stout we’ve had here.” Though Penn State did not punt against Nevada, Nwosu kicked off nine times, achieving five touchbacks.
Injury concerns were also a topic of discussion, particularly regarding defensive end Zuriah Fisher and running back Quinton Martin Jr.. Fisher, who missed the entirety of the previous season due to a lower-body injury, was held out of the opener due to insufficient practice time. “I was hopeful to have Zuriah for the opener,” Franklin said. “We held him because he hadn’t practiced enough and didn’t think that was the right thing to do for him or us.”
Martin, expected to compete for the third-string running back position, was absent from the game due to a minor injury he sustained during training camp. Franklin added, “The only reason you didn’t see Quinton on offense or special teams is because he had tweaked something. He just got cleared right before we got into game week.”
As the Nittany Lions prepare for their next challenges, Franklin’s straightforward approach to addressing the team’s shortcomings reflects a commitment to developing a more effective offensive strategy and solidifying their roster. The focus will remain on improving execution and maintaining a competitive edge as they move forward in the season.
