4 ways James Franklin wants Penn State to improve in the final stretch of the regular season

Penn State is 8-1, ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings and is currently set to host a playoff game against Ole Miss at Beaver Stadium. Objectively, things are going well.

Of course, James Franklin will still spend the final games of the season hoping his team makes significant improvements. With three games against decidedly lesser Big Ten competition – Purdue, Minnesota and Maryland – now is the time to do it and get your team playing its best when a potential playoff game finally arrives.

Franklin spent part of Wednesday night’s post-practice media availability pointing out specific areas he would like to see make a move. Here’s what he highlighted.

Plays a full 4 quarters

Penn State is still trying to shed the old “second-half team” that has followed Franklin’s team for a while. Second half comebacks against both Bowling Green and USC earlier in the year did little to assuage fans’ concerns. In the last game against Washington, however, the Nittany Lions came out blazing hot. They scored 28 points in the first half of a 35-6 victory.

On defense, Penn State has simply dominated teams in the second half. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s group has not allowed a touchdown in the third quarter this season. But they have allowed a couple of opening scores this season.

Sure, score totals alone don’t tell the whole story, and Penn State having a good half here and there skews things, but the totals show a few things to be true.

Penn State Offensive Scoring by Quarter: 41 points in the first quarter, 99 points in the second quarter, 69 points in both the third and fourth quarters.

Penn State opponent scoring, by quarter: 34 points in the first quarter, 50 points in the second quarter, 12 points in the third quarter, 30 points in the fourth quarter.

These “slow starts” have been a real thing. The Lions have had difficulty moving the ball early, while the defense has often waited until the second half to tighten up. It must be changed along the way.

“We’ve got to put it together for four quarters and be able to have some kind of killer mindset,” Franklin said. “Keep your foot on the pedal for quarter of an hour.”

Offensive consistency, especially passing

Penn State’s offense has made a leap this year. The numbers may not show it specifically, as overall scoring is down to 31.2 per game this year after 36.2 last season, but there is a general sense of more comfort and higher execution in 2024. Players have consistently praised the offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and the fun he has in his creative plan.

Slow starts, as mentioned above, have contributed to some inefficiencies on offense. Before the Washington breakout, third downs also played a big factor. Franklin has said many times that the offense hasn’t been able to spread the ball to as many receivers as they’d like because of third-down struggles.

The Nittany Lions have a conversion rate of up to 51% on downs — best in the Big Ten and sixth in the nation — but going 10-for-13 against the Huskies skewed that number a lot. They would be just over 47% without it – fourth in the Big Ten and 18th in the nation. Against Ohio State, when it mattered most, Penn State was 3-for-11 on third down.

Penn State is averaging 248.4 passing yards a game this season, ranking seventh in the Big Ten and well down on 45th in the nation. Perhaps if the third-down success continues, the Nittany Lion wide receivers can continue to build on success against Washington.

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Gives free yards on defense

Penalties have been one of Penn State’s most talked about issues this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Franklin has given lengthy responses to the “embarrassing” idea of ​​getting a reputation for jumping offside while defensive penalties directly impacted a loss to Ohio State.

The Nittany Lions are tied for 39th in the country in fewest penalties per game at 5.44, but they’ve been big. They are 55th with 49.89 penalty yards per game. match. Deadball flags and free first downs have been – and may continue to be – backbreakers.

“When we don’t do that (give up free yards), we make it very difficult for people to earn yardage and earn first downs down the field,” Franklin said.

Big plays on special teams

Penn State came close against Washington to finally break through on special teams when Nicholas Singleton opened the second half with a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown, only to have it brought back via a team penalty.

The Nittany Lions have struggled with field position all season, in part due to special teams performance. They have averaged 19 yards on 14 kickoff returns, 84th in the nation. Punt returns have been even worse, 107th in Division I FBS with a 5-yard average on 14 returns.

Getting back has understandably been an adventure, with established starter Kaden Saunders dealing with lingering injuries throughout fall camp and the season. Defensive back Zion Tracy has taken over and is showing flashes of potential. He returned punts in high school, so he’s pretty comfortable at the position. Tracy had an 8-yard punt return against Washington and a 14-yarder against Ohio State.

Penn State has been significantly better on the other side of it, allowing just three punt returns for 26 yards and 13 kickoff returns for a 20.54 yard average.

Still, Franklin would love to see some more explosion, especially in the form of a return touchdown or a blocked kick.

“I think we’ve played really well on special teams from that standpoint — knock on wood — we haven’t had any big plays against us or plays that really hurt us on special teams. It’s fantastic. That’s the starting point,” Franklin said. “Now can we make the plays we need to make that can create an advantage for us?”

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