Penn State: 1/3 season grades

When you were in school, every quarter of the year you got a report card with grades on it telling you how well you did in each subject. Here’s my first quarter grades for the Nittany Lions.

Offense

Let’s start with QB Christian Hackenberg:

The signal caller had a rough game to start the season against Temple, getting sacked 10 times and throwing an interception with no TDs. He’s bounced back since then, throwing 4 scores to only 1 pick while only being sacked twice over the last three contests. The former five star recruit is 56-103 on the season with 668 yards, four TDs and two picks. Hackenberg is only averaging 187 yards per game, but in his last game he threw for 296. If Franklin really has fixed the offense, then he should continue to improve.

Grade: B-

Running Backs:

Akeel Lynch was number one on the depth chart, but that has most likely changed. Lynch has been out played as of late by his freshman counter part Saquon Barkley. Lynch and Barkley both suffered injuries in last Saturday’s game and Lynch may be out for an extended period of time. On the season, Lynch has rushed 49 times for 262 yards with 2 scores while averaging 65.5 yards per game. Barkley has rushed 42 times for 376 yards 3 TDs to go along with a flashy 22 yard touchdown catch and run on Saturday. Along with freshman Brandon Polk who had been explosive with his jet sweeps, in which he’s scored once and rushed for 102 yards. Deandre Thompkins also has a jet sweep score this year. The team is averaging 170 rushing yards per game.

Grade: A-

Wide receivers:

This is a tough one to grade, because outside of this past game, we haven’t seen much of the receivers. Chris Godwin has been the most productive with 19 catches, 283 yards and a score. Daesean Hamilton hasn’t been anywhere near the threat he was last year. He only had 14 catches and 1 touchdown. Blacknall hadn’t caught a pass all year until this past week when he caught 4 for 101 yards. Geno Lewis is practically nonexistent, he has 3 catches on the year which is a disappointment, but being the number 4 wideout on a team that has trouble throwing the ball, it’s not a total shocker.

First quarter grade: C-

Offensive line:

If I graded them on the Temple game, it would be a fat “F”, but they’ve drastically improved. Hackenberg has only been sacked twice since being downed ten times in the opener. Penn State is averaging 200 rushing yards over the past three games as well. This group has plenty of tough tasks ahead, but they’re starting to look respectful.

First quarter grade:C

Overall offensive grade:

The team is averaging 25.5 points per game, allowing 3 sacks per game and 345 total yards per game. The offense lost the Temple game, but it has looked better, Grant it against weaker opponents. The health of Lynch and Barkley will decide the fate of this unit as the season progresses.

First quarter grade: C

Let’s turn to defense.

Defensive line:

• Anthony Zettel

• Austin Johnson

• Carl Nassib

• Garrett Sickles

Does it get any better than this?

This group has combined for 11 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. They continue to be dominant on defending the run, only allowing 90 yards per game. This group is the best unit on the team and they’re only getting started.

First quarter grade: A-

Linebacks:

When Wartman was lost for the season with an injury, everyone lost faith in this group, but this is Linebacker U! Brandon Bell has been a monster in only 3 games of action this year. He has 20 tackles, a sack, and 2 TFL. Guys like Von Walker and Jake Cooper have helped fill the void as they replace Wartman by committee. If what’s left of this group stays healthy, they should be just fine.

First quarter grade: B

Secondary:

This unit has been banged up all year. Jordan Lucas missed his first game since 2013 on Saturday and Marcus Allen also left with an injury. Youngster John Reid has interception this year as he gets early playing time with injuries. Lucas does have 18 tackles and a sack in 3 games. Grant Haley and Trevor Williams will be guys who need to step up to help stop the pass if guys miss considerable time. The unit is allowing 191 yards per game, which isn’t great considering they haven’t faced a top notch QB yet.

First quarter grade: C+

Overall defensive first quarter grade:

This group is 21st in the nation in points allowed at 16.3, it’s allowing 281.5 total yards per game, a number I would like to see lowered as we enter conference play in two weeks. This group has totaled 18 sacks which is +6 considering the offense has given up 12. They’ll have to stay healthy to stay good which we all are hoping for.

First quarter grade: B-

Special teams:

How can someone replace Sam Ficken? Ask Joey Julius. He’s perfect on PATs and is 6-8 on field goals. Not bad at all. Daniel Pasquariello was only averaging 38 yards per punt, so in the last two games Chris Gulla has taken over punting for 41 yards on average, not much better. The unit allowed a kick return for TD to SDSU on Saturday and the longest return for the unit has been a 50 yard punt return by Thompkins. This group has plenty of work to do.

First quarter grade: C-

Now lets get the overall grade for coach Franklin’s team.

The record is 3-1, a shocking opening loss to Temple left them in shell shock. The team has bounced back winning the last three. They are on average out scoring the opposition 25.5 to 16.5. The turnover margin is +5. Penn State is averaging 345 yards per game while only allowing 281. They’ve sacked the opposition six more times than Hackenberg has been. If and if this team stays healthy, they could still end up with 8-9 wins. But for the first quarter I give them an overall grade of:

B-

Stay tuned.. Army game preview out tomorrow then we begin conference play.