Penn State 48, UMass 7: Finally, a breather

Penn State proved capable of handling moments of adversity in week one in Ireland. In week two the Nittany Lions shrugged aside a rough first half against Akron. They answered the late call again last week on the road at Rutgers. In week four, back in Beaver Stadium, there was never a doubt as Penn State flirted with a shutout against a struggling Massachusetts program. The running game many not be solved, but for one late afternoon in September it led the way with five rushing touchdowns. Penn State 48, UMass 7.

Christian Hackenberg was without a touchdown against the Minutemen, but that was no concern in this game. Penn State made a push to get the running game going and it paid off. Bill Belton scored two touchdowns and averaged 10.9 yards per carry. Zach Zwinak chipped away for 28 rushing yards but entered the end zone twice as well. Akeel Lynch led the Nittany Lions with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown. Lynch is the player I have called to be the breakout player of the year for Penn State. He turned in the longest running play of the season with a 46-yard gain in the first half. By the end of the season I have a feeling we will be seeing much more of Lynch in the running game, and Belton seeing his role adjusted to spread things out. I still feel as though that is the best way to maximize the production in the running game, if the offensive line is playing well enough. This particular game offered the perfect formula for Penn State’s running game, but now the entire running game needs to find ways to keep it going as Big Ten play opens next weekend at home against Northwestern.

Penn State is now 4-0 on the year and have yet to allow more than 10 points in a game played on U.S. soil. The defense continues to thrive. Penn State only managed to force one turnover but they held UMass to just 201 yards of total offense. They did a good job getting off the field as well, holding UMass to 2-of-10 on third down attempts and 1-of-3 on fourth downs. Penn State allowed just three rushing yards, thanks in large part to sacking UMass quarterback Blake Frohnapfel for a loss of 29 yards. Former Penn State player Alex Kenney led UMass with 22 rushing yards on two carries.

Perhaps the bets part of this match-up for Penn State was the opportunity to give starters a rest. Hackenberg gave way to D.J. Crook in the second half with the game well in-hand. Crook enjoyed his moment leading the offense by getting a chance to celebrate his first career touchdown pass,  an 11-yard pass to tight end Brent Wilkerson late ion the third quarter.

Considering the depth concerns on Penn State’s roster, getting players a chance to play in a real game could come in handy at some point during the season. It is a luxury Penn State has not been able to enjoy much in the first three games or the past couple of years. It is still a long way to go for Penn State, but a 4-0 start is certainly a positive.

Penn State is now just two wins shy of clinching bowl eligibility. And who knows. The way things are going, Penn State may end up being the first Big Ten team to become eligible for a bowl. What a twist that would be.

What’s Next?

Penn State is home next Saturday for homecoming. Northwestern will come to Happy Valley having come off their first win of the season. The Wildcats picked up a home win against FCS opponent Western Illinois, 24-7. Northwestern has lost a couple of close games this season, to Cal and Northern Illinois. Penn State leads the all-time series with Northwestern, 13-3. Every game has been played since 1993, when Penn State joined the conference. Penn State owns a six-game winning streak against the Wildcats, including three straight at home.