Penn State Nittany Lions
Overall Rank #23
#4 Big Ten Conference
2010 Record: 7-6
2010 Bowl: Outback Bowl vs. Florida (L37-24)
Coach: Joe Paterno (401-135-3 at Penn State, 401-135-3 Overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Dick Anderson
Defensive Coordinator: Tom Bradley
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Silas Redd, RB, 461 yards
Passing: Matt McGloin, QB, 1548 yards
Receiving: Derek Moye, WR, 885 yards
Tackles: D' Anton Lynn, CB, 75
Sacks: Devon Still, DT, 4
Interceptions: D’Anton Lynn, CB, 3; Nick Sukay, S, 3
Other key Returnees: QB Rob Bolden, WR Justin Brown, WR Devon Smith, DE Jack Crawford
Key Losses: RB, Evan Royster , OG, Stefen Wisniewski, OLB, Bani Gbadyu
The Penn State Nittany Lions were a young team last season, and their lack of experienced showed, as they only managed to scratch together a 7-6 record. However this season things are looking brighter for the Nittany Lions, as they continue to grow as a team under the legendary Joe Paterno.
Strengths:
Penn State’s youth from last season is resulting in a much more experienced team this year. It all starts on offense for Penn State. They return both of their quarterbacks, who split time last year, and will likely do the same again this year. They return their top three pass catching wide receivers as well. This offense looks to be built to be explosive and put up tons of points. Their running back remains a question, after losing their all-time leading rusher in Evan Roystar, but their offensive line is always good, so their running game should not be diminished too much. On top of that, Silas Redd looked pretty good when he was given the opportunity, and will be even better this year. This program may be known for their defense, particularly their linebackers, but it seems to be their offense that will carry them this year.
Weaknesses:
Penn State’s defense struggled to bring down opposing quarterbacks last year. They ranked 101 in sacks, which if you’re a team that expects to be in the top 25 is something that you cannot have. The lack of pressure produced by this defensive unit is arguably their biggest problem. They are a solid defensive unit, ranking a respectable 35th in total defense last year, but gave up 23.69 points per game, which was 50th in the nation. Had their defense been able to generate more pressure they probably would have given up less points. Furthermore Penn State needs to take care of the football. Their turnover margin was pitiful last year, (for a big time program) ranking 75 in the nation. That absolutely cannot happen if they want to compete in a very good Big Ten Conference. Many of those turnovers could probably be blamed on the youth of the offense, but it remains to be seen if they will improve.
Bottom Line:
Penn State struggled mightily on offense last year, and that probably trickled over into the defense, which did not have a stellar year. The defense was better than the statistics show, but they were not the Penn State defense we have grown to expect over the years. This year the defense needs to regroup and become the unit that people expect. If the defense can be above average, the offense improves like it is expected, and they protect the football, this team could be very good. If they fail to succeed in improving in those key areas it could be another 7-6 season for the Nittany Lions.
Projected Bowl: Outback Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 145.54 (74 in Nation, 9 in Conference)
Passing Offense: 229.69 (52,6)
Total Offense: 372.23 (68,9)
Scoring Offense: 24.54 (81,9)
Rushing Defense: 165.62 (74,7)
Pass Defense: 181.23 (16,2)
Total Defense: 346.85 (35,4)
Scoring Defense: 23.69 (50,6)
Turnover Margin: .-.31 (75,8)
Sacks: 1.31 (101, 8)
Sacks Allowed: .85 (T-10, 1)
Madness 2012 Draft Rankings:
#57 Jack Crawford
Madness 2011 Recruit Rankings:
#40 Angelo Mangiro
#114 Anthony Zettel
#161 Bill Belton
Read another article about Penn State football
