Keys to the Penn State Vs. UMass Game

Yes, the Nittany Lions are six-touchdown favorites. But they still have some issues to untangle vs. the Minutemen.
Keys to the Penn State Vs. UMass Game
Keys to the Penn State Vs. UMass Game /

Penn State, clad in its “Generations of Greatness” uniforms for Homecoming, hosts 1-6 UMass on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. A game that shouldn’t offer many surprises still provides the Lions a chance to open the playbook, get some fresh legs onto the field and sort a few issues before visiting Ohio State. Let’s dive into a few keys to the game.

Related: Penn State vs. UMass preview, players to watch, predictions

Penn State Needs to Get the Big-Play Run Game Going

This key is going to appear until we actually see it happen. Penn State’s nationally touted backs, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, still have yet to record a single run of 20 yards. These two were home-run hitters a year ago, Singleton in particular, but have struggled to make explosive plays this season.

Granted, Penn State’s rushing attack on the whole has been solid, averaging 194.8 yards per game to rank 24th nationally. And running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider this week reiterated that opposing defenses have centered their attention on the run.

"Contrary to belief, we run the ball effectively," Seider said. "You know, we haven't had a lot of long runs, everybody knows that. But if you watch the film, you watch the defense the week before they play us and the week when they play us, we are getting different defenses every week. So our job is not to press. I bet we're one of the top teams in the country on first down, and a lot reason is because of our running backs.

Still, it's notable that the backup quarterback boasts the longest rush of the season — at just 21 yards. This game against UMass, which allows 220 yards rushing per game, could give way to a party in the backfield if the score plays out as expected. Trey Potts will get carries after his breakout game against Northwestern, but Singleton and Allen are the players to watch early. A few big plays could spark the offense heading into Ohio State week.

Pay Attention to Penn State's Offensive Line

The Nittany Lions have dealt with a handful of injuries early this season, testing the depth of an offensive line originally thought to be one of the roster's deeper units. Expected starting left guard Landon Tengwall medically retired before the season, and his replacement JB Nelson exited on a cart at Northwestern. His status is uncertain until Penn State releases its availability report Saturday.

UMass presents an important opportunity for Penn State to test its line depth. Vega Ioane should get the start at left guard, but Penn State coach James Franklin said this week that right tackle Caedan Wallace has been working at left guard. If Wallace slides to guard at all, which he probably should for at least a few snaps, Drew Shelton will take over at right tackle. Some freshmen should see the field as well this weekend.

Penn State Has Another Opportunity to Showcase Beau Pribula

Quarterback Drew Allar shouldn’t have to touch the field in the fourth quarter. Franklin and Co. have done a nice job this season getting Pribula on the field early and often (he has played in every game), but the backup quarterback's offensive package has been pretty bare bones. We’ve seen him run 28 times and throw just 13 passes.

Having Pribula run often is probably part of Franklin’s attempt to make teams prepare for some mysterious package involving the quarterback in regular situations. Regardless, it would be nice to see Pribula sling it some more to 1) find out what Penn State has in its backup, and 2) let him gain some confidence. In this case, it should come against one of the nation's worst defenses.

Yes, Penn State Should Look Ahead

It’s no secret Penn State has a beast lurking after this UMass game. It’s more than just one game, too, even though next week represents one of the most important games the Lions have played in years. Penn State travels to Ohio State on Oct. 21, then gets Indiana at home before two more brutal matchups with Maryland (away) and Michigan (home) back to back.

It will be more important than ever to get a lot of rotations on the field this weekend. Penn State has done a nice job of playing the second and third units in every game this season, and that shouldn’t change now. Franklin said his staff had a chance to look ahead during the bye week. It’s safe to assume Ohio State will be in the back of everyone’s mind on that Penn State sideline as the team makes decisions this weekend. As it should be.

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Max Ralph is a Penn State senior studying Broadcast Journalism with minors in sports studies and Japanese. He previously covered Penn State football for two years with The Daily Collegian and has reported with the Associated Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter (X) @maxralph_ and Instagram @mralph_59.

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network.


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Max Ralph
MAX RALPH

Max Ralph is a Penn State senior studying Broadcast Journalism with minors in sports studies and Japanese. He previously covered Penn State football for two years with The Daily Collegian and has reported with the Associated Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter (X) @maxralph_ and Instagram @mralph_59.