Keys to the Penn State-Indiana Game

The Lions are huge favorites against Indiana. They also need a rebound game after Ohio State.

Jameial Lyons, Penn State's first-year defensive end, welcomed himself to the world against Delaware, closing the third quarter with a heavy-hitting sack. Lyons carried Penn State's hardest-hit hammer into the next game as a reward. The Lions might need more of that Saturday.

Lyons, who has been a “yellow light” in terms of his redshirt, could be in line for extended reps against Indiana with injuries to Chop Robinson and Amin Vanover prompting some questions about Penn State’s depth at defensive end. Coach James Franklin went out of his way to highlight Lyons’ development when talking about the depth at the position, saying “there’s excitement about him.” The Lions also will need to lean on Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zuriah Fisher more than they have previously.

“He brings the juice. Very physical. I’m saying this now because I already know,” defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon said this week, laughing when Lyons’ name came up in a question. “Very physical in the run game. Pass game, he can pass rush his ass off. He’s way ahead of everybody else. That’s just that Philly ball, bro. He’s the definition of Philly, hard-grit ball. That’s him. He’s the guy.”

Robinson left against Ohio State with an injury that kept him on the ground for an extended period of time. Franklin said the team hopes Robinson returns soon. Vanover left against the Buckeyes as well, and Franklin said he could be a game-time decision depending on reps in practice this week.

“We have played a ton of guys at defensive end. There's also a young guy that we've been excited about who's coming on is Jameial Lyons. That plays a part in it as well,” Franklin said. “I think with Jameial early on it was like, 'We're going to use him in certain packages, but not all of it.’ But as the season goes on, you hope that you're at a point at this stage that he can handle more.”

Beamon repeated the word “yes” about 10 times in a steady crescendo when asked if last week’s loss is the kind that makes you simply want to get back out on the field again. Franklin mentioned he wants to see the team take its frustrations out on Indiana.

Therefore, it’s officially bounceback time for Penn State against Indiana following the letdown at Ohio State. Let’s dive into a few more keys for the Lions against the Hoosiers.

RELATED: Penn State vs. Indiana preview, players to watch, predictions

Penn State needs a passing boost

There has been a glaring absence of efficiency in the Penn State passing game all season, and Franklin knows it. The most important thing this weekend is walking away feeling comfortable that Drew Allar can win a game with his arm. To do so, Penn State will need to throw more often over the middle of the field and show more trust in receivers and tight ends not named KeAndre Lambert-Smith or Harrison Wallace III. 

Dante Cephas was brought in to shore up the losses of Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, and he’s been unable to do tha thus far. Sure, the Kent State transfer needed time adjusting to Big Ten football, but halfway through the season, it might be time to let the experiment run its course — especially after he was virtually nonexistent against Ohio State. Guys like Kaden Saunders and Liam Clifford might warrant longer looks, too.

“This is an opportunity to take a step this week and build confidence moving forward," Franklin said. "I think there's guys in that room that have the ability to do the job and do the job at a high level. It's about consistency physically, but it's also consistency mentally.”

Let Singleton eat

The passing game is priority No. 1, but the offense as a whole lost its identity last week and needs all-around improvement against Indiana, which just has the Big Ten's lowest-ranked rushing defense (174.43 yards per game).

Nicholas Singleton finally broke free with a 20-yard run last week, followed by a 16-yarder, but was rewarded with just nine carries in the game. Similar to the receiving corps, it might be time to give a backseat to always doing the “correct” thing in favor of letting your best athletes make plays.

Where’s the Beau Show?

Yet again, Franklin teased a Beau Pribula package. This time was a bit different, though, as he revealed the team had plans to play Pribula against Ohio State and has had aspirations to use him and Allar on the field at the same time.

And why not? The offense could have used any kind of spark after going 1-for-165 on third down last week. Getting some in-game reps for the Pribula package could add an interesting wrinkle with Michigan week creeping closer.

More on Penn State

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Penn State vs. Indiana preview, predictions

Penn State's passing game needs a jolt

Could the Lions deploy a Drew Allar-Beau Pribula package?

James Franklin addresses Chop Robinson's injury status

Ohio State game won't define Penn State's offense, lineman Caedan Wallace says

When will Penn State truly 'close the gap' against Ohio State?

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.

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