The Penn State-Northwestern Report Card
Yes, Penn State scored 30+ points for the 10th straight game, won by at least 14 for the 10th straight and improved to 5-0 against the spread this season. All good from that perspective in a 41-13 victory over Northwestern. And yet, this one felt off, even as Penn State's defense tuned up the Wildcats. The report card tries to make sense of Penn State's underwhelming 28-point victory.
OFFENSE: C
How does a team look so erratic scoring 41 points? Quarterback Drew Allar certainly missed a few early throws, but his receivers (aside from KeAndre Lambert-Smith) don't help him with separation or tough catches. Nicholas Singleton looks perpetually close to breaking a 20-yard run yet hasn't. He's plussing the pass-game threat, though. The Lions fumbled twice offensively but lost neither. And a first-half touchdown series, with three sneaks on four plays, felt exhausting, though it was successful. The Lions ultimately mitigated their flat start with a 31-point second half, when they also wore down a weaker roster. That changes in three weeks. One stat of note: Penn State rushed for just 134 yards against a defense that had been allowing 184.5 per game, 112th in the FBS.
DEFENSE: A-
Thrown into the ring at its own 11-yard line after the opening-kickoff fumble, the defense allowed Northwestern to gain 1 yard and settle for a field goal. It mostly went like that thereafter, with the Lions recording season highs in sacks (seven) and tackles for loss (12). Six different players recorded solo sacks, and Daequan Hardy made his second interception of the year. We'll dock the defense for a few lapses, notably getting caught asleep as Cam Johnson turned a slant pass into a 22-yard gain on Northwestern's TD drive. The Wildcats also converted two 3rd-and-longs. However, 13 points were about as many as Northwestern should have expected to score.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C
Special teams now owns the team's only turnover this season (a Singleton fumble on the opening kickoff). They also allowed A.J. Henning room for a 36-yard kickoff return and a nice punt return. But freshman Zion Tracy compensated with a huge tackle to thwart a fake punt, Alex Felkins made a 47-yard field goal and Riley Thompson punted much better, averaging 46.8 per attempt.
COACHING: B-
James Franklin owned the fluttery start, which had more to do with an erratic rhythm born from dropping the ball in multiple ways. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich can be frustrating, but his offense has been better in every second half this season. Still, that run game just doesn't frighten opponents. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is working on his own plane, deploying his unit's depth as a weapon. And defensive line coach Deion Barnes has been the staff's rookie of the year. Funny that, before the season, Franklin said he initially didn't intend to promote Barnes from analyst to line coach. Penn State's defensive line is outperforming expectations so far.
OVERALL: B-
The Lions tacked on two late touchdowns to mask the fact that this was a two-score game in the fourth quarter against one of the Big Ten's weakest rosters. They played sloppily and without focus in the first quarter. However, this defense assures that two-score leads are insurmountable. At least until late October, when Penn State visits Ohio State. And that's the next game by which this one is judged.
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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
