(Sigh) Let’s simply go forward and rip off the Band-Support.
Properly, that completely sucked yesterday. Let’s simply transfer alongside and grade this
Quarterback: D
The one good factor I can say about Drew Allar’s efficiency yesterday is that he didn’t flip the ball over. By far, it was his worst outing in a Nittany Lion uniform as his passes both sailed previous his targets or have been thrown to receivers who have been lined like blankets resulting from an lack of ability to realize separation. You’ll be able to inform the child is an absolute competitor from how emotional he was within the postgame press convention, combating again tears, and he will definitely have higher video games forward.
Operating Again: C
On PSU’s third drive of the sport, Nick Singleton ripped off back-to-back runs of 20 and 16 yards, respectively, to place PSU contained in the Buckeye 30 yard-line. So naturally, Mike Yurcich decides to go away with what was working and attempt to have an overtly-amped up Allar throw a few passes, leading to a sack and an incomplete cross, earlier than Singleton gained a number of yards on a carry to arrange a game-tying subject purpose. Singleton and Kaytron Allen each carried the ball 9 instances apiece whereas PSU threw the ball 42 instances. Actually taking part in to the group’s strengths, proper there. /s
Large Receiver: D
KeAndre Lambert-Smith led the way in which with six catches for 52 yards, however identical to his different fellow wideouts, getting separation was a problem, which led to OSU having the ability to play up shut defensively, realizing there was no one who was going to beat them deep, and even on intermediate routes. Kaden Saunders did catch PSU’s lone landing late within the sport, so maybe it wouldn’t damage to get him some extra snaps going ahead.
Tight Finish: C-
Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren had a pair catches every, but additionally had some drops, because the tight ends left a bit of extra to be desired.
Offensive Line: C
Not as unhealthy as some followers made them out to be, however it wasn’t day both, for the O-line. Allar did have his share of time to throw, however that doesn’t matter when you have got the worst broad receiver room amongst High 10 groups. Like clockwork, OSU’s J.T. Tuimoloau additionally got here up with a clutch play within the fourth quarter, getting a bit of Allar’s arm as he went again to cross on fourth down at midfield with PSU desperately making an attempt to remain alive.
Defensive Line: A-
One facet of the ball you’ll be able to’t blame yesterday’s loss on is the protection. The D-line did effectively in opposition to a shaky Ohio State O-line in producing strain on Kyle McCord at instances and was additionally ready to ensure OSU’s steady of operating backs by no means go off any explosive performs. Adisa Isaac additionally got here up with half a sack. It’s a must to really feel terrible for Chop Robinson, who was pressured to go away the sport with an damage early within the second quarter. Hopefully, that’s not the final we’ve seen of him in a PSU uniform.
Linebacker: A-
Curtis Jacobs and Abdul Carter each led the group in tackles with 9 every, and have been instrumental in holding OSU’s floor sport in verify. Had it not been for a defensive holding penalty, Jacobs would’ve had probably the most clutch play of the sport together with his fumble restoration TD that may’ve had PSU up 10-3 within the second quarter. Kobe King shared the opposite half of a sack with Isaac, but additionally had a expensive “unnecesary roughness” penalty which was extremely questionable.
Secondary: B+
Whereas I understand Marvin Harrison Jr. was at all times going to get his share of catches and yards, it additionally wasn’t the perfect outing for Kalen King. To not point out, King dedicated an absolute momentum-killer of a defensive holding penalty that negated the scoop-and-score. That being mentioned, Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy balled out with their share of cross breakups, with Dixon additionally garnering a sack.
Particular Groups: B+
Alex Felkins was cash, nailing each of his subject purpose makes an attempt from 40 and 41 yards, respectively. Riley Thompson averaged practically 44 yards on his 9 punts, together with a pair of 50-plus yarders, and pinned OSU inside their very own 20 5 instances (arguably Thompson’s finest outing of the season). Daequan Hardy additionally had a pleasant 15-yard punt return to arrange PSU with good beginning subject place, but additionally made a horrible mistake permitting a punt from the again of OSU’s finish zone to go over him and bounce all the way in which inside PSU’s personal 30, blowing a golden alternative to present PSU’s offense a brief subject to work with.
Teaching: D
Manny Diaz’s protection did all that they may and appeared to have a ok sport plan, however even the perfect defenses can solely accomplish that a lot if the offense can’t get out of their very own manner: Enter Mike Yurcich, who had primarily three weeks to give you a plan to make the most of the expertise out there to assault this OSU protection, and all we bought was a large bag of flaming canine poop. Contemplating that is his third as offensive coordinator and that he’s now teaching his most prized QB recruit, that is fully unacceptable, and James Franklin may have to start out having some tough conversations with Yurcich, if he hasn’t already.
It additionally wouldn’t be an enormous sport with out James making yet one more controversial fourth down resolution, selecting to go for it on 4th and three from close to midfield on his personal half of the sphere with seven-and-a-half minutes to go and PSU trailing 13-6. On the one hand, I perceive that he was nervous the protection was getting gassed and going to surrender a rating, however alternatively, how about simply trusting that your gassed however super-talented protection will get a cease, or perhaps even a turnover?
General: D
Sure, it’s completely unfair to present out this grade contemplating the protection and particular groups each did greater than sufficient to win the sport. Nevertheless, my eyes are nonetheless bleeding from yesterday’s show of offensive ineptitude, and it’s taking each ounce of restraint to not pour bleach into them.
[BONUS CATEGORY] Gus Johnson: STFU
I ought to preface this by saying that I cherished Gus again when he used to name March Insanity video games on CBS and I even preferred him for some time as a university soccer announcer, even when others have been already hating on him. This yr has simply felt like a turning level although, and yesterday marked the primary time that I both muted the published or watched on YouTube TV’s multiview however with the audio on a unique sport, as a result of I simply couldn’t take it anymore with the “Maserati Marv” nickname he insisted on utilizing for Marvin Harrison Jr. each time Harrison Jr. even farted in Gus’ normal route. Aren’t you glad FOX has the bulk stake of Huge Ten media rights???
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