It’s homecoming, a detail that’s easy to forget considering what’s ahead next week. No. 6 Penn State plays UMass at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, its final nonconference game before the real fun resumes with the Oct. 21 showdown at No. 3 Ohio State.
James Franklin’s 1-0 mantra is designed for weeks like this. The 1-6 Minutemen will collect $1.6 million for playing in Beaver Stadium, per the game contract obtained by The Athletic.
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Penn State, coming off its idle week, will be wearing the generations of greatness uniforms, which combine various elements from previous uniforms. Numbers on the helmets and white cleats always seem to be a hit with the players. PSU is 3-2 when wearing these uniforms. Yes, the Nittany Lions wore these when they lost to Illinois in nine overtimes in 2021. Regardless, the Minutemen won’t even come close to having PSU on upset alert.
Where do each of the elements on the Generations of Greatness uniform come from? 🤔🪡
Longtime Equipment Manager, Brad “Spider” Caldwell, breaks it all down… ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/rfT0qXUKm3
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 12, 2023
Here are four keys to the game and a prediction.
1. See the RBs run wild
Running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider said Thursday he’s pleased with the development of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The standout sophomores haven’t had the number of explosive rushes they showcased last year, but Seider pointed to how they’re catching passes and holding their own in pass protection. They’re becoming complete backs before his eyes.
Penn State’s run game can grind defenses down, but for an offense as a whole that needs more explosive plays, perhaps this is the game the backs break a few long runs? UMass’ run defense is ranked 130th nationally (220 yards per game). These backs can do it, but for various reasons it hasn’t happened as much this season.
“We run the ball effectively,” Seider said. “We haven’t had a lot of long runs, everybody knows that, but if you watch the film, you watch the defenses the week before they play us, and the week when they play us, we are getting a different defense every week. Our job is not to press.”
Singleton has 74 carries for 283 yards and seven total touchdowns this season. Allen has carried the ball 69 times for 307 yards and two touchdowns. There’s a chance one or both puts up eye-popping numbers in the first half. Neither have been needed in fourth quarters, but knowing that will likely change next week, PSU could inject more confidence in this ground game if it all clicks on Saturday.
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“Listen, these kids ain’t gonna be perfect,” Seider said. “Every time they get the ball it’s not gonna be a home-run ball. I think we kind of get spoiled in that aspect. We’re in a position where we can make the big play, but we also can grind you out.”
2. Wallace’s return might be huge
Wide receiver Harrison Wallace III has been limited or unavailable for most of this season. He last started Week 2 against Delaware and missed two of the past three games. Wallace was supposed to be full-go against Northwestern, but Franklin said Wallace tweaked the undisclosed injury and therefore didn’t play. Wallace’s return seems like it’s close, though, and for an offense that knows it needs to be more explosive, his availability could help to stretch the field.
Remember, when we last saw this offense during the rout of Northwestern, quarterback Drew Allar didn’t look like he was on the same page with Dante Cephas. Ironing out the QB-WR connection was part of PSU’s idle week plans after offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said they’ve “gotta remedy that fast.” This game might be the perfect opportunity to see Allar build more trust with Cephas and a few other receivers.
Wallace was expected to be the No. 2 receiver. For a receiving corps that’s still a work in progress, Wallace’s return would be significant before heading to OSU.
“Getting Trey back is a huge piece of that puzzle,” Franklin said. “I think it helps (receiver) KeAndre (Lambert-Smith). I think it helps Drew. I think it helps our team. I think it helps our offense. I think it helps Coach Yurcich in calling the game.”
3. Roll through the depth on defense
I’ll go as far as saying this is the deepest of any of Franklin’s Penn State teams. The depth has really shown up on a defense that’s been exceptional. Coordinator Manny Diaz’s defense also hasn’t been on the field a ton because it’s been so dominant. Penn State’s defense ranks second, behind Michigan, in stop rate.
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PSU is first nationally in total defense (210 yards per game), and its sack total (20) is ninth nationally (keep in mind PSU has played just five games while six others ahead of them have played six or seven games). This defense is dominant. It has been able to keep snap counts low, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Penn State starts mixing and matching personnel early to get some of the less experienced players valuable game reps. There’s a strong chance this game takes on a developmental scrimmage feel in the second half, and if it does, a few defensive players I’ll want to get an extended look at are: freshman linebacker Tony Rojas (already burned his redshirt, has been playing on defense and special teams), redshirt freshman linebacker Keon Wylie and freshman safety King Mack (already burned his redshirt).
4. Get out of this one in good health
Yes, I could write this every week, but we all know Ohio State is on the horizon.
“The reality is we need to be in a good place going into this game, and we need to be in a good place coming out of this game, as well,” Franklin said.
It’s unclear whether starting left guard JB Nelson will be available. Nelson was carted off during the first and second quarters at Northwestern. If it was a season-ending injury then Franklin would’ve said as much these past two weeks when he’s been asked.
PSU finished the Northwestern game with Vega Ioane at left guard, and the 6-foot-4, 348-pound redshirt freshman is someone who should play a lot in this game, regardless. Franklin mentioned this week that starting right tackle Caedan Wallace has been taking reps in practice at left guard. Perhaps we see a little of that later in this game, with versatile tackle Drew Shelton taking reps likely on the left and right sides?
The game could almost serve as a second idle week for some key players — assuming this one starts out as lopsided as expected. I expect the participation report will be littered with names. The snap counts will be fun to sift through after this one.
Keep in mind
There are some familiar faces on the other side. UMass head coach Don Brown was the defensive coordinator at Maryland in 2009-2010 when Franklin was the Terrapins offensive coordinator. Tyler Rudolph, a redshirt junior safety, started his career on scholarship at PSU. The Minutemen receivers are coached by former PSU receiver Matt Zanellato.
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Don’t forget about
Bowl eligibility! I know, it’s far from everyone’s mind these days. PSU has its sights set on much loftier goals, but that sixth win is there for the taking.
The player we’ll be talking about on Sunday
QB Beau Pribula. Look for the redshirt freshman to get extensive action after Allar and the offense likely build an early lead. I wouldn’t be shocked if we also see third-string QB Jaxon Smolik late. Several PSU players could make their debuts on Saturday.
Prediction
I’m not predicting this to be PSU’s most lopsided victory of the season (PSU beat Delaware 63-7), but it will be a close second. Keep in mind PSU beat West Virginia by 23 points, Illinois by 17, Iowa by 31 and Northwestern by 28. My point: It has won handily against better teams than the Minutemen. UMass is 65th nationally in total offense (396.4 yards per game) and 126th in total defense. This is PSU’s last chance to get right before the game concludes and the Ohio State buildup hits full force.
Penn State 50, UMass 10
(Photo of Kaytron Allen: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
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