Penn State soccer coach James Franklin tempered his postgame criticism of the offensive linemen Monday, saying they have been extra bodily towards FIU final weekend.
“I noticed an enormous step final week,” Franklin mentioned. “I noticed large strides.”
Penn State went 3-for-12 on third down, couldn’t convert on a number of short-yardage conditions and failed to achieve the top zone on seven of its first eight possessions in a 34-0 win over the Panthers.
“I believe there’s numerous meat left off on the bone,” Franklin mentioned Saturday. “We’ve an opportunity to be a dominant entrance. I wouldn’t essentially say we’ve performed like that up so far. We’ve to get that found out.”
He was much more forgiving Monday after evaluating the sport movie.
“I assumed we have been far more bodily,” Franklin mentioned. “There are some issues I believe we’ve nonetheless bought to get cleaned as much as create slightly bit extra space and create slightly bit extra separation.”
Penn State gained 409 complete yards towards FIU, together with 209 speeding yards and a 6.7 common. Kaytron Allen’s 67-yard landing run late within the fourth quarter boosted these numbers.
“I additionally suppose the operating backs (Allen and Nick Singleton) making the free hitter miss on a extra constant foundation will assist,” he mentioned.
Receivers blocking: Franklin described Allen’s TD run as a clinic, praising tight ends Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds and extensive receivers Kyron Hudson and Trebor Pena for his or her downfield blocks.
“Each tight ends not solely had bodily blocks, they ran their guys off the sector,” he mentioned, “which allowed Kaytron to keep away from pursuit after which was capable of break a sort out. Then to see these two wideouts main him down the sector, that’s one of many greatest issues I’ve seen already.
“There was an actual change in our extensive receivers by way of their effort in blocking within the run sport.”
Hudson (USC), Pena (Syracuse) and Devonte Ross (Troy) all transferred to Penn State this 12 months. They’ve additionally made their marks in pass-catching.
“There are (different) examples of these guys having some bodily blocks,” Franklin mentioned. “Liam (Clifford) and Trebor had a pancake block on safeties. These issues have been actual positives.”
Constructive returns: Defensive finish Zuriah Fisher and defensive again Zion Tracy made their season debuts final week and contributed to the victory over FIU.
Fisher wasn’t credited with making a sort out, however he gained most of his one-on-one battles with a Panthers offensive sort out.
“It was nice having Zuriah again,” Franklin mentioned. “He in all probability performed slightly bit greater than I wished him to play, however he appeared fast off the ball. He appeared mentally assured and bodily assured. He had an enormous smile and was flying round and having enjoyable.”
Fisher is a sixth-year senior from Aliquippa who missed final season with a leg damage. He’s essentially the most skilled finish behind Dani Dennis-Sutton.
A junior from Hempstead, N.Y., Tracy performed in each sport final season, together with 4 begins at nickel again. He made 35 tackles and intercepted two passes, together with one he returned 31 yards for a landing towards Ohio State.
He had one sort out towards FIU because the nickel again.
“Having Zion again was additionally important,” Franklin mentioned. “The man has performed a ton of soccer round right here and had some big-time performs in massive moments for us. In order that was massive.”
