We're losing the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball

[sct1111]

So much for PSU's crappy O-line against what was supposed to be one of our strengths. I can't believe how huge the holes were for their running backs. My grandma could have ran for 200 yards last night against our defense. Our D-line was pretty much dominated against Wazzu as well. There was absolutely no penetration. What is going on? I thought we were supposed to be bigger than ever this year.

Our O-Line had a tough assignment last night with their talented DTs which is why I was baffled we kept running HB dives. I mean we really need more of a variety of running plays. Michael Burton is severely missed. Chris Muller getting hurt really hurts us as well. Any updates on his status?

I can't see how we win too many games with how poor both our lines are at this point.

 

[realhoops2]

Nelson got torched by Austin Johnson

 

[JC16NYR]

I started a very similar thread after last week's game. I completely agree. We are really soft up front on both sides of the ball.

I will one up you on one point though.

Both of my grandmothers could have rushed for over 200 yards last night.

And they have been dead for over 10 years.

 

[rufeelinit]

Agree as well. Bigger problem than sticking with Laviano although the later is more easily solvable.

 

[zappaa]

Not to mention we have zero emotion and play with no physicality.
You need both to knock the snot of the guy infront of you.
Mental breakdowns and details my ass.
Get mad and hit somebody

 

[Ru2bnj]

This is why people need to get away from the "weight" argument. On the DL, it's about strength, quickness and "explosion". You can have bigger DL's...if they don't get off blocks and can't athletically beat the guy in front of them..it's not going to be good. Additionally, I did watch some of the game "lowlights" over a few times. This defense...especially in the backend (secondary) is not very well coached and they are often out of position, don't appear to have a great interest in tackling. They take bad angles and overrun plays...same as last year. Many of the gashing runs should be kept to 6, 7 or 8 yards. However, a safety, CB or sometimes LB will miss a tackle because they are not in position correctly and "grab" at the player. There are some gaping cut back lanes to run in. So the run goes for 15 or 20 yards. Same issue last year. I know there are a lot of young players back there...but if that doesn't improve....get ready for some 400 yd + rushing games by the opponents.

 

[GSGS]

Matt Millen mentioned how low man wins and his viewing of film before the game showed that both teams had big issues with their lines not getting leverage.

 

[MozRU]

Not to mention we have zero emotion and play with no physicality.

It's tough to read posts like this as a guy who played football from 8yrs old to 22. Trust me it isn't often you play with no emotion. You may come out flat for various reason (big loss or big win the weekend before, long flight, etc...), but you come around and start knocking heads.

With that said, if it looks like there is "no emotion or no physicality" to the viewer over a course of the game, that usually means the opponent is just dominating you, IMO. They are just taking you out of the game. That is what we saw Saturday. Penn State just kicked our...

After what happened to PSU's program it is APPALLING THAT THERE IS A TALENT DISPARITY. FLOOD MUST GO.

 

[zappaa]

Moz
It seems there are two camps on this board, one is we have talent that's not coached up, the other is as you point out, we're just plain over matched.
The emotion part is evident in every game a lesser talented team hangs around with a chance to win in the fourth quarter. IMO
For us I think it's a little of both.
The fact is you can't compete and pay attention to your assignment and detail when you're getting knocked off the ball and run over all game

 

[billhobo]

The initial post sums up what I saw as well. As bad as the defensive line got dominated, the O line did nothing for the running backs. Just a bad effort all around and I hope we can at least get past Kansas on Saturday. This has the trappings of a LONG season.

 

[zappaa]

The initial post sums up what I saw as well. As bad as the defensive line got dominated, the O line did nothing for the running backs. Just a bad effort all around and I hope we can at least get past Kansas on Saturday. This has the trappings of a LONG season.

Yup, we keep talking about our defensive backfield being in jail, while both O and D lines are getting dominated…you could have a Tom Brady back there and he'd get crushed.

 

[Scarlet16E]

The OP Nailed it.
Games are won and lost in the trenches, and we do not look like a good football team on either line right now.
No push on our running plays. We replaced several starters on the O-line and it shows big time.
No penetration against passing plays. inability to stop opposing running plays. When your safety's are getting all the tackles against opposing RB's, there is a real problem.
This is going to be a long season.
Kansas is no gimme with these lines.

 

[LotusAggressor]

After the last OL coach got fired, his replacement said that the problem he saw was that the o~line didn't play with any leverage. They still don't. It makes me wonder what exactly is being taught and practiced. And clearly, the weight room records that were trumpeted in the spring aren't translating on the field. Both lines are getting rag dolled and pancaked on a regular basis.

 

[BiggyRU]

I think Our O-line happens to be pretty good.
Penn State has maybe the best D-line we will face all year ( fyi Zettle did not play vs temple...hes a beast)..

So take PSU's stout D-line into consideration plus no carroo, ru's lack of deep threat and you have a team completely keying in on the run....Also facto lack of creativity or willingness to throw on 1st down.

Going forward I think we will see a pretty solid running game...

To me the issue is D-Line...We cant stop the run and we have ZERO pass rush. Joseph and Wilkins add size but they have yet to show anything..

 

[kupuna133]

Not to mention we have zero emotion and play with no physicality.
You need both to knock the snot of the guy infront of you.
Mental breakdowns and details my ass.
Get mad and hit somebody

Both sides of the ball play so tentative. Muller is the only one who plays with passion or a nasty streak everyone else plays like they want the whistle to blow prior to contact. Noticed the same tentative style and approach when Flood was the OC that season. Lots of finesse and timing rather than nose on nose toes on toes beat the guy across from you football

 

[Scarlet16E]

Our O-line wasn't getting any push against WSU either. Not until late in the game when their D-line got tired.

 

[Nihilist Rodgers]

I think Our O-line happens to be pretty good.
Penn State has maybe the best D-line we will face all year ( fyi Zettle did not play vs temple...hes a beast)..

So take PSU's stout D-line into consideration plus no carroo, ru's lack of deep threat and you have a team completely keying in on the run....Also facto lack of creativity or willingness to throw on 1st down.

Going forward I think we will see a pretty solid running game...

To me the issue is D-Line...We cant stop the run and we have ZERO pass rush. Joseph and Wilkins add size but they have yet to show anything..

Zettle played... the defense destroyed Temple until our stud MLB who calls the plays went down.. and then OLB Brandon Bell went down.. and then the backup #8 MLB (who is not very good) went down.. We had 2 prospective RS's LB's burn their redshirts that day.. we lack depth and started developing kids that afternoon. Still a ways to go, but on the right track.

The offense was averaging 8 ypc... so we decided to let Hack "win the game". Also, Lynch is ok, he simply runs to the whole that is called.. but Barkley is outta site, and we have 2 kids on the bench probaby better than Lynch in Nick Scott and RS Andre Robinson. The RAIN saved us, we stopped being cute and started using our size and RB's.-sg

 

[SanFranRutgers]

So much for PSU's crappy O-line against what was supposed to be one of our strengths. I can't believe how huge the holes were for their running backs. My grandma could have ran for 200 yards last night against our defense. Our D-line was pretty much dominated against Wazzu as well. There was absolutely no penetration. What is going on? I thought we were supposed to be bigger than ever this year.

Our O-Line had a tough assignment last night with their talented DTs which is why I was baffled we kept running HB dives. I mean we really need more of a variety of running plays. Michael Burton is severely missed. Chris Muller getting hurt really hurts us as well. Any updates on his status?

I can't see how we win too many games with how poor both our lines are at this point.

Yup, and apparently it's all Chris Laviano's fault.

 

[Goku]

many of you guys are just fine with these 2-star recruiting classes from Flood...it will only get worse in the next few years.

 

[RU31trap]

I believe there are multiple issues to be addressed.
1. Lack of coaching
2. Talent and size gap in the trenches
3. Lack of leadership on the field

The arrests, suspension of coach Flood and Caroo really hurt the team. However, I do see bright spots on this team. A good stable of RB with a bright future. A very good punt returner. A couple of nice TE's and a good WR. Start building around these athletes.

 

[Pils86]

I am with Biggy on this, our OL has good size and were all 3 or 4 star recruits. Tight formations and lack of a deep ball allow the defense to pinch in and decrease the odds of a good gain. Where were the screens, the sweeps, the naked bootleg, the quick outs to the WR's??? DL is a little light and all four starters are hurting. Even so PSU was held scoreless in the first and third quarter. The Lynch run was the dagger.

 

[scarletrider]

Yup, and apparently it's all Chris Laviano's fault.

You're right. It's not all on Laviano but he didn't help. He threw so many over Agudosi head. If those were thrown well we could have had some momentum changers.

 

[RUforJERSEY]

Both sides of the ball play so tentative. Muller is the only one who plays with passion or a nasty streak everyone else plays like they want the whistle to blow prior to contact. Noticed the same tentative style and approach when Flood was the OC that season. Lots of finesse and timing rather than nose on nose toes on toes beat the guy across from you football

Its not like Muller was really blocking anybody while he was in there. He's the one that got abused so bad by Zettel in 2014. Denman was really getting tossed around this past Saturday too.