Lions need to play again as they did versus Virginia
Penn State needs a win Saturday if there is any hope to salvage this season on the field. And they can get that win.
First, Navy is not as good as either Ohio or Virginia, the two teams to which Penn State has lost so far.
Second, Penn State played much better against Virginia than against Ohio. The Lions need to play the game they did last week again.
Third, all the things that went wrong last week can’t possibly happen again.
If Sam Ficken can’t hit more than one of five field goals and two of three extra points, the Lions must find another kicker–audition soccer players. Bill O’Brien insists Ficken is kicking well in practice, and the rest of the team admirably stuck by him.
PSU MUST get better in the red zone. The defense gifted the offense with two turnovers inside the Cavaliers 20, and PSU came up with two missed field goals. Matt McGloin and company have to put the ball in the end zone more often from in close.
Receivers have to make big catches. Allen Robinson dropped a touchdown pass that could have sealed it. With Shawney Kersey now gone, reserves who would likely have rarely seen the Beaver Stadium turf without the defections have their chance.
The defense must get off the field on third down. Despite playing an overall good game against Virginia, Penn State gave up four third down conversions on UVA’s game winning, 93-yard drive late in the game.
Penn State showed last week it can be a pretty good team. Now, the Lions have to put it together for 60 minutes and get that first win in the bag.
