Penn State football coach James Franklin tempered his postgame criticism of the offensive linemen Monday, saying they were more physical against FIU last weekend.
“I saw a big step last week,” Franklin said. “I saw tremendous strides.”
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Penn State went 3-for-12 on third down, couldn’t convert on several short-yardage situations and failed to reach the end zone on seven of its first eight possessions in a 34-0 win over the Panthers.
“I think there’s a lot of meat left off on the bone,” Franklin said Saturday. “We have a chance to be a dominant front. I wouldn’t necessarily say we’ve played like that up to this point. We have to get that figured out.”
He was far more forgiving Monday after evaluating the game film.
“I thought we were much more physical,” Franklin said. “There are some things I think we’ve still got to get cleaned up to create a little bit more space and create a little bit more separation.”
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Penn State gained 409 total yards against FIU, including 209 rushing yards and a 6.7 average. Kaytron Allen’s 67-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter boosted those numbers.
“I also think the running backs (Allen and Nick Singleton) making the free hitter miss on a more consistent basis will help,” he said.
Receivers blocking: Franklin described Allen’s TD run as a clinic, praising tight ends Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds and wide receivers Kyron Hudson and Trebor Pena for their downfield blocks.
“Both tight ends not only had physical blocks, they ran their guys off the field,” he said, “which allowed Kaytron to stay away from pursuit and then was able to break a tackle. Then to see those two wideouts leading him down the field, that’s one of the biggest things I’ve noticed already.
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“There has been a real change in our wide receivers in terms of their effort in blocking in the run game.”
Hudson (USC), Pena (Syracuse) and Devonte Ross (Troy) all transferred to Penn State this year. They’ve also made their marks in pass-catching.
“There are (other) examples of those guys having some physical blocks,” Franklin said. “Liam (Clifford) and Trebor had a pancake block on safeties. Those things were real positives.”
Positive returns: Defensive end Zuriah Fisher and defensive back Zion Tracy made their season debuts last week and contributed to the victory over FIU.
Fisher wasn’t credited with making a tackle, but he won most of his one-on-one battles with a Panthers offensive tackle.
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“It was great having Zuriah back,” Franklin said. “He probably played a little bit more than I wanted him to play, but he looked quick off the ball. He looked mentally confident and physically confident. He had a big smile and was flying around and having fun.”
Fisher is a sixth-year senior from Aliquippa who missed last season with a leg injury. He is the most experienced end behind Dani Dennis-Sutton.
A junior from Hempstead, N.Y., Tracy played in every game last season, including four starts at nickel back. He made 35 tackles and intercepted two passes, including one he returned 31 yards for a touchdown against Ohio State.
He had one tackle against FIU as the nickel back.
“Having Zion back was also significant,” Franklin said. “The guy has played a ton of football around here and had some big-time plays in big moments for us. So that was big.”
