NFL
By: Courtney Walsh
It is always good to be home, and that is where Penn State finds itself this week. The current 8th-ranked team in the land has its home opener against Bowling Green. After the performance last week James Franklins’ crew looks to build off that offense explosion and work on the opportunities as well. The Nittany Lions have a bye in week 3 and should be heavy favorites over the next few games, before hitting the meat of the schedule. This is a game where you can not look past who you’re facing. This is not the first big-time game for Bowling Green so the bright lights and crowd size won’t have them shook. Like any other road team they will look to create turnovers and most likely set the tone with their run game and keep Drew Allar and the offense off the field. How do we win and move to 2-0? Here are my 3 keys to victory.
Stop The Run Game
The Falcons want to play keep away from the explosive PSU offense the ground game can do that if it works. Last week running back Terion Stewart had a day! He finished with 3 touchdowns, 161 yards rushing, and made a lot of guys look bad with missed tackles. Making him a nonfactor will go a long way in getting the job done for Penn State. We saw some new names step up and have an impact last week starting with the Big 10 Defensive Player of The Week safety K.J. Winston along with the latest in the long line of PSU linebackers Tony Rojas. It was expected after losing guys along the defensive line to the NFL it would take a few games for those guys to gel. This game is yet another chance for that to happen. I want to see Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak be forced to make plays and throw the ball so we can rush and pick off a pass or 3. For a team that sets the table for its offense with its run game, this was an easy key.
Go Deep, Drew
The dink-and-dunk offense of the past is gone! Yes, after ONE game I feel confident in saying that explosive plays are back and I want more. And that doesn’t mean only through the air the running game made its share of big plays as well. Drew needs to get more real-time reps with a talented WR group and spread the ball around. All of these opportunities will pay off down the road when things get harder. It was Trey Wallace who was the star of the passing game have we found a possible WR1? Time will tell and I want to see the tight ends get some love this week as well. Bowling Green has a secondary that has seen a good amount of playing time so this is a good challenge for us early in the season. You gave us a taste of what a 21st-century college football offense looks like and we want more of it.
Be A Top 10 Team
What the hell does that mean Courtney? It means attack and don’t let up. Bowling Green as I said isn’t some new kid to the major CFB block this program has beaten the likes of Minnesota, and Georgia Tech. Come out and punch them in the mouth and keep swinging. This is a new offense so dig in that playbook and see what sticks, get some of the backups in, and give them a shot. The Nittany Lions should roll big in this one and get their second W of the season. If I had to pick a score I would say 45-17 the most important choice I want to make this Saturday is what jersey to wear on game day and where I am going to tailgate. #WeAre
