University Park— Penn State coach James Franklin said he challenged both sides of the line during practice over the week while preparing for Illinois.
The offensive line must have taken the challenge to heart. It constantly paved the way for running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton on Saturday night.
Penn State gained 239 yards on the ground — 103 from Allen and 94 more from Singleton on their way to a 21-7 win over the Illini.
“I think the O line and tight ends are playing a physical brand of football,” Franklin said. “They’re doing a great job of protecting our quarterback. They’re allowing us to get ahead of the sticks.”
Franklin said he is unsure that there are a better combination of running backs in the country than Allen and Singleton.
“There were physical runs out there today,” Franklin said. “I couldn’t be more proud of that group and how they’re playing. When you’re able to run the ball like that on offense, good things are going to happen for you.”
As for the offensive linemen, right guard Vega Ioane felt like the Illinois defensive line started to wear down as early as the second quarter.
“It didn’t seem like they wanted to try anymore,” Ioane said. “It’s a good feeling. We’re playing our hardest at 100 percent, and we notice our opponents don’t want to play anymore. That makes us want to go even harder.”
Don’t think for a second that the skill positions didn’t notice that either, and quarterback Drew Allar appreciated the offensive front’s efforts.
“You can kind of just see it naturally happening,” Allar said. “I think the O line takes great pride in making that happen. They’re a super-physical group up front. To see that was a really good sign.”
“I’ve told the O line, ‘We go as they go.’ Whether it’s pass protection or run protection, they’re the catalyst for our offense. The skill positions get most of the glamor, but our offensive line has been phenomenal the first four games.”
Allar only had 135 passing yards for the day, and most of that was done in the first half. But it was a day that the air attack was unneeded for the most part when rushing yards were being taken with ease.
“You’re stupid to get away from it,” Franklin said. “(Offensive coordinator) Andy (Kotelnicki) was doing a great job calling the game.”
For the first Big Ten meeting, it was an effort for the offensive line that the rest of the conference may want to take note of for the rest of the season.
“We didn’t do anything different,” Ioane said. “We just went out there and played the way we’re capable. Some guys showed up a lot more today.”
