To paraphrase Joe Walsh, life’s been good for the Penn State offense so far.
Through three games, Penn State has scored 127 points, good for a 42.3 PPG average.
Yep, that’ll play.
But the numbers don’t mean things have been perfect. Through three games, Penn State ranks tied for 52nd in the country in third down conversion percentage. That isn’t putrid. But it’s below the standard of a top 15 team. For context, Big Ten doormat Purdue is right behind Penn State in converting third down.
Penn State also hasn’t been great in the red zone. It ranks 102nd out of 137 FBS teams. Granted, this stat is skewed since the top 49 teams all have a 100% conversion rate.
But Penn State fans don’t need stats to know that the red zone execution has been a problem at times.
In the team’s Week 2 win at Temple, PSU had the ball in the red zone three times in the first half. It only managed three total points in those trips.
Penn State was good in the red zone overall against Buffalo. It scored five touchdowns. With that said, there was still a sequence in the first half where Penn State drove to the Buffalo 7 and had first and goal before stalling for a field goal.
PSU didn’t need to be perfect or even good in the red zone or on third down to beat Temple and Buffalo. But this week’s Big Ten opener against Wisconsin might be a different story.
The head coach and the quarterback addressed these issues Tuesday.
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“It’s critical. Situational football, talk about it all the time. Two minute offense, two minute defense, red zone offense/defense, third down. They’re all critical.
Campbell then described the flow of Saturday’s game offensively as “a little goofy on the third down piece.”
Penn State was just 2-for-10 on third down, which Campbell knows has to be better in the Big Ten.
“(I) thoughts execution – a few penalties, playing for fourth down opportunities a few times – but you’re constantly evaluating those things and it’s critical this week.
Campbell then said Penn State “needs to score points in the red zone and continue to possess the football.”
Penn State won the time of possession battle against Buffalo, but not by much (31:23 to 28:37).
“Were dynamic first two weeks and took a step back last week,” Campbell said, “and have to be much better this week.”
ROCCO’S RELAXED
Overall, Becht knows there are problems, but is confident they’ll be fixed.
