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PSU’s offensive line challenge heads into fall

(PSU SPORTS) Penn State’s Dan Chisena catches a pass in Saturday’s Blue and White game.

By NEIL RUDEL

For The Express

UNIVERSITY PARK – It’s not wise to emerge from the Blue-White Game armed with sweeping conclusions.

The game is less than a glorified scrimmage because the playbook is “vanilla,” according to James Franklin, who also stacks the roster heavily in favor of the Blue team.

The first team and second teams typically comprise the Blue while the White is made up of walk-ons and freshmen.

Which may be why Franklin did offer some candor after the Blue’s 24-7 victory when he admitted, “I thought we could have run the ball better.”

The Blue managed 56 yards rushing on 18 carries (3.1 average) with the longest run an 11-yarder by quarterback Sean Clifford In a game where the QBs can’t be tackled.

Franklin said the next couple months will help forge the team’s identity and “who we’re going to be.”

He did praise the work of true freshman running back Noah Cain, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry against the Blue defense, then switched jerseys and got more work with the Blue.

Franklin called Cain “decisive,” and while it’s likely Ricky Slade will be the starter, Cain’s efforts will create some competition along with Journey Brown.

But the quality of Penn State’s running backs haven’t been at issue in the last couple of years. Any team would take Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders.

It’s no secret that the Lions’ offensive line has been less than imposing, particularly when games hang in the balance and a couple first downs are the difference between winning and losing.

That seemed to be the message Franklin was sending Saturday, and it’s understandable.

In breaking in a first-year starting quarterback, whether it’s Tommy Stevens or Clifford, along with a skill-position group made up of almost all sophomores, it sure will take some pressure off everybody if the offensive line can stand up and be counted.

“I think we’re going to be really physical up front,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said.

Maybe he means like Kentucky was with the Citrus Bowl on the line.

Off an average line, the Lions lost Connor McGovern and Ryan Bates to early NFL departures. And they almost lost three-year Steven Gonzalez, who decided at the last minute to stay.

“After long talks with my family, I have finally decided to come back for my last year at PSU,” he said in a formatted Twitter statement typically reserved for those leaving. “I am excited to come back and get to work on myself as a player and a man.”

Gonzalez’s return should bolster a line that returns fellow starters Michal Menet (center), tackle Will Fries and likely starter C.J. Thorpe, who is back from a temporary move to defense.

Fries, who has played both tackle spots and will probably be opposite Rasheed Walker, called Gonzalez’s return “huge.”

“Steven is a staple of our offensive line,” Fries said. “It’s great to have him back – a veteran presence. I think it put us a step ahead of where we would have been.”

Offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne was also disappointed in Saturday’s ground game, but he said he was pleased with the overall spring progress.

He, too, is stressing mindset.

“We’ve got some experience (on the line),” he said. “I expect them to set the mentality of the offense — to be a physical team that can run the ball when we want to … finishing guys, being great in pass protection with a great pocket. Because we have the talent and experience to do that.”

Fries agrees and welcomes the challenge.

“To me, it’s really on the O-line,” he said. “We’ve got a bunch of older guys now – Mike, Steve, myself. I think it’s up to us to step up and set the tone for our season and the culture of our program.”

Trace McSorley handled so many leadership responsibilities in the past that must now be distributed – especially with a road schedule that includes trips to Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa.

“It’s on us to be more vocal,” Fries said. “We need to be more physical up front and set the tone in camp to put us in a place where we need to be.”

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