Complementary Football — A Right Triangle Identity

Triangles always add up to 180 degrees — a 90-degree anchor complements its two other 45-degree interior angles, making a right triangle.

The 45-45-90 identity is universally understood like it is for Penn State players buying into the systems promoted by James Franklin and the coaching staff.

Knowing the property of a triangle helps solve math problems, and having a strong team dynamic leads to victory on Saturdays.

During his weekly press conference, Franklin was adamant about Penn State’s complementary football identity ahead of the toughest test for this team.

Thinking of the 45-45 complementary angles in a right triangle helps explain the balancing act between the Nittany Lion offense and defense and how it contributes to that 1-0 and 90-degree anchoring angle.

Anchoring 90º = Anchoring Mindset

The buzz surrounding Saturday’s matchup against Ohio State is loud, but Franklin swatted it away and focused on discussing his Nittany Lions.

It might appear cliche, but Penn State regularly ignores the outside noise and focuses on internal development. Regardless of its opponent, the mindset is to finish the week 1-0 by continuously improving.

With a trip to Columbus, Ohio on deck, the Nittany Lions won’t be altering their style of play when facing the Buckeyes at noon on Saturday. Instead, Penn State will stick to its complementary football backbone.

“You have to be comfortable in your own skin and own who you are and how you have to play,” Franklin said.

In these 90 degrees, trust and belief in each other and the coaching staff are embodied by all in every aspect of the game.

Supporting 45-45 Degrees → Offensive and Defensive Balance

X’s and O’s traditionally represent differences between offensive and defensive positions, but Penn State focuses on the correlation between the two sides of the ball.

Considered as equal portions, each aspect represents an identical angle in the Nittany Lions’ scheme.

Ideologies of iron sharpening iron allow each side of the ball to grow and strengthen together.

Each Sunday, Mike Yurcich, Manny Diaz and Stacy Collins discuss what happened in that Saturday’s game; while some teams might opt to have each position group meet independently with its respective coordinators, Franklin values the unit working as a united whole.

“They’re learning football,” Franklin said.

Part of that process is hearing the opposite perspective of the game. What Yurcich discusses about the offense can be interpreted differently by defenders and vice versa with Diaz’s notes to the defense.

Regardless of the stat sheets, one side of the ball cannot thrive without the equal production of the other. Focusing on team stats represents the work that the offense and defense clock in during the 60 minutes of a game.

When the defense can force turnovers, and then the offense can manipulate the clock and score by reaching the end zone, each aspect of Penn State benefits.

On game day, if both the offense and defense can reach their 45-degree threshold, then the foundation triangle can reach 180 degrees to find the equation to victory.

If it was a 30-60-90 triangle, it still adds to 180 degrees, but one component would overpower the other — that’s simply not Penn State’s principle.

It’s a balancing act keeping the offense and defense at 45 degrees apiece, but that’s how the Nittany Lions roar the loudest.

Complementary football is Penn State’s right triangle identity, and to add more than 180 degrees would change its shape and ruin its foundation.

Amanda Vogt is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email amandaevogt@gmail.com.