Penn State football notebook | Flexibility on the offensive line, emphasis on UMass

For the second consecutive season, No. 6 Penn State has gone through its first five games without a loss.

Last year, the undefeated season was stopped when the Nittany Lions lost to No. 5 Michigan coming off of the bye week. For the first time in the James Franklin era, the blue and white are set to play a non conference opponent out of its bye week.

James Franklin met with the media twice this week to discuss a homecoming matchup with the UMass Minutemen.

Here’s a look at three key takeaways.

Flexibility on the Offensive Line

It is said that the best ability is availability, but for Penn State, it might just be the flexibility that reigns supreme.

For several years, Penn State’s offensive line was in question, but to begin the 2023 campaign, things were different around Phil Trautwein’s unit. Despite Landon Tengwall’s medical retirement just three days before the season-opener, the Nittany Lions returned not only a veteran group but one that added a highly-touted freshman class to the mix.

Availability comes into question this week for Penn State as redshirt junior guard J.B. Nelson was seen leaving the blue and white’s last contest, a 41-13 win over Northwestern, on a cart. The Pittsburgh native has not been seen during the media viewing of practice since that game, and Franklin gave little when asked about his starter’s status.

If Nelson is unavailable for the game against UMass, Vega Ioane would likely take his spot just as he did when Nelson was a bit under the weather for the week two matchup against Delaware. However, flexibility from starting right tackle Caedan Wallace leaves more options for Penn State.

“I think Caedan is a guy that has the feet and athleticism to play tackle, but he’s also got the size and power to play guard,” Franklin said Wednesday night. “He just creates flexibility that’s good for us.”

Wallace’s potential to play guard opens a spot for sophomore tackle Drew Shelton. The Downingtown, Pennsylvania native started the final five games of last season at left tackle after Olu Fashanu was injured but was left without a spot due to Fashanu’s return.

“That transition going from the left side to the right side was hard on him, but he’s adjusted really well,” Franklin said. “I think our coaches and his teammates have a lot of confidence in his ability to do it. He’s approached it the right way. He’s gotten bigger and stronger.”

Lawnboyz Landscape

Last season, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen became the first Big Ten freshman duo to rush for over 700 yards apiece.

Those two are rushing for an average of 4.13 yards per carry through the first five games, which is a decrease from their 5.97 yards per attempt a season ago. While Franklin still believes his top pair of running backs have been successful, he realizes that simplifying things from a coaching perspective could lead to more.

“Those guys have an uncanny way of seeing and feeling things that the average human being can’t,” Franklin said. “Sometimes as the offensive coordinator, running backs coach or the head coach, if you’re kind of questioning a running backs decision, what you don’t want is for him to second guess himself in the hole. Just do what comes naturally to him.”

Those instincts are not only seen in Allen and Singleton but also in a new pair of classmates in the running back room: Cam Wallace and London Montgomery.

“Cam is up to around 192 right now. He’s done really well,” Franklin said of the Georgia native. “London has struggled to put some weight on, but in terms of football IQ and in terms of their instincts and vision, they’ve shown that.”

A third addition to the running back room during the offseason for the Nittany Lions has taken the pressure off of the freshman duo. Minnesota transfer Trey Potts, who has rushed for 111 yards, caught two passes for 46 yards and even thrown an 11-yard touchdown, has earned the third spot on the depth chart.

“Being able to get Trey in here has been really valuable because you weren’t dependent on an undersized, true freshman back that could be your third back,” Franklin said.

Planning Ahead

Nope, Penn State isn’t planning for anyone other than UMass.

“We’re focused on UMass,” Shelton said when asked if the team had watched any film on their next opponent. “We’re focused on UMass right now, and that’s what we’re really trying to attack.”

Instead, the Nittany Lion coaching staff has created a plan to ensure playing time for their freshman faces, such as the aforementioned Wallace and Montgomery.

“A lot of these guys, hopefully, you’ll have the opportunity to see late in the year because, for a lot of these guys, we’re saving at least two if not more games for at the end of the season,” Franklin said.

One snap used to burn a redshirt, but with the new rules allowing athletes to play in four games without penalty, the Nittany Lions have only seen four players burn their redshirts this season: King Mack, Tony Rojas, Zion Tracy and Elliot Washington.

It’s unclear when these opportunities will exactly take place, but whether they are against UMass this week or further down the road against Rutgers or Michigan State, expect to see the No. 14 overall class in the country to get game action.

Justin Ciavolella is a third-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jtc5751@psu.edu.