Penn State might not be focused on stats, but here’s why they matter

The bye week provides time for reflection and ample preparation for the second half of the season. It’s no secret that tougher opponents loom with Ohio State and Michigan on the horizon, but Penn State has dawned on something statistically special this season.

This isn’t a program that hounds on the numbers yet. There’s importance to the digits and figures that have Penn State leading the nation in several categories. For James Franklin, the stats reinforce the good and shine the light on the bad, but “they tell a story” to what Penn State football really is and where its potential lies.

At No. 6 in the AP Top 25 poll for the second consecutive week after the 41-13 Northwestern beatdown, here’s why the stats matter and how they correlate to the team’s 5-0 record.

Time of Possession – 1st in the Nation

Penn State is averaging 36 minutes with the ball in each game and is beating down on opponents simply by sustaining longer drives and translating turnovers into points.

Think of it like a “help me, help you” relationship between the offense and defense. Coordinators Mike Yurcich and Manny Diaz are vocal with the team about the importance of the clock and the score drastically shifting between each defensive stop.

In turn, opponents are only averaging 24 minutes against the Nittany Lions and about 130 fewer plays per game. Looking at the ranks, Penn State only averages one minute more of possession than Air Force, but the differences between each team in the top 20 of the possession category are minimal.

However, even a four-minute difference between the Nittany Lions and Michigan could be pivotal. That could be an extra drive within that time that Penn State is used to having, and possession between two football powerhouses is usually the difference between a win and a loss.

Possession reflects the effectiveness of the defense, which has also contributed to how the blue and white find its way to victory.

Turnover Margin – 1st in the Nation

Through five games, the Nittany Lions have recorded 12 turnovers, with 10 in the last three games. Quarterback Drew Allar still has not thrown any interceptions as a first-year starter, and there has only been one fumble on special teams.

With a margin of 11, Penn State is two better than Maryland, which it faces in early November. Surprisingly, Ohio State only has a margin of two and Michigan one.

The Nittany Lions’ ability to render extra possessions and take away opponent’s chances has been a strong difference maker and a credit to the entire defense.

Franklin has touched on how team success promotes individual accomplishments (such as turnovers) and how important it is for his defense to work as a complete unit and not the defensive line separate from the backfield.

Inevitably, of those 12 turnovers, six have been fumble recoveries, and six have been interceptions — a credit and proof to the balance that Penn State preaches through its system.

Total Defense – 1st in the Nation

Against the Nittany Lions, opponents are only averaging 9.60 points per game; West Virginia scored the most with 15 in the season opener, but opponents like Delaware and Iowa have failed to crack the code.

Only conceding roughly 3.79 yards per play is about a half-yard less than most other teams; however, Penn State has struggled with more explosive rushes or sometimes forcing stops on third and long.

Twenty sacks and 12 turnovers have shaped the unit’s effectiveness, but the in-game breakdown of having fewer of one compared to the other is not a reflection of poor continuity, but the opposite — each game poses its battles that require different situational football decision-making.

Diaz’s defense relied on pressuring Northwestern’s quarterback and forcing sacks to force tougher yardages compared to the six turnovers against Illinois — it feeds off the opponents’ offensive strategy and how Penn State can best defeat it.

Third and Fourth Down Efficiency – 40th and 5th in the Nation

Penn State’s offense has suffered from slower starts and relied on second-half surges to seize commanding victories.

Converting 44.9% of third downs hasn’t been as consistent as Franklin would like, considering he’s urged for more efficiency on first and second downs to alleviate third-and-long instances.

Comparatively, Michigan is in the top five with a 56.6 conversion percentage, which is something the Nittany Lion defense has to prepare for.

Regardless, even if the chains aren’t moved on first down, Penn State isn’t afraid to leave its offense out on the field: of 11 attempted fourth downs, 10 have been successful in keeping drives alive.

Last weekend against Northwestern, the blue and white converted on fourth-and-six which led to its first points of the contest.

Not being afraid reflects the offensive trust to make a play when a third-down conversion is short.

The stats explain some of Penn State’s tendencies; naturally, outliers remain and are not fully present within the values representing the bigger picture.

“We’re not a big stat team,” Franklin said. “But [stats] kind of reinforce some things that you’re doing right and allow you to also kind of look into some things that you need to do better.”

How the Nittany Lions continue finding new ways to improve will set the tone for the second half of the season.

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