Penn State’s second-half adjustments: 4 areas where the Nittany Lions can improve during stretch run

It’s hard to find many faults with Penn State’s play through the first six games. The Nittany Lions, coming off a 4-5 season, are ranked No. 7 in the AP poll with victories over Wisconsin, Auburn and Indiana.

Of course, 5-1 Penn State did close out the first half of the season on a sour note, dropping a 23-20 decision to then-No. 3 Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. The Lions couldn’t hold a 17-3 first-half lead and there is no question the second-quarter injury suffered by starting quarterback Sean Clifford had a major impact on the outcome vs. the Hawkeyes.

But Iowa is in the rear-view mirror.

Here is a look at what Penn State can possibly do better with an eye toward a second-half schedule that includes road dates against Ohio State and Michigan State and a home game with Michigan.

Get more big bodies involved on the defensive line.

Penn State’s depth is going to be tested. Projected starting defensive end Adisa Isaac (undisclosed injury) and backup defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon (undisclosed issue) haven’t played a down, and the Lions lost standout veteran defensive tackle PJ Mustipher to a season-ending injury in the Iowa loss.

The Lions are short a few bodies and defensive coordinator Brent Pry and line coach John Scott Jr. probably need to find another tackle and end for depth purposes.

Penn State end Arnold Ebiketie (nine tackles for loss, four sacks, four quarterback hits) has been the team’s best lineman but there is risk in giving him too many snaps. Ebiketie, Nick Tarburton and Jesse Luketa have been the Lions’ three primary ends. They could use a fourth. Maybe Smith Vilbert?

At the tackle spots, Penn State will likely lean on Derrick Tangelo and Dvon Ellies. But who plays behind them? Coziah Izzard will see time but three tackles won’t be enough against the likes of the Buckeyes, the Wolverines and the Spartans.

More “looks” for Theo Johnson in the passing game.

Penn State knows what it has in wideouts Jahan Dotson (43 catches, 494 yards, six scores) and Parker Washington (28-357-2). Second-year wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith (18 receptions, 15.8 average) has also had his moments.

Another big body to watch is second-year tight end Theo Johnson, who makes something happen with the ball in his hands. He has five catches and a touchdown and the 6-6, 256-pound Johnson is averaging 22.2 yards per reception.

Get Ta’Quan Roberson more comfortable.

Or just comfortable, in general. He struggled to adjust to the raucous atmosphere inside Kinnick Stadium and, yes, Iowa’s terrific defense had plenty to do with some of Roberson’s issues.

But the final numbers for Penn State’s backup quarterback against the Hawkeyes say it all: 7 for 21, 34 yards and two interceptions.

The Lions won’t face a better defense than Iowa’s during their final six games but Penn State’s offense left a few plays out on the field in Iowa City. If Roberson is going to assume a bigger role in the second half, a 33-percent completion rate won’t do.

Fix the running game.

Let’s save the most obvious one for last. Penn State is averaging 3.7 yards per game and the Lions do have eight rushing touchdowns, but there were long stretches in the first half that PSU was stuffed in the run game. Villanova, an FCS team, did not allow much to the Lions on the ground (just 80 yards).

Noah Cain has the most attempts (67) but he is averaging only 3.0 yards per carry. Kevyone Lee is averaging 5.4 yards on 38 attempts but he has yet to find the end zone. The other contenders for carries in Penn State’s run game, John Lovett and Devyn Ford, could not finish the Iowa game due to undisclosed injuries.

An improved running game could take some of the pressure off Penn State’s quarterbacks. And if Clifford is not ready when the Lions resume play Oct. 23 against Illinois at Beaver Stadium, Roberson will need all of the help the runners can provide.