Penn State is still chasing its first Big Ten win of the season, and the formula for doing it in Ann Arbor starts with a simple idea: make the offense more complete.
Rocco Becht is carrying plenty of the weight, and last week against USC he put up 289 yards while taking a hard look at his own play afterward. He wasn’t the reason the Lions lost, but there were still throws he’d like back. Even so, it’s hard to pin much on a quarterback who came within range of 300 yards and didn’t turn it over.
The bigger issue is getting more out of the passing game around him, especially through tight end Khalil Brahmer. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser called it unacceptable that Brahmer finished with just one reception against the Trojans.
One of those missed chances may have been the high throw Becht sailed in the back of the end zone to the 6-foot-7 target. Brahmer arrived with plenty of credit after earning All-Big 12 honors at tight end last year, but that form has not shown up nearly enough in the Big Ten.
Penn State’s defense also has to look different after last week’s loss. Dropping more players into coverage made sense against USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, but it didn’t work.
Maiava still ripped up the secondary for 301 yards, and the Lions never really adjusted. Against Michigan and struggling quarterback Bryce Underwood, that approach should change.
The Lions need more pressure, more blitzes, and more movement up front through stunts and twists.
If Penn State wants to quiet the Big House, the best route is the oldest one: score early and keep going. It may not be the White Out environment, and Michigan may not be quite as dangerous as usual, but a fast start would still go a long way toward taking the crowd out of the game. A Becht deep ball to Chase Sowell would fit the moment nicely.
There’s also a clear need for help behind Tony Rojas. The linebacker remains one of the best in the country and already owns half of Penn State’s eight sacks this season.
But beyond him, production has been thin, and that problem just got worse with Alex Tatsch out for the rest of the season with an injury. The Lions don’t just need depth at linebacker anymore - they need somebody to step in and give Rojas real support.
In Other News...
Penn State Could Be Getting A Familiar Name Back For A Key Need
Penn State may be getting a familiar name back just as the season moves into a crucial stretch. LaVar Arrington II, the son of College Football Hall of Famer LaVar Arrington, is expected to return to the football team after the bye week, giving the Nittany Lions another option as they look to shore up a need on defense. He spent last season contributing on special teams, and his return adds an intriguing layer for a roster that could use another versatile piece.
The bigger question is where he fits once he is cleared to come back. Coach Matt Campbell said the staff will decide whether Arrington II lines up at linebacker or defensive end, with the goal of putting him in the best spot to make an impact. After missing time this season because of injury, his next role could help determine not just how Penn State uses him, but how quickly he can carve out a meaningful place in the defense again. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Offense May Be Forced Into A Shakeup At Worst Time
Penn States offense is staring at a delicate stretch, and the timing is hardly ideal. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser pointed to a handful of issues that have slowed the unit in Big Ten play, from the lack of production in three conference losses to the absence of wide receiver Koby Howard because of injury. The Nittany Lions have also come up short too often inside the 20-yard line, turning promising drives into field goals or empty possessions instead of touchdowns.
Mouser said the staff may have to consider changes up front, while freshman receiver Amarion Jackson could also see more of the field as the offense looks for answers. Those adjustments would come as Penn State tries to clean up red zone execution, where the margin for error has become increasingly thin. The next step is finding out whether the reshuffle can spark enough consistency to matter before the schedule tightens any further. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Just Entered A Long-Term Recruiting Fight In Pennsylvania
Deion Sanders is already taking an early swing in Pennsylvania. Colorado recently extended a scholarship offer to Kaleb Woseley, a 2028 cornerback at Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia, and Woseley shared the news publicly on social media as his recruiting profile continues to rise.
For Penn State, the bigger takeaway is that one of the states most promising young defensive backs is drawing attention well before signing day ever becomes a factor. Woseley is viewed as a versatile player with interest from multiple power-conference programs, and Colorados move signals an effort to get in on the ground floor and start building a relationship long before the chase really tightens. [Read more 🡒]