Penn State’s offense keeps running into the same wall, and Taylor Mouser knows it.
The Nittany Lions have scored only five touchdowns across their three Big Ten losses, the run game managed just 116 yards against Northwestern and USC, and the absence of Koby Howard has shown up in obvious ways. Howard, a big-play threat who last played in the Lions’ 55-13 win over Buffalo on Sept. 19, will not be back when Penn State visits Michigan on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor.
Mouser addressed the state of the offense on Tuesday, and the conversation touched just about every pressure point: the line, the receivers and the red zone.
On the offensive line, Penn State has stuck with the same starters through six games - Malachi Goodman and Anthony Donkoh at tackle, Trevor Buhr and Cooper Cousins at guard, and Brock Riker at center - but change is very much on the table. The staff sees a future in younger tackles Owen Aliciene and Garrett Sexton, and Donkoh has already logged starting snaps at guard.
“Everything has been in play there to find a way to make it better, from a personnel standpoint,” Mouser said when asked about the O-line.
“Everything has been put on the table to make it better. We have to find an answer there. That’s been a squeaky wheel for us.”
Mouser also made it clear he still believes in Amarion Jackson’s long-term value. The true freshman receiver entered the year with plenty of buzz, but with Howard sidelined, his role has stayed small. Penn State has leaned mostly on Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen at wideout, while Jackson has just one catch for 10 yards.
“He was a guy on the last couple Sundays, we’re like we gotta find a way to get that guy involved a little bit more,” Mouser said of Jackson.
“He’s earned the right to be able to do it. He is trusted. I certainly would expect to see him get a lot more snaps the rest of the way.”
The other lingering issue is finishing drives once Penn State gets inside the 20. The Lions have turned 26 trips into touchdowns only 14 times, and that lack of payoff showed again in the second half of last Saturday’s 31-23 loss to USC, when they settled for two short field goals.
“I think we made steps in the right direction (against USC), for sure,” Mouser said.
“It was good to see us sustain drives and move the football, but we have to be able to make plays in the moment to close out big games,” Mouser continued.
“The expectation is we go and we win those games.”
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 at just the right time, with LaVar Arrington II expected to return to the football team after the bye week. The son of College Football Hall of Famer LaVar Arrington spent last season contributing on special teams, and his return adds another layer to a defense looking for help in the right spots.
Coach Matt Campbell said the staff still has to decide whether Arrington II will line up at linebacker or defensive end, a choice that will shape how quickly he can make an impact. After missing time this season because of injury, his comeback gives Penn State another option to consider as it tries to maximize his value on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Faces A New Injury Concern Before Michigan Showdown
Penn State got a little clarity, and a little more uncertainty, when the Big Ten-mandated availability reports came out ahead of Saturdays trip to Ann Arbor. Two starters were upgraded and removed from the report, which is the kind of update every staff wants to see this time of year, but a starting wide receiver was added as questionable, leaving the Nittany Lions with one more situation to monitor before they face Michigan.
Michigans report stayed unchanged, with players still spread across probable, questionable, doubtful and out designations. Penn State will have two more availability reports before kickoff, so the picture could shift again before the Nittany Lions take the field in one of the biggest games on their schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Could Get A Needed Defensive Lift For Michigan
Penn State may be close to getting a boost on the defensive side as it prepares for Michigan, with linebacker Cam Smith listed as probable after missing five games because of injury. His return would give the Nittany Lions another experienced piece in the middle of the defense at a time when every healthy body matters, especially with a matchup like this one looming.
The availability report also points to more depth returning around him, with receiver Chase Sowell, defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim and defensive end Yvan Kemajou all expected to play. Koby Howard, however, remains out, so Penn State is still not completely back to full strength as it tries to line up its best answers for a significant test. [Read more 🡒]