While leading by 10 points, Penn State decided to run on third-and-12 midway through the fourth quarter. Running back James Peoples didn’t pick up the first down as boos echoed through Beaver Stadium.
It was the fourth time that offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser called a run in a third-and-long situation in a 24-20 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday.
“It’s always situational for me,” Mouser said Tuesday. “The defense had been playing so good up to that point, didn’t want to put them in a bad spot, have something bad happen. Didn’t have a ton of rhythm going in the pass game up to that point either. So it was take the less of two evils and play the field position game, as dumb as that sounds and as much as I hate to say that.”
Those third-and-long decisions were just some of the head-scratchers from the Nittany Lions first loss of the season (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) and showed where the offense needs to grow ahead of their road matchup against Northwestern (2-1, 0-1) on Friday night (8 o’clock).
“You got to stay focused on what the goal is,” Mouser said. “And the goal for us on a short week has to be the work. We just don’t have the time to be able to dwell on it and feel sorry for yourself. No one else does. And this Northwestern team is going to try to murder us.”
Red zone struggles
Penn State has made 20 red-zone trips this year, but only 10 have ended in a touchdown. Against Wisconsin, the Nittany Lions reached the 1-yard line on their second possession, but settled for a field goal.
“I’m frustrated with that,” Mouser said. “And it’s an ongoing message. … Are we playing the right people? Are we handing it to the right people? Are we throwing to the right people? Are the right people in the right spots to be able to block and execute the plays? We haven’t been able to do that, and it’s our job as coaches to figure that out.”
Penn State went 1 of 3 on red-zone trips, with the lone touchdown coming off sophomore cornerback Daryus Dixson’s interception that set up the Nittany Lions at the Badgers’ 11-yard line.
These red-zone struggles first popped up against Temple, with Penn State’s first three opportunities only resulting in three points. The issues haven’t gone away.
Lack of tight end usage
Senior Benjamin Brahmer was the only tight end with a catch in Saturday’s loss, finishing with four receptions. Redshirt senior Gabe Burkle was targeted twice, while redshirt junior Andrew Rappleyea was thrown to once.
“I still walk out of the game frustrated with my inability to get those guys the ball as much as we should,” Mouser said. “Rapp’s one of our best pass catchers and didn’t find a way to get the ball more. Same with Ben and even with Gabe.”
Mouser took accountability for the lack of targets his tight ends received, and knows he needs to rely on Brahmer and his fellow tight ends in the passing game with top wide receiver Koby Howard out for the foreseeable future.
“Those three are some of our best pass catchers and we’re going to have to find ways to get them the ball in easier ways that we can make those throws,” Mouser said. “I still don’t think we’ve sniffed just how good that room can be and the standard I think those guys can play with.”
Becht’s poor showing
Rocco Becht said Tuesday he plays better on the road, so it’s a good thing Penn State is headed to Northwestern this weekend after the quarterback’s performance against the Badgers.
Becht went 12-for-29 with 129 yards, zero touchdowns, and his first interception of the year, though the pass was tipped. He put blame on himself postgame, saying he needs to be better for his team.
On Tuesday, Mouser took accountability for Becht’s struggles.
“I know what Rocco Becht is,” said Mouser, who also was his offensive coordinator at Iowa State. “He’s a 10,000-yard passer, and I’ve known him for three years, and I know how good he is. So when it’s not working, I’m going to always put it on myself because I know how talented he is and the way that he prepares.”
The Wildcats’ defense sits at the bottom half of the Big Ten in passing yards allowed this season with 218 per game, potentially giving Becht an opportunity to get himself and his wide receivers going after a tough showing against Wisconsin.
“We didn’t really show ourselves last Saturday who we were, and we didn’t put enough out there to bring that win home for us,” Becht said Tuesday. “I think for us, it’s just continuing to go out there on Friday and continuing to just do our job and have fun and go out there and play ball.”
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