Barkley trying to take what defense gives
A third of the way into Penn State's 2016 season, swings of success and abject failure have wildly fluctuated for the Nittany Lion offense.
Introducing a new quarterback into Joe Moorhead's new system, the Nittany Lions have shown flashes of improvement, at times scoring points in droves. More recently, in the Nittany Lions' 49-10 loss at No. 4-ranked Michigan last weekend, there have also been times when the offensive unit has struggled.
Attempting to navigate his own way through an inexperienced offense's early challenging, star sophomore running back Saquon Barkley has taken it upon himself to right the ship when things are going poorly.
“Trying to be a leader on a team, you try to take a lot on your shoulders,” said Barkley. “If the run game’s not working, it’s on you to find some way, somehow to make it work. And if the pass game’s not doing so well, try to do your best to get out quicker on a route and try to catch the ball and make something happen.”
Although Barkley is tied for the fourth in the FBS in touchdowns scored among running backs, he's not shy about acknowledging the shortcomings of Penn State’s ground game so far this season.
The Lions have averaged just about three yards per rush, second-worst among teams in Power Five conferences. No doubt, said Barkley, the Nittany Lions have work to do.
“One thing we have to do to improve on [the rushing total] is be patient, take what the defense gives you, and stuff will open up, and I have to step up as a player and make more guys miss and break more tackles,” said Barkley.
Barkley also noted that he often has difficulty staying within himself, a problem he experienced in Ann Arbor last weekend in a 15 carry, 59-yard afternoon at the Big House.
“I felt myself getting better at it, but last week I kind of got back into that area of me trying to make too much happen. Sometimes I’ve just got to lower my shoulder, take what they give me, and fall forward,” Barkley said.
Head coach James Franklin expressed similar thoughts in regard to Barkley’s approach, citing the running back’s need to be more physical earlier this week.
“I think the other thing where Saquon, I think, could be a little bit better is not trying to make every run an 80-yard touchdown,” Franklin said. “You have to be willing to lower your shoulder and run people over or get in the gap and push the pile for four or five yards.”
The challenges on the ground for Barkley and the Lions offense aren't likely to get much easier this week. Through three games, 3-0 Minnesota ranks No. 34 in the nation in rushing yards allowed, averaging just 118.7 yards surrendered per game.