MMQB – Alarmed

This Monday I’m writing about being alarmed about the offense.

Here we are, a quarter of the way through the 2025 season, and the offense has yet to look consistent, let alone good. That they couldn’t work out the kinks against three relatively weak non-conference foes is a major cause for concern.

Let’s start with the point man. Drew Allar completed just 55% of his passes for 209 yards, one touchdown and one (incredibly horrific) interception. We may all have to calibrate our expectations for both Allar and the offense, because it appears he hasn’t taken the last step to being a true game-changer. Which, on a team that has a defense as good as Penn State’s, is probably good enough for 10 wins and a playoff appearance. But given the improved weaponry around him, is a far cry from what many - myself included - hoped to see in 2025.

Whether it’s misfiring on routine timing patterns, waiting for a receiver to be 100% open before throwing the ball, allowing defenders to close in on the receiver, or continuing to throw deep moon balls that allow defenders to catch up and make plays, Drew just doesn’t seem to have improved his game from last year.

Once again, without the passing game being a true threat, defenses are keying on the run game. Until such time as Allar can routinely make defenders respect the pass, teams are going to stack the box.

Which leads me to point number two - the offensive line has problems. For the third week in a row, combo blocks were an issue, with defenders routinely working into the backfield. What’s especially problematic about that is Villanova plays a 3-3-5 defense, meaning only three down linemen. Yet still, those three up front were working their way past the OL and breaking up plays.

Nicholas Singleton, who had done the majority of the work during the afternoon, had 20 carries for just 84 yards. At 4.2 yards per carry, he routinely had to dodge defenders to try to make a positive play - and if there’s one thing Singleton is not good at, it’s dodging defenders. It wasn’t until the defense was finally gassed in the fourth quarter that Kaytron Allen really shined, which again, is a problem.

Against a team like Villanova, a team like Penn State should utterly dominate. And they didn’t, for the third week in a row.

Oh, sure, 52-6 on the scoreboard looks fine. But it’s masking a lot of issues. Misfires in the passing game. Blocking being completely blown up. Running backs that either can’t find the hole because it’s been blown up, or can’t make defenders miss, going for little-to-no gain.

This isn’t a doom and gloom, Penn State is terrible sort of post.

It’s an honest post.

For the goals placed before Penn State this season, it has not looked up to the task on the offensive side of the ball.

For the sake of perspective, other teams have also looked so-so. Ohio State was only up 13-3 over Ohio at the half. Oregon was only up 17-0 over Northwestern at the half. The SEC appears set on self-immolation. Notre Dame is 0-2.

Things could 100% be worse, so let’s keep at least a little perspective here. I’m also 100% convinced that Penn State deliberately played vanilla against the non-conference teams, and there’s a lot they are waiting to unleash. I’m also 100% sure that the team simply did not get up for Nevada, FIU, or Villanova.

But man, I don’t think I’ve seen a rockier 3-0 start than what the Lions put together over the last 3 weeks.

The bye week is here, so the Lions can rest up and finish polishing off their prep work for Oregon.

But then it’s White Out time, and I sincerely hope that the offense takes a big step forward.

Because right now, I’m alarmed.

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