Coaches Clinic Featured Match-up Ohio State vs. Penn State
Oct 29, 2022 2:46 pm
Coach ,
It's the weekend again, and another full slate of games are on tap. One of the most compelling games to watch this weekend is our Coaches Clinic featured matchup between #2 Ohio State at #13 Penn State.
Ohio State has not been tested for an entire game since week 1 in a 21-10 win over Notre Dame. Since then they have been dominant with an average score of 54.3 - 15.7.
This may be the toughest test on the schedule until their annual rivalry game against “That Team Up North.”
For Penn State, being at home is always an advantage. Will they have learned enough from OSU’s previous opponents to slow them down on defense and for their offense to find the end zone?
Let’s take a look at each team and their coaching points.
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes had a high-powered offense in 2021 with 561.5 yards per game and 45.7 points per game both tops in the country, but the defense was their Achilles heel.
That’s not true in 2022! The Buckeyes are clikcing on all cylinders with both the offense and defense at the top of the rankings.
Offense
#2 Scoring Offense 49.6 ppg
#4 Total Offense 517.4 ypg
Defense
#2 Total Defense 239.9 ypg
#5 Scoring Defense 14.86 ppg
Coach Ryan Day remedied the struggles on defense by bringing in former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to lead the defense.
Coach Knowles's approach is to Play Offense on Defense. He explains their philosophy of playing offense on defense by running plays that feature a player. He details the "Leo" position and how he uses it to his advantage (click on image for video:
Video: Complexities of the Leo position
Ryan Day is always adding talent to his staff. He added former Duke defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri as a Senior Advisor and Analyst.
#13 Penn State Nittany Lions
Head Coach James Franklin had the Nittany Lions off to a fast start at 5-0 last year until they were hit by the injury bug. They look to get back on track and though they lose DC Brent Pry to Virginia Tech, Manny Diaz certainly can fill that hole and Mike Yurcich is one of the best offensive coordinators in the game.
As with all great programs, it will begin with building on their strong culture, something at which Coach Franklin excels. It starts with caring and being sure that your people know you care about them. He explains the Penn State Process here (click on image for video):
New defensive coordinator Manny Diaz inherits six returning starters, and he will build the defense on solid fundamentals.
Recently, Coach Yurcich shared his tips for developing quarterbacks at the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Clinic.
In this segment of his talk he emphasized the importance of training the QB’s eyes to stay downfield. A QB who does this consistently will find opportunities for big plays. Coach Yurcich explains that and tells why 7 on 7 may not be the best place to train this (click on image for video):
Video: Train the eyes to stay downfield
Coach goes on to talk about the importance of the drills and techniques you use showing up on film. Here is an example of his “right foot under right armpit” technique:
Video: Right Foot Right Armpit
Learn more from Penn State: Developing a QB, Building a Winning Culture, and Penn State Culture by James Franklin and Intermediate Dropback Game, QB Fundamentals & Drill Work from Mike Yurcich.
Special Teams could be a difference-maker under Special Teams Coordinator Stacey Collins. He likes to get after the punter and shared their punt block philosophy and scheme at Lauren’s First & Goal.
CB and Associate Head Coach Terry Smith has been a mainstay for Penn State. He shared the Nittany Lions Defensive Circuit Drills at Lauren’s First and Goal.
As always, watching ball on the weekends allows learning and generates ideas for your own program. Enjoy the games and keep learning!
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
Be sure to checkout these other Coaches Clinic Match-ups
#19 Kentucky HC RB at #3 Tennessee OL
#10 USC HC HC DC at Arizona HC
#14 Utah OL at Washington St OLB
#15 Ole Miss OC DC DC at Texas A&M HC HC
#17 Illinois HC LB DC at Nebraska OC OA
#20 Cincinnati HC OL DL at UCF OL