Keeping Minnesota’s offense off the field a key factor for Penn State

When Minnesota was playing well early in the season, it was extremely difficult to force the Big Ten West team’s offense off the field.

P.J. Fleck’s Golden Gophers started 4-0 before recent losses to Purdue (20-10) and Illinois (26-14). Minnesota didn’t have standout runner Mo Ibrahim available against the Boilermakers and veteran quarterback Tanner Morgan left the Illinois game last Saturday early in the fourth quarter with an apparent head injury.

Ibrahim is expected to be available when Penn State (5-1) hosts the Gophers on Saturday night. The status of Morgan is unclear as of now.

James Franklin met with the media following the Lions’ Wednesday practice. Here are some takeaways:

Time of possession could be a key stat

Minnesota is averaging 34 minutes, 59 seconds of possession, and the Gophers are converting third-down chances at an incredible rate of 66.2% (47 of 71). But Minnesota converted just 2 of 7 third-down opportunities vs. Illinois and the Gophers were 4 for 12 against Purdue.

Penn State’s offense has had major issues on third down, converting at just 38.8% for the season. The Lions had the ball for just over 18 minutes in their 41-17 loss at Michigan on Saturday.

“Well, time of possession is a team stat,” Franklin said when asked about keeping the Gophers’ offense on the sideline.

“It is your offense staying on the field, which is converting on third down and being efficient on first and second down. And it’s also the defense getting off the field.”

Follow the leader

Franklin knows his players and coaches will follow his lead in team meetings and on the practice field this week.

The Lions’ ninth-year head coach acknowledged his demeanor after a loss has evolved during his time in State College.

“I think it has evolved, and I think that’s critical for our entire organization, for all the assistants, for myself, for the players,” Franklin said. “I think it’s really important. I think at the end of the day, whether it’s practice or whether it’s in our facility, the players are going to feed off of our energy.

“And there’s a fine line between making sure everybody understands, you know, that whatever the outcome, (it) was not good enough (last Saturday) but also, not to the point where it lingers. That is critical. And in this conference and on our side of the conference, there’s no time for lingering feelings or emotions.”

Familiar foe

Franklin said it is an advantage to have a good read on Minnesota offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, who was the Lions’ offensive coordinator for one season (2020) before Franklin turned to Mike Yurcich.

“I think it does,” Franklin said, when asked if knowing Ciarrocca brings a certain clarity. “But (it’s) no different than when we played them last time (a 31-26 Minnesota win in 2019). They’re going to have a blitz, you know, that we haven’t seen. They’re going to have a blitz-beater that maybe they haven’t run up to this point.

“But 95% of the game plan is going to be what we have seen, with a few little wrinkles to keep you honest.”