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Regarding the physical nature of C.J. Thorpe's game, Penn State's offensive guard, some things will never change. And that's what Lions coach James Franklin prefers.
During August training, Penn State defenders were not fans of Thorpe's style of play, Franklin said Wednesday. Not even a little.
But Franklin said those same defenders were Thorpe's biggest supporters in the Lions' 79-7 win over Idaho last Saturday at Beaver Stadium.
Thorpe, the Lions goaltender from 6-3 pounds, 322 pounds, usually plays whistle or may be just half a second more on some games. That's what Franklin and offensive lineman Matt Limegrover want more from all offensive linemen: playing with a "benefit".
"Yes, I think you've seen video clips of him (against Idaho) at seven or eight meters with a linebacker," Franklin said after a workout on a video posted on the page Facebook from Penn State Football.
"You know, he's been showing this, actually, since his arrival. We lost it (to play the defensive tackle), obviously, last year. We thought it was the right decision to make for the team. So yes, I think we need his attitude and his behavior. "
Thorpe, a reserve guard last season, was transferred to the defensive tackle in the middle of the 2018 season, when PSU became shorthanded due to injuries. The second year redshirt returned to the guard in the spring. The Lions team three guards to form the first team: Steven Gonzalez, fifth-year veteran, on the left and versatile redshirt Mike Miranda, able to play the guard or the center.
"I found it hilarious because all the camps (in August), our defense could not stand the JC," said Franklin.
"I mean, it was like we were fighting every day in practice:" he does this, he does it ".
"What do you think it happened during the match (in Idaho) when (the defense) is on the sidelines to watch C.J. doing the same to the opponent? They love it, they think it's great. That's what I tried to explain to all players. We need that, we need that mentality.
Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh dismissed Idaho's quarterback Mason Petrino in the first quarter on August 31, 2019. Joe Hermitt | [email protected]
Oweh remains a work in progress: Jayson Oweh picked up a sack in the Idaho game and there may not be a bigger specimen on the team than the sophomore (6-5, 255). Oweh is one of the Lions' weights. room freaks and he ran a 4.33 this offseason.
His quick first step makes him a threat to death, but there is still work to be done for Oweh.
"Obviously, he has certain physical traits that people would like to have in terms of height, weight, speed, athleticism and that sort of thing," Franklin said of Oweh.
"But I'm not going to exaggerate by making projections."
These traits lend themselves to having an immediate impact against the pass. But Penn State defensive line coach Sean Spencer and defensive coordinator Brent Pry are expecting more Oweh this season.
"So you have guys who may be one-dimensional players who are really good at first, and they have to develop the run-game part of it," Franklin said.
"With these types of measurements and track and field, among other things, (Oweh), this will allow him to flash and flash faster as a specialist in fast passes.
"The reason he did not play as a real freshman is the run-game aspect. I think if it was probably a situation of two minutes, then I think so, it plays on his strengths at this stage of his career. … Sean's has been very honest with him and in advance, Coach Pry is also convinced that this is an area in which he has to work. He understands that too and has made tremendous progress over the last year. "
Big praise drawing: The Lions unveiled new kicking specialist Jordan Stout against Idaho and he was sensational. Twelve of his 13 kickoffs resulted in backtracks, and Virginia Tech's transfer also resulted in a 53-yard field goal in the first quarter. The sophomore Jake Pinegar will probably do the field tests from 40 meters, but the longest will go to Stout, a red shirt student, at least for now.
"When you can almost guarantee that (the other) team is going to have 25 compared to the 28 or 34 compared to an explosive game that goes up for a touchdown, it helps," Franklin said. who referred to Stout as a "weapon".
Franklin is also delighted to be "able to send (Stout) a goal of more than 50 yards and be fairly confident that the ball will cross the amounts."
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