Penn State’s penalty problem reveals unexpected lack of discipline

Penn State football is off to an undefeated start. Still, not everything has been sunshine and roses for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions during the first three weeks of the season. The offense has started games slow before kicking it into overdrive. The defense sleepwalked through the first half against Bowling Green before locking down in the second. 

With No. 19 Illinois rolling into Beaver Stadium Saturday night to kick off Big Ten play, the Nittany Lions need to address another pressing issue: penalties. Penn State football is averaging 7.3 penalties for 67 yards per contest, ranking 59th in the nation and 12th in the conference.

“Yeah, I don’t like them,” James Franklin said following the win over Kent State. “I don’t like them at all, to be honest with you. You know, if you look at the analytics and the statistics, they don’t really have a significant impact when you talk about winning and losing. But as a head coach, it embarrasses me, because it shows a lack of discipline, and it’s sloppy, and it makes things harder than it needs to be.”

A lack of discipline uncharacteristic for Penn State football

© Grace Carella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

The Nittany Lions’ current lack of discipline is not characteristic of Penn State football during the James Franklin era.

An average of 7.3 penalties per game would be the largest for any Franklin-coached team dating back to 2014. That season, Franklin’s first in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions averaged 5.8 penalties per game. The lowest average was 4.2 penalties per game during the 2017 season.

Granted, we’re comparing complete seasons to only three games. But still, the trend line is not good for Penn State football heading into conference play.

Perhaps the biggest frustration has been the steady stream of defensive offsides penalties, with nine committed in three games. Approximately three-quarters of the Nittany Lions’ penalties this year have occurred either pre- or post-snap.

If the offensive can keep hitting multiple explosive plays per game and the defense can cause havoc with turnovers and sacks, then penalties should not be a huge factor in determining wins and losses. 

However, the Nittany Lions seem to be playing with fire. In games where the outcome rests on a razor’s edge, a momentary slip in discipline could change the direction of the entire season. 

Franklin has vowed to correct the issue as Big Ten play begins. With several major tests coming over the next month, the fix better come sooner rather than later.

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