With Clemson and Penn State playing in Yankee Stadium, it is only fitting that we have a baseball score heading into halftime, as the Nittany Lions lead 6-3.
Neither offense has been able to get much going during the first half of the Pinstripe Bowl, as Penn State hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired in the half to take a 6-3 lead over the Tigers heading into the break.
When Icing Your Own Kicker Doesn’t Work: Just before Nolan Hauser attempted a 48-yard field goal with a minute left in the opening half, Dabo Swinney elected to call a timeout. The extra time didn’t hurt as Hauser would split the uprights, tying the game.
Where’s the Offense? Cade Klubnik and the Tigers’ offense have spent more time spinning its wheels than it has moving the football. While Klubnik has been the victim of some drops, he’s also been off-target on a handful of throws, with two of those almost resulting in interceptions. He also took a sack in the second quarter that he had no business taking by refusing to throw the ball away, something a senior quarterback just can’t do. He took another late in the second quarter after holding it too long.
Klubnik finally connected with T.J. Moore on a 42-yard play midway through the second quarter, setting the Tigers up at the Nittany Lions’ 15-yard line. However, the next three plays yielded no yards and the wind would push a short Hauser field goal attempt wide right. The third down play probably should have drawn a flag for offensive pass interference, seeing as the defender was holding on to Tristan Smith’s arm.
Klubnik went into halftime having completed just 11-of-22 for 115 yards. He did complete his 902nd pass during that opening half, breaking the program record set by Tajh Boyd.
The Tigers haven’t been able to get much going on the ground either. Adam Randall has only four carries and is averaging just 1.4 yards per attempt. Gideon Davidson has four carries for 11 yards. The patchwork group on the interior of the offensive line just hasn’t created much room to run.
Defense Holding Up: The depleted defense is holding up. Penn State has only 128 yards of offense, with just 58 of those coming on the ground. Penn State QB Ethan Grunemeyer has thrown for just 70 yards. The Nittany Lions were 3-of-8 on third down to start the game before converting 2-of-3 on the final possession of the first half.
While the Tigers have only one sack, they have hit Grunkemeyer several times as he got rid of the ball.
Branden Strozier has had a solid first half and leads the team with five tackles and also has one tackle for loss.
Failed Fake Punt: Not a big fan of the fake punt call on fourth and three on the Tigers’ opening possession. However, if you are dead set on doing that there in that situation, at least come up with something that has a better chance at working. Having your punter try to connect on a pass doesn’t carry with it a high possibility of success. Sure enough, Jack Smith’s pass was nowhere close to where it needed to be. Penn State gets the short field and quickly goes up 3-0. Swinney said on the television broadcast that it was something Smith checked into.
Dropsies: After leading the ACC in drops this season, the issue continues to plague Clemson against the Nittany Lions. Tyler Brown had two in the first quarter, both instances of the ball hitting him dead in the hands, and Clark Sanderson also had one in the opening quarter. Christian Bentancur then dropped one late in the second quarter.
Penn State pass catchers have dropped several, as well.
Photo by Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images