GLENDALE, Ariz. – Penn State’s run game has been in the spotlight in recent weeks, and it will be a major storyline in the Nittany Lions’ Fiesta Bowl matchup with Boise State tonight inside State Farm Stadium.
PSU’s big fellas on the offensive – center Nick Dawkins, guards Vega Ioane and Sal Wormley and tackles Drew Shelton and Nolan Rucci – have gotten after defenders in recent weeks; and so has the Lions’ tight end group of Tyler Warren, Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds.
The Lions piled up 219 yards and four scores against Maryland on the final Saturday in November, hung 292 yards and two scores on unbeaten Oregon’s defense and PSU churned for 189 yards and three touchdowns in the bitter cold vs. SMU, wearing down the Mustangs in a 38-10 triumph.
Penn State’s run game could be a real problem for the Broncos’ defense. The 2024 offensive line is arguably James Franklin’s best one in his 11 seasons in State College.
Penn State offensive lineman Nolan Rucci, Sal Wormley and Nick Dawkins block Minnesota linebacker Cody Lindenberg and defensive lineman Deven Eastern during the first quarter on Nov. 23, 2024 Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comJoe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
“So, this is the best one I’ve seen probably in the last, at least the last decade,” said Penn State great Matt Millen of the Lions’ O-line. Millen is in town covering the game for the Big Ten Network.
“I would do (previous PSU) games, and I would come back, and I would go, ‘They’re good but this offensive line’s horrible.’ And then I would see them at the next level (the NFL) playing really well. And I’d be, ‘What happened to you?’ I never understood it.”
But now? “They’re doing a really, really good job (this season),” Millen said of the line.
“It’s cohesive, they’re all on the same page. … What I like to watch with offensive linemen is their footwork.
“And when you see an offensive line, that they’re all taking the same steps the right way, that’s a huge sign, and that’s exactly what this group does.”
Penn State, at the prodding of new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, has also added a weekly award for the offense: The BMF belt.
It’s presented to the offensive player who does the best job of finishing blocks in the previous game. It’s a coveted award that is currently in Warren’s possession. And yes, “BMF” is short for exactly you think it means.
With that in mind, PennLive asked a couple of Penn State players about their favorite finishing blocks of the season.
The 6-4, 348-pound Ioane’s work throughout 2024 stands out. Kotelnicki has also had the guard, a second-team All-Big Ten pick, split out like a wide receiver, then go in motion back toward the middle of field to ‘crack’ on an unsuspecting defender.
“There’s two (finishes),” Dawkins said.
“The ‘gimme’ one is Vega vs. UCLA on that crack (block) where he annihilates the guy, that’s an easy one.
“The second one, I don’t think people think about a lot but, it’s really, to a team, it’s degrading. It is (tight end) Khalil Dinkins vs. Illinois. He took a guy into the end zone and put him on his back. That’s a tight end blocking like that, and that’s huge.”
Penn State safety Jaylen Reed said there is a clear-cut No. 1 “finisher” on the team.
“Vega, man, it’s Vega,” Reed said.
“Vega finishes every single guy I see. It’s not just finishing blocks. I saw him go against the Oregon D-line, and the Oregon D-line’s got some top draft picks. Where were they at?
“They won the game, kudos to them, but Vega did a great job that game.”
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Penn State players sound off on the best crushing blocks by their teammates this season
As the Penn State football season comes to a close, players are reflecting on the standout moments from the year. One aspect of the game that often goes unnoticed but is crucial to the team’s success is the blocking by teammates. Whether it’s a key block that springs a runner for a big gain or a block that protects the quarterback, these moments can be game-changing.
Several Penn State players were asked to share their thoughts on the best crushing blocks by their teammates this season. Here’s what they had to say:
– Wide receiver Jahan Dotson: “One block that stands out to me was when our tight end, Brenton Strange, absolutely leveled a defender on a run play. It was like watching a freight train coming through. That block opened up a huge hole for our running back and allowed him to score a touchdown.”
– Running back Keyvone Lee: “I have to give a shoutout to our offensive lineman, Rasheed Walker. He had a block in a game where he just pancaked his man. It was a thing of beauty to see a big guy like that move so fluidly and dominate his opponent.”
– Quarterback Sean Clifford: “There have been so many great blocks this season, but one that really stood out to me was when our fullback, Tyler Warren, threw a block that completely knocked a defender off his feet. It was a perfect example of selfless teamwork and it fired up the whole offense.”
These players know that without the hard work and dedication of their teammates in the trenches, their success on the field would not be possible. The crushing blocks by their teammates this season have been a key factor in their victories, and they are grateful for the unsung heroes who make it all happen.
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- Penn State football
- Crushing blocks
- Teammates
- Best blocks
- Player interviews
- Penn State players
- College football
- Offensive line
- Big Ten football
- Top plays
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