In many football systems, be they high school teams or NFL organizations, coaches spend countless hours warning their players to expect the trap block.
It begins to sound tiring, repetitious and boring: if the offensive lineman across from you doesn't immediately block a defensive lineman, you should begin to look for a guard or a tackle pulling from the opposite side of the line.
Whether or not the Penn State defensive line was expecting the large number of pulling guards and tackles Nebraska ran at them on Saturday, the holes in the Nittany Lions defense grew larger and larger as the game drew closer to the final whistle.
The problems with the run defense appeared to stem largely from an overly aggressive style from Penn State's quick defensive tackles and eight players up front who were exhausted after spending almost 13 minutes on the field in the third quarter.
"I wasn't drained at all -- I was ready to go every play," Penn State defensive tackle Ed Johnson said.
Too bad his play didn't support that assertion.
With all five starters weighing at least 300 pounds, including mammoth 350-pound right tackle Dan Vili Waldrop, the heavy 'Huskers' line bullied the lighter Lions tackles and ends. A one-point Penn State lead at halftime evaporated quicker than rain in a desert as Nebraska ran for 201 of its 337 yards rushing in the second half.
In stark contrast to its heavier Big Red opponent, Penn State's defensive line could use some more beef. At 271 and 277 pounds, respectively, the Lions' starting tackle tandem of Tamba Hali and Ed Johnson tried to beat the bulkier offensive linemen into the backfield too quickly and were easily pushed out of the play by the pulling Nebraska guards and tackles.
The seams that were apparent against both Temple and Boston College once again appeared, not only on running plays but also on passing downs. Owls quarterbacks Mike McGann and Walter Washington combined for 44 yards rushing on 17 carries in the season opener, and Eagles signal-caller Quinton Porter torched the Lions' defense for 27 yards on three carries.
Using their speed, the tackles and ends seemed too eager in the season's first three games and quickly got out of position. Once the large holes on the line open up, opposing quarterbacks have lanes to throw through and escape routes on which to run. It's a scene now familiar after being almost a non-issue during the Anthony Adams-Jimmy Kennedy years. With more than 600 pounds between the two, opposing offensive lines had a great deal of difficulty opening up holes for tailbacks and quarterbacks.
Now, with the looming Big Ten season and swirling thoughts of weekly battles with 300-pound linemen, the question of how to best fix the problem remains. Ohio State boasts an offensive line with three of five starters weighing more than 310 pounds and a fourth tipping the scale at 305. Conference opponents Wisconsin and Iowa -- both of which have three of five starters weighing more than 300 pounds -- also bring big offensive lines that could give Penn State problems. Some talk has centered on moving guard Charles Rush back to the defensive side of the ball, which would give the Lions a 285-pound threat up front. Early in the preseason, there were guesses that Levi Brown would move from his starting offensive tackle spot back to the defensive line, but his performance this season coupled with little depth on offense would suggest otherwise.
The most viable solution may be allowing the fast Penn State linebackers to blitz more and to run more stunts. Added pressure close to the ball may force teams to throw the ball against a Lions secondary that has looked mediocre so far. It would also test the ability of opposing offensive lines to react quickly and create fewer one-on-one battles.
"Most of the things they were running, they were staying right up the gut with it," Penn State defensive end Lavon Chisley said after the Nebraska game. "It's very frustrating just to be on the field that long. We need to establish some more three and outs."
To do so, the Lions' defensive line needs to take a long, hard look at itself.
