Mike Yurcich enters his first season as Penn State offensive coordinator knowing many questions are facing a team attempting to get back to big-time bowl games.
The 45-year-old man from Northeast Ohio wants intensity for the offense. His enthusiasm for competition shines when discussing the crowded running back room.
“Early in camp, we have to make sure that we’re playing all of them,” Yurcich said to the Post-Gazette on Wednesday via Zoom. “We’re trying to make sure that we’re getting better. As a whole running back unit, I’m trying to create depth and competition.”
Penn State has five running backs on the roster that played Power Five football in 2020, and each could argue for more playing time. Noah Cain, Devyn Ford, Caziah Holmes, Keyvone Lee, and Baylor transfer John Lovett all offer unique skills. Cain is regarded as the most talented, but he’s struggled with injuries, including a season-ending ailment in the first game.
Ford had 274 yards on 67 carries in 2020 with three touchdowns. He’s fast and powerful, but he battled injuries that limited his consistency. Holmes and Lee got unexpected playing time as first-year athletes since Lee, Ford, and Journey Brown (career-ending heart condition) all were held out at various points.
Lovett is an exciting prospect at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, and if the 25-year-old is healthy, he’ll challenge for reps.
So how do you fit five running backs into a system? Yurcich’s answer lends to his traditional sensibilities.
“The best part about it is that when you have five talented tailbacks that all can play, well, that usually means that they’re going to push one another to make their play even better as competition does,” Yurcich said. “It’s a great problem to have.
“I would challenge all those guys that if they’re not going to be the Number 1 or Number 2, you’ve got to make your way on special teams and play with overwhelming effort on special teams.”
Of course, with the new transfer rules, it’d be easier for an athlete to find another school where he might get more time at his desired position. Yurcich believes if the ideal spot doesn’t exist, a player can change his fate by working hard on special teams.
“Those guys should excel in special teams,” Yurcich said. “They’re all athletic and fast. They should all be able to block and tackle well. They also can return kicks and punts. In my opinion, those guys have got to stand out on special teams if they’re are not starting or heavily contributing in the backfield.”
Penn State didn’t get enough from the running back position last season. Yes, Sean Clifford regressed at quarterback, and so did Will Levis, who later transferred to Kentucky. The offensive line wasn’t consistently good at pass protection or run blocking. Ultimately, when you’re 4-5 at school with Penn State’s pedigree, there isn’t much going well.
But finding a running back rotation that works could be a start toward the Nittany Lions winning games at a consistent clip again.
“They have to have their fundamentals and their techniques down,” Yurcich said. “When it comes time for it, they’ve got to go execute. That’s the name of the game.”
Nubyjas Wilborn: nwilborn@post-gazette.com and Twitter @nwilborn19.
First Published: June 9, 2021, 8:07 p.m.
