The run game was a struggle for Penn State in the first two games of the season, but their fortunes changed this past weekend. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser decided to feature running back James Peoples, and he made the most of his opportunities with 59 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
Peoples spent his entire time at Ohio State being overshadowed by other running backs, so it would have been easy for him to pout and check out mentally when he was stuck behind Carson Hansen earlier this year. However, he just kept his head down and went to work, and now there’s a chance he could be rewarded with the starting job because of his patience.
While Hansen is a good player, he thrives getting downhill and bruising with the big bodies.
Peoples is much more electric and has the speed and athleticism to get out in the open field, make defenders miss and break off big runs like he did against the Buffalo Bulls.
This is a player who head coach Matt Campbell praised during the offseason, and now we’re finally getting to see what the former Iowa State coach saw. Peoples had success when he got the ball in the first two weeks also, hut he didn’t receive nearly as many touches.
He can add a new dynamic to the Nittany Lions’ offense if he remains the featured back, or at least a key component of the game plan. Pundits were worried about how a team comprised of this many transfers would perform, but Peoples is proving that you can have success with any type of roster construction.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State transfer running back’s patience is being rewarded
