Penn State running back Brandon Beachum missed all of last season after tearing his ACL at the end of 2009. He returned to the field Saturday, however, and made an impact in the Nittany Lions' 41-7 victory against Indiana State at Beaver Stadium.
The redshirt senior racked up 41 yards on seven carries, good for a 5.9 yard per carry average, and snapped off a 22-yard run in the second quarter. Beachum, however, was just happy to be back out with his teammates.
"I felt great running the ball" Beachum said after the game. "I was really excited to get back into it. I missed the field for so long."
Beachum wasn't the only Penn State back to have a good day, however. As a team, Penn State rushed for 245 yards and got several solid individual performances.
Sophomore tailback Silas Redd led the ground attack with 104 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries while fellow running back Curtis Dukes picked up 47 late yards on six carries. The fullbacks proved to be weapons as well. Joe Suhey and Michael Zorich each scored touchdowns and gained a combined 44 yards on 11 carries. Suhey was also active in the pass game, racking up 16 yards on a pair of receptions.
That kind of variety in the running game is something Beachum thinks will help the Lions moving forward.
"When you have two different offenses as far as personnel in one facet of the game, as far as running the ball, that can open up your offense to a whole new height," Beachum said.
Things get tougher for the running game next week when Alabama comes to Beaver Stadium. The Crimson Tide held Kent State to -9 yards rushing yesterday in a 48-7 win. Needless to say, it'll be tougher sledding for the Lions' backs than it was against Indiana State.