STATE COLLEGE — Kicking woes underscore a larger problem for Penn State.

Coach Bill O’Brien’s offense will need to improve in the red zone if the Nittany Lions plan on making any splash in the Big Ten. It’s getting tough enough after an 0-2 start in nonconference play.

After forcing four turnovers inside Virginia territory in a 17-16 loss last week to the Cavaliers, resilient Penn State came away with just three points off those chances.

“Offensively, we’ve got to do a better job in the red zone. We can’t take four turnovers from our defense and come away with only three points,” O’Brien said. “That’s ridiculous, and we all know that, and it starts with coaching and we’ve just got to do a better job there.”

Better make it quick if Penn State wants to avoid opening a season with three straight losses for the first time since beginning the 2001 campaign 0-4. Navy (0-1) and its triple-option attack visits Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

Sam Ficken figures to still be attempting the field goals then. The kicker was the obvious player to blame by fickle fans on social media following his dismal day against Virginia.

The sophomore’s nightmarish afternoon included a blocked extra-point attempt and four missed four field goals, including the potential game-winner from 42 yards in a heavy drizzle. Ficken’s only make Saturday was from 32.

There was no time to sulk Monday.

O’Brien said Ficken was back to work trying to get better. One suggestion for the right-footed Ficken was to concentrate on orienting his left foot so it’s pointed and planted in the direction of where he wants to kick the ball.

O’Brien is sticking by Ficken, the only kicker listed on the depth chart. But when asked later, O’Brien also said the kicking job has been open competition each week this season won by Ficken.

“Look, we should have scored touchdowns. It’s a team sport,” O’Brien said. “We talk to our team about that every day, every week, every minute, about playing as a team. So, Sam’s a big part of our team, and I’m glad we have him. And he’s going to try to get better, and we’re all going to try to get better.”