If you’re a Penn State football player, a coach or a fan, nothing says I love you quite like a Big Ten meeting with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Seven consecutive Big Ten wins. A 29-2 record in the series. Rutgers hasn’t beaten Penn State since 1988. And judging by the way the last few games have gone, another win by the team from New Jersey doesn’t seem likely any time soon.
PSU waxed Rutgers 23-7 Saturday in Piscataway and the Lions came very close to a shutout. It was a good day to be a Penn State player.
And the grades are nothing but kind to the Lions.
OFFENSE: B.
It wasn’t a great weather day and quarterback Sean Clifford only attempted 22 passes, completing 15 for 133 yards and a touchdown (29 yards, to true freshman wideout Parker Washington). … Clifford’s lone interception was an errant throw in the third quarter and Rutgers converted the short field (36 yards) into a touchdown. … Running backs Keyvone Lee (17-95) and Devyn Ford (11-65) combined for 160 yards and a touchdown. Lee’s ability to consistently make the hard yards should earn him a bigger workload this week. … Will Levis is a backup quarterback in name only. No passes, 17 carries for 65 yards. He’s a short-yardage back. … Tight ends Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson didn’t do much in the passing game but they are becoming solid blockers in a two-TE set. … The offensive line was the real star of the show as the Lions churned for 231 yards. The five starters dominated and it looks like reserve guard Juice Scruggs is getting more work every week.
DEFENSE: A.
The Lions made plays at all three levels against a Rutgers offense that had scored plenty of points in its first six games. … A big fourth-down stop on the Scarlet Knights’ first possession set the tone. … No tackles for veteran nose tackle Antonio Shelton but he and PJ Mustipher were forces inside as Rutgers was held to 2.6 per rush. … Scarlet Knights short-yardage weapon Johnny Langan was a non-factor (four carries, four yards). … Young linebacker Brandon Smith (TFL, pass breakup, QB hit) made a few five-star plays. … Solid effort from safety Jaquan Brisker (four solos tackles, pass breakup). … Young corner Joey Porter Jr. (seven tackles, TFL) is not one to shy away from contact. … Six three-and-outs for the Rutgers’ offense.
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SPECIAL TEAMS: B.
Not a great start with Devyn Ford fumbling on the opening kickoff but the Lions’ coverage teams did not give up any big returns, which was a big concern going in. … Both field-goal specialists delivered and Jordan Stout hit a 47-yarder in windy conditions while averaging 37.7 yards on three punts. … Thought punt returner Jahan Dotson should not have attempted a return in the final minute of the first half with Lions up 17-0. Dotson fielded a punt on the Penn State 13 when he could have signaled for a fair catch or even let the ball hit the ground. Too risky.
COACHING: B.
Back-to-back road wins and Penn State looked like the more physical, better-prepared team in both. … Granted, Michigan and Rutgers aren’t top-10 teams but the Penn State’s offensive and defensive lines have been borderline-dominant the last two weeks. … Quarterback Sean Clifford has been much more efficient and it would seem James Franklin and offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca have made the decision to let backup quarterback Will Levis do the heavy lifting in the running game. … Levis ran 17 times vs. Rutgers and didn’t attempt a pass, so Michigan State should know what’s coming this Saturday when No. 7 enters the game. … Penn State’s red-zone offense? Still not great. One touchdown, two field goals in three possessions.
OVERALL: B.
Penn State is clearly comfortable on the road. The Lions finished their regular season 2-2 away from Beaver Stadium and you could argue the Lions had a chance to win all four (Indiana, Nebraska). The Lions’ offensive identity has been established — grind away with the run and mix in the occasional pass. That strategy minimizes mistakes and allows Penn State to keep its defense fresh. The Lions kept the ball for more than 36 minutes in the Michigan win and had it for 36:10 against the Scarlet Knights. If you’re Michigan State, you have a pretty good idea what’s coming Saturday at Beaver Stadium. After two consecutive wins, Penn State has regained its confidence. And the Lions are going to use the same game plan against the Spartans. Can they stop it?
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