The Penn State Nittany Lions (2-1, 1-0) and the San Diego State Aztecs (1-2, 0-0) will match up on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Beaver Stadium. BTN will carry the game live.
Notching its first Big Ten win of the season after trouncing Rutgers 28-3 last week, Penn State is looking to add another win to its current two-game streak, but will need solid contributions from each part of the team – offense, defense, and special teams – if they hope to continue performing.
After last week’s 330-yard rushing game that featured strong performances from true freshman Saquon Barkley and veteran Akeel Lynch, head coach James Franklin is optimistic about this week’s game.
“I’m actually really pleased with how we’re playing as a team right now,” said Franklin. “I thought that game on Saturday was probably the most complete football game we’ve played since we’ve been here. I thought we played great team football at this point where we’re at as a program.”
Penn State has now had more than 200 rushing yards for two games in a row while limiting Rutgers to just 43 yards.
What to Watch For
Offensively, Lynch and Barkley are responsible for a total of 555 yards and five touchdowns through three games and average 7.6 yards per carry. They efficiency of this duo, plus the added star power of true freshman Brandon Polk and redshirt freshman DeAndre Thompkins who have combined for 102 yards and two touchdowns, give quarterback Christian Hackenberg many options when scouting the field.
Additionally, the Lions have not allowed any sacks against Hackenberg, who suffered 10 takedowns in the season opener against Temple, through the last two games.
Defensively, the Lions have a dominating presence in the young linebackers. With the return of Brandon Bell, who picked up nine tackles against Rutgers, and the presence of sophomore Jason Cabinda and redshirt freshman Troy Reeder, who have combined for 36 tackles through three games, the defensive line has manifested.
The Aztecs are returning eight starters from last year’s defense, which ended the season with the No. 16 ranking. San Diego State has already joined an elite group – one of six teams in the nation with two or more pick sixes – in the 2015 campaign. Linebacker Calvin Munson had the interceptions on both plays.
This defense, which Franklin calls a “chaos defense,” relies on heavy blitzes and confusing the offense. This will pose an interesting challenge to Penn State, who has been rushing the ball more and more over the past three weeks.
The Aztec’s special teams are some of the nation’s top ranked; they carry the No. 11 spot in kickoff return, No. 28 in punt return, No. 31 in net punting, and are tied for first in highest field goal percentage.
The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. from Beaver Stadium. BTN will carry the game live with reporting from Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analyst) and Lisa Byington (sideline).
Around the Nittany Network
- The nation’s top-ranked women’s volleyball team swept the No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers on Wednesday at University Park.
- The men’s hockey team announced its TV schedule for the 2015-2016 season, and will appear live on television at least 12 times.
- The No. 21 ranked men’s soccer team took a 2-0 victory over University of Pennsylvania this week in Philadelphia.
- The women’s hockey team topped University of Guelph, 1-0, in an exhibition game on Thursday at the Pegula Ice Arena.
- Senior linebacker Ben Kline was added to the semi-finalist list for the 2015 William V. Campbell Trophy, which honors the best football scholar-athlete in America.
- September 24 marked the ten-year anniversary of the Nittany Lions’ pivotal win over Northwestern.
Photo Credit: GoPSUSports.com
