Know Your Opponent: No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Head Coach: James Franklin

Overall: 8th Season, 64-28 (.696) Overall

Bowl Appearances at Penn State: 6

2020 Record: 4-5 (4-5, 3rd in the Big Ten East)

Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 14 (7-7)

Mascot: Nittany Lion

Colors: Blue and White

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: 2 Claimed, 5 Unclaimed

Conference Titles: 5

Heisman Winners: 1 (John Cappelletti)

2021 Record: 4-0

Last Week: WIN vs Villanova 38-17

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Sean Clifford (86-120 passing (71.7%), 1158 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs)

Rushing: Noah Cain (48 rushes, 164 yards, 3.4 YPC, 3 TDs)

Receiving: Jahan Dotson (27 receptions, 362 yards, 4 TDs)

Tackles: Brandon Smith (27 tackles, 17 solo, 1 PD)

Stat of the Week: A trio of wide receivers, led by Jahan Dotson, carry the load for the Penn State offense. The three – Dotson, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and Parker Washington – have combined for 61 of PSU’s 91 receptions and 7 of the team’s 9 receiving touchdowns.

Penn State’s Talking Points

1. An Improved Clifford Could Use Some Help

The talk this preseason around Penn State all hinged on how quarterback Sean Clifford could perform. After a shaky 2020 with a bit of an interception problem, Clifford seems to have regained his footing this year and is a large reason why the Nittany Lions find themselves undefeated and ranked in the top five.

Four games in, the concern has shifted to Clifford’s companions in the offensive backfield: the running back room that was supposed to be one of the best in the Big Ten. Whether it be issues with the offensive line unit, vanilla scheming, or just poor rushing, the Nittany Lions have not performed up to their expectations. In three of its four games so far, the running backs have failed to rush for more than 3 yards per carry. Two of these games were against Wisconsin and Auburn, yes, but the third came against an FCS Villanova squad. Outside of the dominant Ball State game, Penn State has rushed 85 times for just 214 yards (2.5 yards per rush).

The offense is still rounding into form under its new offensive coordinator, and it does seem that defenses are playing in a “make Sean Clifford beat us” way, but this is certainly a cause for concern if the trend continues. The offense could have significant problems if it is unable to even consider running the ball on 3rd and short situations.

2. Stout defense.

The Penn State defense has been solid on the year. They are likely to credit for their opening win at Wisconsin, and they have remained good the last three games. Ji’Ayir Brown’s interception on Villanova’s first possession of the second half last week gave the Nittany Lions a takeaway in ten consecutive games, the second longest active streak in the FBS. They hold a +7 turnover advantage on the season.

“They have a good combination of everything,” said offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.

The Nittany Lions were especially impressive in their front seven this past weekend. The defense tallied eight tackles for loss, three of which came by way of a sack. Linebacker Brandon Smith had 2 for loss, while transfers Arnold Ebikedie and Derrick Tangelo each added 1.5.

3. Revenge game.

Talk to a random college football fan about last year’s game, and they will probably tell you. Talk to any Penn State fan, and they will surely tell you.

“Penix was short.”

There is, without a doubt, still a bitter taste in the mouths of the Nittany Lions when discussing last season’s 36-35 opening loss to Indiana. But this year, they are certain, will be different. The Hoosiers must travel to State College this year and welcoming them will be over 100,000 fans for a nationally televised night game. And in just a slight a step down in intensity of Penn State’s annual white out game, this one will be a stripe-out.

Indiana struggled in their season opener on the road at Iowa in controlling their emotions in front of a raucous crowd. If they start similarly to that game this week, things will be over before they even get started.

“It’s gonna be a special game, I know those guys will have a nice crowd out there. We’re ready, we have crowds here at IU also,” said All-American cornerback Taiwan Mullen. “We’re ready for the atmosphere, ready for the loud noise.”