Penn State Football: Keys to the Game (Game #10 – Nebraska Cornhuskers)

Contain Martinez / Abdullah!

November 12, 2011; University Park, PA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez (3) gets tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Jordan Hill (47) at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

This is probably the biggest no-brainer of the bunch.  Nebraska’s offense goes as these two go.  In fact, even if one of them doesn’t go off, the other one is more than capable of doing the job all by himself.  Penn State has to be able to limit the big plays that each of these All-Big Ten candidates brings to the table.

Nebraska’s offense ranks 2nd in the Big Ten in total yards (4,386) but first in yards per game (487.3).  Of those total yards, Martinez and Abdullah have accounted for 3,568 yards (81.35%).  No doubt that both of these players are a big reason why Nebraska is in the hunt for the Big Ten title and a shot at the Rose Bowl.

How does Penn State go about trying to slow these two players?  For Martinez, I think Penn State has to make him as uncomfortable as possible.  I would dare to say that Martinez would rather run first and pass second.  Usually his passes are a direct result of him escaping the pocket and finding someone open or using him on designed rollouts.  Rarely do you see Martinez become a straight drop-back passer.  He does have that capability though.  Penn State needs to be able to generate pressure from the edges with their defensive ends.  Martinez likes to run wide of the ends, not move up in the pocket like Miller from Ohio State does.  If the defensive ends can force Martinez to stay within the bounds of the pocket, that will take away some of his mobility and elusiveness.

The linebackers will also have a significant role to play in curtailing the exploits of Taylor Martinez.  Watching Ohio State, I noticed that the linebackers, especially Mauti and Hodges, were being cut block quite often.  They need to do a better job of fending off those blocks and/or getting up from them quickly.  When Mauti and Hodges were able to fill the gaps, Ohio State wasn’t nearly as successful.  Getting off of those blocks to stymie a run game is not easy and can be exhausting to do it for an entire game.  Penn State will have to fend off those blocks to make plays at the point of attack.

Another way to slow down Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez is to force him into long down and distances.  Last year at Penn State, Martinez only completed 13 of 26 for 143 yards.  He also threw no touchdowns nor did he have any picks.  For Penn State to win Saturday they need to force Martinez and the Huskers to put the ball in the air at least 35 times.  Most might think that for one of the Big Ten’s best passers, putting the ball in the air that many times would be a bad thing for Penn State.  I would disagree.  if he has to throw at least 35 times, to me, that signals the running game, the life-sustainer for Nebraska, is not working.  Over 55% of Nebraska’s total yards (2,426 / 4,386) come via the run.  Making Nebraska have to throw the ball can only play into Penn State’s hands.

To slow the Ameer Abdullah, the Nittany Lions must be committed to playing more base (or Tampa-2) coverage, and bringing pressure with their front four.  The expected loss of DT Jordan Hill for this game will certainly hurt the Penn State pass rush and their run-stopping capabilities.  Penn State, however, cannot allow themselves to be giving up 4-5 yards per running play.  Later in the game, those types of plays will become 5-7 yards.  The linebackers must converge on the ball carrier and not allow the play to get outside, that is when Abdullah and Martinez are at their best.

Limiting Nebraska, the Big Ten’s best rushing attack (269.56 ypg), to a number well below their per game average will be one of the biggest keys to Penn State winning this game.