Penn State vs. Northwestern Game Grades

Aug 30, 2014; Dublin, IRL; Penn State Nittany Lions place kicker Sam Ficken (97) kicks a 37 yard field goal to defeat the Central Florida Knights at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams
A poor performance was given by both special teams and Northwestern’s kicking game and decision making on special teams was putrid. Still, Penn State had a pretty bad day special teams wise, as well.

A blocked kick, a deflected punt and a long punt return hurt the Nittany Lions chances. All came at horrible times, not that there’s ever a good time, and the Wildcats were able to capitalize. Ficken was able to hit his next two attempts, but the blocked kick wasn’t kicked high enough off the ground.

The punt team wasn’t great and the kick return team gave nothing in terms of field position. Jesse Della Valle was the only bright spot with his career long punt reutrn.

Grade: D