Penn State vs Maryland Game Grades

Nov 1, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions place kicker Sam Ficken (97) kicks a field goal from the hold of place kicker Chris Gulla (37) against the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams

It’s incredibly hard to give a poor grade to a unit that holds the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, but the punting game is just that bad. Ficken was unreal, nailing all four field goals, three from 45 yards or longer. However, he was unable to put the ball in the end zone on kickoffs. As for the punting game, Daniel Pasquariello was far from effective. Eight punts for an average of 36.8 yards, including a 24-yarder, isn’t quite a good day. Certainly not a good game for the young punter.

Grade: C