Penn State vs. Rutgers Grades

Sep 19, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the football during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs:

In my game prediction, I said that Akeel Lynch and Saquon Barkley should be workhorses in this one.  They sure were, to the tune of a combined 315 yards and three touchdowns.

Lynch only got the ball 10 times, but made the most of it with his untouched 75-yard run for a score in the second quarter.  But the story of the game again goes to Barkley.  The kid sure can fly around.  He hits the hole with speed and has great vision.  He just has it and he’s only a freshman.  We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but Barkley has made his case to supplant Lynch as the starter.  He might have just picked up his second Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors with that performance.

I’m sure it pained Rutgers to watch Barkley run up and down the field on them as he once was a Rutgers commit.  The last touchdown drive consisted of two plays, 54 yard and 16 yard runs for Barkley into the end zone.

Opposing defenses are now going to have to game plan for the tandem of Lynch and Barkley.

Grade: A+

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