Penn State vs. Rutgers Grades

Sep 19, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions kicker Joey Julius (99) kicks an extra point in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams:

James Franklin made a switch at punter, handing over the duties to Chris Gulla after the struggles of Daniel Pasquariello.  It paid off, and Gulla pinned Rutgers deep all night. All 5 of his punts were inside the 20, with a long of 52 and a 41-yard average.  His punts had enough hang time for the gunners to get down field and cover Rutgers’ Janarion Grant, completely taking him out of the game.

Joey Julius was also great on his kickoffs with four-of-five of them going for touchbacks.  On one of the kickoffs, Julius coffin cornered it into the end zone.  Coming into the game, Rutgers had a huge advantage on special teams but Penn State took it away.

Penn State’s Nick Scott took the opening kickoff 34 yards to setup the Nittany Lions in good position for their first drive.  I’m still waiting for Scott or DeAndre Thompkins to break one for a score, but they sure have made Penn State’s special teams exciting, which is something we haven’t said since Derrick Williams was returning punts.

Grade: A+

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