Penn State vs. Michigan State Position Grades

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps over Michigan State Spartans defensive end Demetrius Cooper (98) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs:

A bounce back game for Saquon Barkley, even though he didn’t get into the endzone.  He went for 103 yards on only 17 carries.  He also finished the season with 1007 yards and passed D.J. Dozier for the most rushing yards for a Penn State freshman in a single season.  Hats off to the kid.

There was a third and 23 play in the 2nd quarter deep in their own territory that Barkley showed his talent.  It was a run play with Penn State just looking to get off the field and Barkley broke it for 22 yards and nearly got the 1st down.  On fourth and 1, he picked it up.  That right there was Barkley putting the team on his back and saying, “Let’s do this.”

Besides Barkley, the only other player that touched the ball in the running game was Brandon Polk on a well-timed jet sweep that went for 25 yards.  Akeel Lynch only came in on a few plays as a blocker.

I’ve said it many times before, but I’m real excited to see Barkley after an off season of training.

Grade: B

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