Penn State vs. Pitt Position Grades

Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) dives over the line of scrimmage into the end-zone for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes the ball against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Jordan Whitehead (9) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs

Pitt came into this game with a plan to stop the run and force Penn State to throw. Well, Saquon Barkley may not have eclipsed 100 yards on Saturday, but he accounted for all of the Nittany Lions touchdowns.

Barkley had 20 carries for 85 yards and had five total touchdowns, four rushing. He is the first Nittany Lion to have five touchdowns in a game since Ki-Jana Carter did it during the 1994 season versus Michigan State.

He also had two receptions for 45 yards, one being the 40 yard catch that he took to the house.

His only negative was coughing up the ball with the Nittany Lions driving into Pitt territory in the third quarter. It was another outstanding performance from Barkley. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out on the scoreboard.

Grade: A-

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