Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Penn State vs. Minnesota Position Grades

By Shane Lunnen

Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tackle Andrew Nelson (59) rings the victory bell following the conclusion of the overtime game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tackle Andrew Nelson (59) rings the victory bell following the conclusion of the overtime game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State football players sing the alma mater following the conclusion of the overtime game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State football players sing the alma mater following the conclusion of the overtime game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

Another solid week from this unit which is quickly becoming a Nittany Lion strength.

Tyler Davis was clutch again.  He was 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts, including the 40-yarder that sent the game into overtime.  Dare we say he’s “Mr. Automatic”?  That’s now 17 consecutive field goals made by Davis, breaking Sam Ficken’s record.

The Lions limited the Gopher return game on the punts and kickoffs, but they also didn’t make much room in their own return game.  Punter Blake Gillikin averaged 39.2 yards on six punts, which is just average, but he did get one inside the 20.

What most people will be talking about was the hit Joey Julius absorbed on a kickoff from Minnesota linebacker Jaylen Waters.  It wasn’t overly vicious, but because the kick was in the endzone and not returnable everybody was slowing down so it was a pretty cheap hit.  Waters was ejected and Julius eventually got up and walked to the sideline under his own power.

Grade: A-

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