Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Penn State vs. Purdue Position Grades

By Shane Lunnen

Oct 29, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) escapes a tackle in the first half at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) escapes a tackle in the first half at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) waits for the snap in the first half at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) waits for the snap in the first half at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterbacks

Another solid performance by Trace McSorley.  Was it perfect?  No, but it did not have to be.

McSorley went 12-for-23 for 228 yards and 3 touchdown passes.  Bigger than those numbers are again, no turnovers.  After a shaky start to the season, McSorley has cleaned it up and held onto the ball and has not forced throws.

The other big thing here is that McSorley did not have to run in this one.  For the most part, he was handing the ball off to the running backs from the zone read or throwing it.  I think the coaches prefer that, but they are not afraid to run McSorley when it’s needed.

Due to the lopsided nature of the second half, backup Tommy Stevens got extended playing time, leading two Nittany Lion scoring drives.  He carried the ball five times for 31 yards and completed one pass for 26 yards.  In his limited time this season, Stevens looks capable of running this offense.

Grade: A-

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