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Penn State Football Players of the Game: Rose Bowl Edition

By Marty Leap

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On Monday, the Penn State football team took part in a historic Rose Bowl. Read on to find out who I dubbed as their players of the game.

The 2016 season was a magical one for the Penn State football team. The Nittany Lions started 2-2, and then reeled off nine straight wins. In the process they captured their first Big Ten Championship since 2008 and earned their first Rose Bowl berth since that same season.

On Monday, the Nittany Lions and USC Trojans played in one of the most memorable Rose Bowls ever. Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, they lost in heartbreaking fashion when the Trojans kicked a field goal as time expired, securing a 52-49 victory.

Put the heartbreak aside for a minute and appreciate the good. Here are Penn State’s players of the game form the Rose Bowl

Offense – Running back Saquon Barkley

Big time players make big time plays in big time games, and that is exactly what Saquon Barkley did on Monday night. Penn State’s superstar running back rushed for 194 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His 194 rushing yards is a new Penn State bowl game record.

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Barkley’s best run of the day came on Penn State’s first play of the second half. He took the ball off the right side, might an insane cut, turned on the jets, and then just out ran the USC defense for a 79-yard touchdown run.

Monday night was the beginning of Saquon Barkley’s 2017 Heisman Trophy campaign. Honestly, it may already be a two horse race between Barkley and USC quarterback Sam Darnold after the performances each of them put on in the Rose Bowl.

For my money, Barkley is the best running back in college football. And on Monday night he showed why in the Granddaddy of Them All. Enjoy him in 2017 everyone, because it will be a long time until Penn State has a running back like Saquon Barkley again.

Honorable mention: WR Chris Godwin, QB Trace McSorley

Defense – Cornerback John Reid

Obviously, Penn State’s defense did not have a good game in the Rose Bowl. They did give up 52 points after all. That said, sophomore cornerback John Reid had a strong game for the Nittany Lions.

Reid finished the game with a tackle for a loss, two pass breakups, and had great coverage all night long. USC finished the game with 453 yards passing despite the play of John Reid, not because of it. He also did a great job in run support on Monday.

Very quietly, Reid is turning into one of the best lock-down coernerbacks in the Big Ten. Penn State’s secondary should be very good in 2017, and John Reid will be the leader of it.

Honorable mention: LB Brandon Bell, LB Jason Cabinda

Special teams – Safety Troy Apke

Penn State’s special teams were, at best, shaky on Monday night. Special teams snafus played a role in the Nittany Lions losing the Rose Bowl. But one area that was strong was punt coverage.

Junior safety Troy Apke is a big reason why the punt coverage was so strong. All night long Apke was right there as the variety of return men USC used fielded punts. Apke recorded two tackles on special teams, and also helped to bottle up return men on other occasions.

Honorable mention: P Blake Gillikin, S Ayron Monroe

Despite the tough loss, the future for the Penn State football program is still extremely bright. This team will return, at least, 17 starters next ye

ar. Additionally, there is a lot of young talent ready to step in and contribute.

Next: PSU Blows 14 Point 4th Quarter Lead In Rose Bowl

September 2, 2017 can not come soon enough. The future of the Penn State program is the brightest it has been in a long time. The Nittany Lions are now back among college football’s elite. Here’s to hoping for a rematch with the Trojans next winter, but in the College Football Playoff this time.

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