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Penn State football: Schedule preview for Pittsburgh

By Collin Wieder

Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (5) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Terrish Webb (2) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. PITT won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (5) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Terrish Webb (2) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. PITT won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State football’s heartbreaking loss to an underrated Pittsburgh team last season hurt, but the Nittany Lions could avenge it this year.

As much as no one wants to look back on the 42-39 loss to Pittsburgh, Penn State football took a lot away from the loss. Despite an abysmal four turnovers, the Nittany Lions found out they are never out of a game.

They fell behind 28-7 in the second quarter and outscored the Panthers 32-14 through the rest of the game. It proved that this team could score by the bucket load. Pitt pushed this team to new heights. Yes, Michigan came just two weeks later, but Penn State was ravaged by injuries in that game. The Pitt loss set the tone for what they could be when healthy.

Peterman, Conner gone

The biggest thing to note are the departures of 2016 starting quarterback Nathan Peterman and starting running back James Conner. Peterman went through most of the season unnoticed, but he proved to himself an underrated game manager and athlete.

Against Penn State last year, he didn’t shred them, but he threw for three touchdowns and just one interception. The offense moved efficiently rushing for 341 yards on the day. If this veteran heavy, Nittany Lions’ defense shows up, they could make life uncomfortable for the new Panthers’ signal caller.

Running back-wise, Conner also departed for the NFL, and the Penn State should be overjoyed about that. He compiled 26 touches for 146 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns against Penn State.

Although he’s gone, wide receiver Quadree Henderson and running Qadree Ollison make a powerful one-two punch on offense. In two years, the Q(u)adree brothers compiled 2,286 yards on just 253 touches. These two juniors will be impact players to watch on offense.

Penn State’s defense will have a lot of players to stop these two. Most importantly, senior starting linebacker Jason Cabinda and senior safety Marcus Allen will set the tone and lower the boom on both playmakers.

Hold onto the ball

The two major departures for Pitt are key, but the offense can simplify the winning formula by not turning the ball over. The offense racked up more than 400 yards, but an uncharacteristic four turnovers and a wide open dropped touchdown doomed their chances at a win.

The offense played one its ugliest games of the year and still came within one score of win No. 12. Penn State advanced so much after this game that it the Pitt game doesn’t represent the team. Just barely a month later, a healthy Nittany Lions’ squad beat Ohio State so expect a better showing in 2017.

Must Read: Penn State Football: Revisiting the marquee win over Ohio State

Trace McSorley, Saquon Barkley and DaeSean Hamilton are completely different players since the loss against Pitt. I’d bet they remember this loss and avenge it come 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Happy Valley.

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