Penn State Football: Position Grades versus Akron

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Alvin Davis #1 of the Akron Zips knocks Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions from his feet during the second half on September 2, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Akron 52-0. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

6 of 9

BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 12: Devine Redding #34 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball as Shareef Miller #48 of the Penn State Nittany Lions tries to make the tackle at Memorial Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

So dangerous and so multiple, this defensive line owned the trenches against Akron. Between Tyrell Chavis, Ryan Buchholz, Curtis Cothran, Robert Windsor, Torrence Brown, Parker Cothren and Shareef Miller, the D-Line held the running game to just 73 total yards.

They also managed to sack the Zips three times and showed no drop-off losing two key contributors from last year. The pressure up front forced ill-advised throws including a key interception early on. It’s tough to find a better outing especially when shutouts are such a rarity nowadays.

Penn State football should feel special to have this unit at their disposal. Thomas Woodson was supposed to be a difference maker on the offensive end, but he never had an opportunity to do so. They suffocated him and it resulted in a zero on the scoreboard.

Grade: A+

Home/Penn State Football