Penn State Football: Position Grades versus Pittsburgh

Defensive playmakers and an explosive stop-and-start offense carried Penn State football to 2-0. Find out who earned the best grades in week two.

Not the best all around performance for Penn State football, but a 19-point win will certainly do. After last year’s disappointing loss, Penn State’s defense didn’t mess around. It attacked downhill and Pitt couldn’t contain. All day the defense made life difficult for the Pitt Panthers, but the offense also did its job as well.

The Nittany Lions’ offense played below average, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t positives. Trace McSorley found his stride when it mattered most and Saquon Barkley gashed the defense once he got involved.

Still, the grades won’t be as complimentary this week. A lot of people should expect a lesser grade and for good reason. The execution wasn’t there at all times. But the good news is that even in their struggles, the Nittany Lions outplayed their rival by 19 points.

Entering the final week before conference games start, Penn State will look for improvements against Georgia State. If the offense can continue to build on its consistency this machine will be tough to stop.