Penn State Football: Position Grades versus Indiana Hoosiers

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: DaeSean Hamilton #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions crosses the goal line on a touchdown pass thrown by Saquon Barkley #26 (not pictured) during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: DaeSean Hamilton #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions crosses the goal line on a touchdown pass thrown by Saquon Barkley #26 (not pictured) during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks

Here’s the deal, Trace McSorley is in a second-year slump. Outside of the final drive, he didn’t play well against Iowa and struggled mightily against Pitt. His inaccuracy and at-times poor decision-making has killed drives. But, even through the attrition of a rough season, McSorley bounced back against Indiana.

He did throw a poorly placed interception and missed some throws. Sometimes he just tries to do too much and that’s the case on his lone interception. But, he stood tall against rising pressure. The offensive line didn’t give him the most time, so some of the struggles shouldn’t lay on him.

The most impressive showing from McSorley this weekend was the rebound. After struggling in the second quarter, he cleaned things up. If there’s a takeaway everyone should focus on with McSorley it’s his resiliency. Anytime things haven’t gone the Nittany Lions way, he rallied himself back into the game.

Overall, he compiled an impressive game after a slow start. He completed 23-of-36 passes for 315 yards, three total touchdowns against just one interception. The more snaps he gets, the quicker he’ll climb out of his slump. He’s close to a better year, but he needs to hurry up with Michigan and Ohio State looming.

Grade: A-