Penn State Football: Position Grades in 42-13 win over Michigan

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 21: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Trace McSorley #9 after catching a 42 yard touchdown pass in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on October 21, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Running Backs

Saquon Barkley keeps elevating himself closer and closer to the Heisman Trophy. Saturday he once again proved his talents are unmatched. He used just 18 offensive touches to pile up 161 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns. Barkley maximizes every single offensive play even if he doesn’t get many carries.

His only flaw, which is complete sarcasm, was that he needed to bobble a perfect ball from Trace McSorley before bringing it in for a score. Penn State football finds new ways to use him every week. This week he took a direct snap and stepped into a quarterback role like he’d been there 1,000 times. He faked a handoff to McSorley and casually destroyed Michigan’s defensive hopes on a 69-yard touchdown run.

To date, he’s compiled more than 1,200 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns, while returning a kickoff to the house as well. A big performance in Columbus could lock up the Heisman Trophy after two quality weeks.

Grade: A

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