Penn State Football: 2017 position grades vs Rutgers
Secondary
Marcus Allen lowered the boom so well against the run – he almost factored into the linebacker’s grade. The senior safety laid the wood against the run game and darted through Rutgers backs for just three tackles but all were stunners.
As much as Allen made huge tackles in the run game, fellow safeties Nick Scott, Ayron Monroe and Troy Apke made huge tackles as well stalling Rutgers drives. Monroe recorded seven tackles, while Scott and Apke recorded four and two.
Other than that, the passing game was a non-factor. The secondary did a great job of keeping the receivers in check. Giovanni Rescigno took off and ran on multiple third and long situations because there was nowhere to go with the football.
He only completed 7-of-20 passes for 43 yards recording zero touchdowns. Although this defense came up with zero interceptions, Grant Haley did deflect two passes and led another A-plus secondary effort.
This game was highly important to the unit’s confidence. After such a brutal pair of games, this team needed a dominant win.