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Penn State Football: 2017 position grades vs Nebraska

By Collin Wieder

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 18: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a leaping touchdown reception above the hands of Chris Weber #49 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 18: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a leaping touchdown reception above the hands of Chris Weber #49 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second quarter on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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An offensive showcase broke out in Penn State football’s home finale win. The defense didn’t close it out brilliantly, but it got the job done in the end.

It’s all fun times once again for Penn State football. This offense has returned to form after its two losses. It exorcised all sorts of demons unloading 56 points and loads of school records on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

I know, I know it’s not the most quality of wins thumping one of the Big Ten’s cellar squads, but it doesn’t matter. A win keeps the team’s hopes of a big-time bowl game alive and the upward trajectory in full swing.

On offense, the team got back to its balanced ways. Saquon Barkley exploded out of his slump compiling 224 (158 rushing) total yards on 23 total offensive touches and three rushing touchdowns. The junior Heisman Trophy candidate averaged 9.3 yards per carry and made this offense a juggernaut once again.

Trace McSorley’s growth stayed the course in a turnover-less 325-yard, three-touchdown performance. He has really started to hit his stride at the right time and it could result in an 11-win campaign for the second straight year.

Now for the somewhat negative, the defense played two separate halves of football. The first half looked dominant and stonewall-esque. The second half felt reminiscent of Ohio State and Michigan State. Nebraska’s passing game did whatever it wanted and the team racked up almost 400 yards passing on the Nittany Lions.

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