Penn State Football: Position Grades versus Appalachian State

By Dylan Burd | Sep 4, 2018

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for a 4 yard touchdown in overtime against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

6 of 9

STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Jalin Moore #25 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers rushes for a 16 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

The Nittany Lions had two sacks in the game on Saturday and none of them were by the defensive line. They also had three QB hurries and only one of them came by a player on the defensive line (Yetur Gross-Matos).

Penn State also allowed 159 rushing yards to App State, which is 30 more than what they allowed on average in 2017.

It was clear that Penn State was suffering from the loss of defensive end Ryan Buchholz and defensive tackles Curtis Cothran and Parker Cothren.

The injury to defensive end Shane Simmons, and suspension for defensive tackle Kevin Givens also hampered the Nittany Lions on the defensive line.

Once the Nittany Lions get healthier, they should be able to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Grade: C

Home/Penn State Football