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Penn State Football: Position grades versus Illinois 2018

By Dylan Burd

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Bennett Williams #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reaches for the tackle during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Bennett Williams #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reaches for the tackle during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 21: Donovan Johnson #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is assisted off of the field by trainers during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 21: Donovan Johnson #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is assisted off of the field by trainers during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Secondary

While Penn State football couldn’t defend the run at all on Friday, the passing defense wasn’t terrible. Granted, they were playing against a freshman quarterback on Illinois, but still, the secondary play was solid, as they only allowed 166 passing yards.

One of the plays that was a problem for the secondary was the trick play wide receiver passing touchdown that caught Amani Oruwariye by surprise. Other than that, there were a few careless plays such as the Tariq Castro-Fields pass interference on a third and long, and the Nick Scott dropped fumble.

Safeties Jonathan Sutherland and Garrett Taylor combined for 15 tackels and two and a half tackles for loss. Amani Oruwariye had three tackles, and Tariq Castro-Fields had a tackle and a pass defended.

If the secondary can clean up some of the sloppy play on Saturday, then it’ll tremendously help Penn State football’s chances because this unit has shown some flashes.

Grade: B-

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