Penn State Football: Position grades versus Ohio State
By Dylan Burd
Running Backs
After a nearly flawless season prior to this game, Miles Sanders had his worst outing of the season by a landslide. He had only 43 yards on 16 carries (2.7 yards per carry), a one-yard rushing touchdown, and two receptions for only two yards.
However, more importantly than his sub par statistical game, was the fact that Sanders fumbled inside Penn State’s 25-yard line with only 2:32 left in the first half. This led to Ohio State scoring before halftime, changing the entire momentum of the game. If you want to beat a team as good as Ohio State, you can’t turn the ball over like that.
Sanders was the only running back to play in this game, as Ricky Slade didn’t see playing time, and Mark Allen is out for the season with an injury. Miles Sanders wore the number eight to honor Allen.
While Miles Sanders is a great running back and probably one of the best in college football, he isn’t as versatile of a back as Saquon Barkley. Even when Saquon’s offensive line wasn’t performing at their best, he found a way to make big plays on the receiving end, or on special teams. Miles Sanders wasn’t able to do that against Ohio State.