Penn State Football: Week 9 Studs and Duds against Iowa

DE – Yetur Gross-Matos

Another week and another listing on the Studs list for Spotsylvania, VA native Yetur Gross-Matos.  Of course, being on the Studs list is a great honor for any Penn State player, Gross-Matos added to his accomplishments this week by being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Against Iowa, Gross-Matos led the Nittany Lions defense with seven solo tackles and nine tackles overall.  Not only was he the team’s leading tackler, but he also led the team in sacks (2) and tackles for loss (4).  In short, he was a beast on the defensive line!  Coming into the game, Iowa allowed a Big Ten-low six sacks.  By the time the game was over, Penn State had gotten to Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley three times.  Gross-Matos was a major contributor to the uncomfortable feeling that Stanley was feeling all game.

As a true sophomore, Gross-Matos has come into his own.  He currently leads the Nittany Lions in sacks (6), and tackles for loss (12.5).  He seems to make his presence felt the most when the defense needs to make a big play or the game is on the line.  After the game, head coach James Franklin had this to say about his ball-hawking defensive end, “He is just growing up. I think that this is his second year playing and he is just getting better. He always had all of the tools and we always thought that he would be such a special player for us” (via www.gopsusports.com).

Franklin would go on to say that Gross-Matos has been doing a great job for the Nittany Lions, and as long as he can continue to develop, he should have a lasting impact on the defense.  His speed and strength are a lethal combination for opposing offensive tackles.  As he grows and matures, he will only become an even bigger threat opposite fellow defensive end Shareef Miller.

This week Gross-Matos will need to summon all of his pass-rushing skills as he goes up against a Michigan Wolverines squad that has only allowed 13 sacks all season.