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Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions’ performance vs. Idaho

By Dylan Burd

STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – AUGUST 31: Devyn Ford #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – AUGUST 31: Devyn Ford #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Running backs

After not having a clear-cut number one running back going into the season for the first time in four years, no one really knew what to expect in game one.

The only known was that sophomore Ricky Slade, redshirt sophomore Journey Brown, and true freshman Noah Cain were all listed as sharing the number one spot on the depth chart. True freshman Devyn Ford was listed behind them.

Even after yesterday’s game, the running back depth continues to be an unknown. However, the running backs were phenomenal Saturday, as five of them combined to score seven touchdowns.

True freshman Devyn Ford led all rushers with 107 yards on six carries, including an 81-yard rushing touchdown. He also caught three passes for six yards.

https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/1167909134722666498

Noah Cain had nine carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns, and Journey Brown had five carries for 38 yards and two touchdowns, including a 23-yarder. Brown also caught two passes for 31 yards.

Ricky Slade, who was expected to be the running back to pull away from the rest coming into the season, had five carries for 9 yards and a touchdown and also a 26-yard catch.

Redshirt junior walk-on running back Nick Eury may have been the best story of the day, as he had six carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was possibly the best play in the entire game and gained the attention of Saquon Barkley.

Overall, it’s clear that the Nittany Lions have a plethora of talent at the running back position. However, one question remains… Who will be the guy to pull away from the rest by the time the Big Ten schedule begins?

Grade: A

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