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

By Dylan Burd | Sep 10, 2019

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Noah Cain #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for a touchdown against DeShondrick Foxworth #54 of the Buffalo Bulls and Tim Terry Jr. #5 during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 07, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 07: Jaquan Brisker #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts against the Buffalo Bulls during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 07, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

. . THE SECONDARY . C+.

What a roller coaster game it was for the Penn State secondary. Buffalo did have 245 passing yards, which was way more than expected. However, the entire momentum of the game changed on John Reid’s 36-yard interception return.

I thought that Reid played very well, along with junior cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields. Reid and Castro-Fields both had two passes defended. Reid also had a QB hurry, and Castro-Fields also had a tackle for loss.

Despite the performance from the starting cornerbacks, redshirt sophomore cornerback Donovan Johnson and freshman cornerback Keaton Ellis both got burned on a deep pass during the game.

Redshirt senior safety Garrett Taylor had eight tackles and JUCO-transfer junior safety Jaquan Brisker had six tackles, including a tackle for loss.

Overall, giving up 40-plus yards passing plays to Buffalo definitely isn’t ideal. The one touchdown Buffalo scored was also through the air. This certainly wasn’t the best game for the secondary at all.

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