Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Penn State Football: Grading the Nittany Lions’ performance vs. Pitt

By Dylan Burd

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions attempts a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 14, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions attempts a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 14, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Noah Cain #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scores the game winning touchdown against Damar Hamlin during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 14, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Noah Cain #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scores the game winning touchdown against Damar Hamlin during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 14, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

A. . . . RUNNING BACKS

It was a bounce-back week for the Penn State running backs as they combined for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.

After a couple of weeks of a foggy running back situation, it looks like Penn State has settled on Journey Brown as the starter. Brown had ten carries for 109 yards, including an 85-yard run.

Brown also had a reception for 16 yards. Although Noah Cain only played one series in the game, he was phenomenal. On one drive, Cain had six carries for 40 yards and a touchdown. He also had a catch for 13 yards.

His elusiveness looked far above that of a true freshman as he seemingly picked up four or five yards on every carry. Cain has now scored in every one of Penn State’s games and has four scores on the season.

Devyn Ford had five carries for nine yards including a one-yard touchdown. He also had a catch for nine yards. Ricky Slade had four carries for four yards, and two receptions for 42 yards.

If I had to guess, Journey Brown is going to be the starting running back going forward with Noah Cain as his backup. I think Slade will come in primarily as a pass catcher and Ford will fall out of the rotation.

Home/Penn State Football