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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) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Garrett Taylor #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts in front of Taysir Mack #11 of 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: Garrett Taylor #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts in front of Taysir Mack #11 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 14, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

. . . DEFENSIVE BACKS . C-

There’s no sugarcoating this one… It was a ROUGH day for the secondary. Pitt QB Kenny Pickett completed 35 of his 51 passes for 372 yards with no turnovers.

To put things in perspective, Kenny Pickett had 55 yards and an interception against Penn State last year. The secondary didn’t give up a touchdown, but you can’t give up 372 yards through the air to Pitt. Pitt also went 3 for 3 on fourth down conversions, all of which were passing plays.

Just imagine what things are going to be like if they play like this against Justin Fields and Ohio State. They need to be better.

Safety Garrett Taylor had seven tackles including a tackle for loss. Safety Jonathan Sutherland had five tackles. Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields had five tackles as well, including a tackle for loss.

In addition, cornerback Donovan Johnson had four tackles. Safety Lamont Wade, and corners Trent Gordon and John Reid had three tackles. Reid also had a half a tackle for loss. Safety Jaquan Brisker had a pass defended, and cornerback Keaton Ellis had a tackle as well.

The Penn State secondary will face their toughest test so far in their next game versus Maryland as QB Josh Jackson has 724 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

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