Penn State football: 5 Players that are key to a victory over Maryland

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 – NOVEMBER 10: Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hits the arm of Jack Coan #17 of the Wisconsin Badgers as he throws during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 10, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 10: Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hits the arm of Jack Coan #17 of the Wisconsin Badgers as he throws during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 10, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

4. Yetur Gross-Matos, DE

Last week, James Franklin stated what we were all thinking. Penn State’s pass rush has not been as dominant as we thought it was going to be. Obviously, quicker throws have made it difficult for the pass rush to get to the opposition’s quarterback, but even on individual plays over the last two weeks, you could see the Penn State’s pass rush getting tamed by the offensive line.

That has to change this week. Against Temple, Maryland’s quarterback did not respond well to pressure at all. That’s going to be perhaps their biggest area of concern heading into this matchup. If Penn State can morph into the defensive line we know they can be; then the Terps could be in for a long night.

It will all start with Yetur Gross-Matos coming off of the edge. He didn’t have his best game against Pitt two weeks back. Now it’s time for him to get his name back into the first-round pick prospect pool for the pros. It seems as though scouts has forgotten who he is. This week, that can all change with a big game on the road.

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