Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions’ performance vs. Purdue
By Dylan Burd
![STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scrambles for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scrambles for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/72ae725b396ccd48e404d191ea7a65b75accf04febac02ff4b7d8a9c0a5427b2.jpg)
. . SPECIAL TEAMS . C+.
It was another suspect day for the special teams on Saturday. Penn State had another penalty on one of K.J Hamler’s punt return, and then a penalty when they interfered with Purdue catching a punt. Penalties on special teams were a problem for the Nittany Lions last week, as well.
In addition, Purdue recovered a fumble on a punt when the ball hit off Penn State’s Jonathan Sutherland. Jake Pinegar also missed his first field goal of the season, a 35-yarder. He’s now four of five on field goals for the season.
The punt returns were a bit sloppy all around on Saturday, and special teams mistakes can’t be afforded against Iowa, where you know a big special teams play is probably going to have a massive impact on the game.