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Defensive Report Card Through 2 Weeks

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020.Ohio State Faces Penn State In Happy Valley
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020.Ohio State Faces Penn State In Happy Valley /
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Oct 31, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes a catch as Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) attempts a tackle during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes a catch as Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) attempts a tackle during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Backs

Grade: D

The secondary was exposed a bit towards the end of last season in a few games against the better passing attacks Penn State faced. That cast a bit of skepticism and uncertainty on this group coming into 2020 and after two games, those same concerns and questions remain.

Redshirt freshman Joey Porter Jr. was a surprise when listed as a starter, however the move has paid off for Penn State as Porter has been a diamond in the rough. Porter, a former 4-star recruit has a sack, a tackle for loss, two pass breakups and has been Penn State’s best cover corner. He was beat for a touchdown by Ohio State wideout Chris Olave Saturday night, but Olave is going to do that to a lot of corners this season.

Porter was in good position, but a perfect throw beat good coverage. On the other side of the field, senior Tariq Castro Fields has been good but not great. The secondary was strong against Indiana in week one, however did let the Hoosiers march down the field in under two minutes with relative ease to tie the game. In week two, the Penn State football secondary looked totally overmatched against the Buckeyes. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was 28-34 for 318 yards and four touchdown with mostly relative ease to boot.  Safeties Lamont Wade and Jaquan Brisker were constantly out of position and the corner backs gave up easy completions playing soft coverage.

This is another group that seems to lack that playmaker or lock down corner they need to compete with the most elite teams like an Ohio State. The lack of playing time for sophomore cornerbacks Marquise Wilson and Keaton Ellis has also been a major disappointment.

dark. Next. Penn State Offense Report Card

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