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Penn State Football: 3 keys to bouncing back vs. Nebraska

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Nov 7, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Will Levis (7) warms up during a time-out Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Will Levis (7) warms up during a time-out Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 31, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Shaka Toney (18) reacts after sacking Idaho Vandals quarterback Colton Richardson (19) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Shaka Toney (18) reacts after sacking Idaho Vandals quarterback Colton Richardson (19) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

Strength on Strength

Penn State’s defense has surrendered 30 plus points in all three games this season, allowing over 400 yards of total offense in consecutive weeks to Ohio State and Maryland.

The rushing defense however has been solid, currently ranking fourth in the Big Ten in yards allowed per game with 124. The run defense was good against Maryland Saturday, despite one 38 yard touchdown run by Terps back Jake Funk, the Nittany Lions allowed only 123 yards on 35 carries.

Penn State is clearly missing linebacker Micah Parsons at the second level of this defense. Brent Pry would love to see some of his young linebackers like Brandon Smith or Ellis Brooks step up and make some plays in the backfield Saturday.

Something will gave to give in Lincoln, as the Cornhuskers enter the game second in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 217 yards per game. It is worth noting, Nebraska has only played two games because there week two matchup with Wisconsin was cancelled due to COVID-19, however did run for 210 yards on Ohio State in Week 1. They followed that up with 224 yards on the ground against Northwestern last week.

A majority of the Huskers’ rushing attack comes from the quarterback position, from both Adrian Martinez and Luke McCaffrey. Martinez has run for 187 yards this season, averaging over seven yards a carry. Martinez is a former 4-star dual threat quarterback who has not exactly lived up to expectations in Lincoln, even resulting in Nebraska head coach Scott Frost making a change to backup McCaffrey late in the game Saturday, only down eight points. If Penn State can force Nebraska to beat them through the air and not contain whoever is at quarterback, it will go a long way in getting there first win of the season.

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