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Penn State Football: 3 veterans who need to step up vs. Michigan

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Nov 21, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions players react during the playing of the alma mater following the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions players react during the playing of the alma mater following the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State football is 0-5 for the first time in program history and will get one last attempt to win a meaningful game in Ann Arbor this Saturday.

STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 31: Lamont Wade #38 of the Penn State Nittany Lions takes the field before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on October 31, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 31: Lamont Wade #38 of the Penn State Nittany Lions takes the field before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on October 31, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

After losing to Maryland 35-19 and falling to 0-3, it appeared Penn State Football had hit rock bottom. But, that was just the beginning.

Following Saturday’s loss at the hands of Iowa, Penn State Football is now 0-5 for the first time in program history, seemingly testing just how deep that bottom actually is.

Penn State football is becoming a national punchline and this Saturday’s matchup with the 2-3 Michigan Wolverines presents an opportunity for further embarrassment, or possibly a glimmer of silver linings for Penn State fans who will certainly relish the chance to put their foes from Ann Arbor into a further ridicule.

The game will be nationally televised in the noon time slot on ABC, telling you that even at their low points, these two proud programs still matter.

Penn State has no doubt underachieved, tumbling from a top 10 preseason ranking, but a few experienced Nittany Lions have stood out.

If Penn State is going to right the ship, even for one week, they will need these players to step up in a big way.

Lamont Wade

In my preseason piece breaking down this roster, I labeled senior safety Lamont Wade as a player I expected to take a big leap, even being a player that could step into the role of ‘game changer’ that was left by Micah Parsons opting out of the season.

In Week 1, Wade made a critical interception of Indiana quarterback Michael Pennix that set up a Penn State touchdown in the second half, and also recovered a fumble before half. Since then, Wade has been mostly absent of big plays for this defense.

Wade has 27 total tackles this season, good for fifth on the team, yet has no tackles for loss, no sacks and not a single pass breakup.

In 2019, Wade had a knack for the big play, recording two sacks, five pass breakups and forced three fumbles, two of which came in there trip to Columbus.

On top of the stats, Wade has not passed the eye test either. It seems Wade is constantly out of position or trailing a receiver after a big play. Obviously without knowing the defensive play call or who is responsible for what, its impossible to know who bares the blame on a given play.

Penn State’s defense ranks near the bottom of the Big Ten in completion percentage and quarterback rating given up, some of that has to fall on Wade.

Brent Pry’s defense has struggled to make big plays this season and help out the offense, and Wade being unable to produce those plays is a big reason for that. Penn State ranks 124th of 127 FBS schools in turnover margin, with -1.8. If Wade can make a big play Saturday, particularly early in the game, it could be the shot in the arm the offense and this team needs to pull the upset in Ann Arbor.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh would not announce a starter for this game, however it is assumed sophomore Cade McNamara will get the nod, making his first collegiate start. McNamara should be ripe for a few turnovers in this one.

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