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Penn State Football: 3 keys to beating Rutgers

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Nov 30, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Rutgers 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Rutgers 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaquan Brisker (1). (Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)
Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaquan Brisker (1). (Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports) /

Penn State front seven vs Rutgers Offense

Rutgers starting quarterback Noah Vedral was a game time scratch last week against the Boilermakers, and it it is yet to be seen who will start Saturday against Penn State.

With Vedral out, Rutgers was heavily reliant on running the ball, tallying 176 yards on the ground in the win. Backup quarterback and New Jersey Native Johnny Langan led the Scarlet knights in attempts and yards, running a similar type offense to that of Penn State’s when Will Levis is behind center.

If Vedral is unable to go, quarterback duties will once again fall on junior Artur Sitkowski and junior Langan, so the Nittany Lions can expect more of a similar attack from Rutgers. Junior Isaih Pacheco leads the team in rushing this season with 390 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 4.5 yards per carry.

Penn State’s defense had its best performance of the year Saturday, holding the Wolverines to 286 yards, but was gashed at times for big gains in the running game.

Michigan running back Hassan Haskins ran for 101 yards, including a 59 yard scamper where he sliced through the defense going untouched until he was eventually caught from behind. Outside of that long run, Haskins was bottled up for much of the afternoon.

If Penn State can keep Pacheco under wraps Saturday, in what may be a rainy and cold SHI Stadium, it will put the pressure on Rutgers quarterbacks to beat them.

The Nittany Lions did a great job on first and second down against Michigan, forcing obvious passing situations on third down. That would be a winning formula for the Nittany Lions, no matter who is under center for Rutgers Saturday.

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