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Penn State Football position grades after back to back wins

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Brandon Smith of Penn State sacks quarterback Johnny Lanngan of Rutgers in the first half during a Big Ten college football match up that saw Penn State defeat Rutgers 23-7 in Piscataway, NJ on December 5, 2020.Big Ten College Football Penn State At Rutgers In Piscataway Nj On December 5 2020
Brandon Smith of Penn State sacks quarterback Johnny Lanngan of Rutgers in the first half during a Big Ten college football match up that saw Penn State defeat Rutgers 23-7 in Piscataway, NJ on December 5, 2020.Big Ten College Football Penn State At Rutgers In Piscataway Nj On December 5 2020 /
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Penn State Football
Penn State running back Devyn Ford(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports) /

Running Back

Grade B+

Penn State has done a terrific job of recruiting the running back position in recent years, and the depth and talent of the room has showed in the last few games.

The outlook was bleak after a week five loss to Iowa, in which Penn State did not have a running back rush for 10 yards as Devyn Ford, Keyvone Lee, and Caziah Holmes combined for 16 yards on 13 carries. Levis led the team in rushing that afternoon with 34 yards.

Since then, the group has bounced back in a big way, with the freshman, Lee, stealing the spotlight. With sophomore Devyn Ford out for the game in Ann Arbor, Lee stepped in and ran for 134 yards and a touchdown, coming away with Big Ten freshman of the week honors. He followed it up with 95 yards on 17 attempts in the win against the Scarlet Knights this past Saturday.

Ford was back in action in week seven, and also put forth maybe his best performance of the season, rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown on only 11 attempts in the win. Ford ran tough, breaking tackles and showing the elusiveness the staff and fans have been waiting for.

Lee lacks true breakaway speed, but did show he can get out in the open field when he broke away for a 31 yard gain late in the game against Rutgers when Penn State was backed up inside their own two yard line. He is a tough downhill runner and a great compliment to the speed and shiftiness of Devyn Ford.

The future is bright at running back as the Nittany Lions will also get Noah Cain back from injury in 2021.

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