Penn State Football vs Maryland: Key players for Nittany Lions to snap 3 game skid
By Nick Kreiser
Penn State Football looks to right the ship and get in the win column for the first time in over a month as they travel south to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins.
The Nittany Lions will try to avenge last season’s 35-19 loss to the Terps, and if they play to their potential, should have minimal trouble in doing so.
Maryland is No. 84 in the country in passing yards allowed, so Penn State Fotball’s air attack will be important in this one as they should look to get the ball into the hands of their top playmaker.
Conversely, Maryland also has one of the better passing attacks in the Big Ten, so the Nittany Lions’ secondary will be important in this one, as well as their pass rush.
Here are 5 Nittany Lions who will need to make an impact for Penn State Football on Saturday afternoon in Maryland.
Penn State Football defensive end – Arnold “AK” Ebiketie
Ebiketie is undoubtedly Penn State Football’s best pass rusher, leading the team with 5.5 sacks on the year.
Since the Terrapins have a solid passing game, being able to get consistent pressure on quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and forcing him to get the ball out early is key.
The Nittany Lions also need to be able to get Tagovailoa on the ground a few times, as they were unsuccessful at getting home last week against CJ Stroud.
“AK” got close to getting the Buckeyes’ quarterback on the ground a handful of times, but Stroud was able to get the ball out quick enough each time. A sack or two could’ve been huge in the game against the Buckeyes, and things could’ve been much closer as a result.
The same will be true this weekend because if Tagovailoa has a clean pocket and plenty of time to throw the football this weekend, he can and will have a big day. He threw for 419 yards and 2 touchdowns in Maryland’s last game against Indiana.
Ebiketie will be expected to lead the charge of the Lions’ defensive front as he has been all season long. He also has the opportunity to make himself some money down the final stretch of the season, beginning this Saturday.