Key players for Penn State Football as they travel to take on Michigan State in the final regular season matchup of the season
By Nick Kreiser
Penn State Football travels to East Lansing this weekend to take on the 12th ranked Michigan State Spartans in the final regular season matchup of 2021.
Though his status is questionable at the moment, the Penn State Football defense will be tested with shutting down one of the best running backs in the country and a potential Heisman Trophy finalist, Kenneth Walker III.
The Spartans’ defense was embarrassed through the air last week, as CJ Stroud threw for over 400 yards and 6 touchdowns in the first half.
While the Nittany Lions do not have a quarterback of that caliber, they do still have talented receivers and the potential to take advantage of Michigan State’s secondary.
Perhaps most importantly, the most beautiful trophy in all of sports is on the line in this game, and there is no over-stating the importance of this game as a result of that.
James Franklin and his team look to pick up their first win over a ranked opponent since taking down Auburn in September.
Penn State Football will need big games from these players if they’re going to take down Michigan State:
Penn State Football linebacker – Ellis Brooks
Kenneth Walker III is arguably the best running back in the country, and the Nittany Lions’ number one priority on defense needs to be shutting him down. He is fifth among all Power 5 running backs in yards per carry with 6.43, and fourth in rushing touchdowns with 17.
Ellis Brooks is a veteran at the linebacker position for Brent Pry’s defense and leads the team with 91 total tackles.
Brooks has played some of his best games this season against the best rushing teams that Penn State Football has faced, and that trend will need to continue against the Spartans.
The senior linebacker will need to set the tone for the entire unit and swarm to the football and make sure to wrap up Walker, who is excellent at breaking tackles. More often than not, it will take more than one defender to bring him down.
Walker did miss most of last week’s game against Ohio State with a “nagging” ankle injury, and it is not certain if he will be able to go this week for Mel Tucker’s squad, but if he can, Ellis Brooks and the front seven of the Nittany Lions need to shut him down.