Penn State Football: Ranking top backfield duos in Nittany Lions history

Penn State Football: Ranking the top backfield duos in Nittany Lions history

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Todd Blackledge #14 of the Penn State University Nittany Lions looks to pass as running backs Curt Warner #25 and Jon Williams #44 block during a college football game against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 1982 in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeated Pitt 19-10. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

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Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

3. QB Trace McSorley and RB Saquon Barkley (2016-17)

Arguably the most explosive duo in program history, Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley helped bring Penn State back to the national stage in 2016.

In the two years they spent together, McSorley and Barkley led the Nittany Lions to a 22-5 record with a Big Ten championship and a Fiesta Bowl victory.

McSorley, Penn State’s all-time leading passer, threw for 7,184 yards with 57 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in the two years he spent with Barkley. McSorley added 856 yards and 18 scores rushing as well. After spending the 2018 season without Barkley, McSorley became a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

As for Barkley, he ran for 2,767 yards and 36 touchdowns during the two-year run with McSorley. The do-it-all running back added 1,034 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches with two more touchdowns via kick return and another coming with Barkley as a passer. Barkley finished fourth in Heisman voting in 2017 and was the second overall pick in the 2018 draft.

In the two years they spent together, McSorley and Barkley were one of the most feared backfields in the nation. They may have ended up higher on this list had they made the College Football Playoff.

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