Penn State Football vs Purdue: keys to success for the Nittany Lions

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with fans after the game against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium on September 18, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with fans after the game against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium on September 18, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Football
Ji’Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Key to success on defense #1 – don’t get beat deep

Purdue has a high-volume passing offense, and they will look to take a lot of shots downfield. For that reason, it will be important for the Penn State defense to not get beat deep.

Last season, Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell averaged 8.4 yards per attempt, which was fourth in the Big Ten.

It will be critical for Penn State’s secondary to keep everything in front of them. It’s one thing to give up some yards underneath, but they can’t let this offense get hot on big plays and turn the momentum of the game.

Luckily for the Nittany Lions, they’ll have the nation’s leader in interceptions in Ji’Ayir Brown roaming around in the defensive backfield at safety, as well as some outstanding cornerbacks.

If the secondary matches expectations, they should be able to limit Purdue’s passing attack and give themselves a great chance to come home 1-0.