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Penn State Football vs Purdue: reasons for optimism for the Nittany Lions

By Nick Kreiser

COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions drops back to pass during the first half of their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions drops back to pass during the first half of their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 11: Daequan Hardy #25 of the Penn State Nittany Lions intercepts a pass during the second half of the game against the Ball State Cardinals at Beaver Stadium on September 11, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 11: Daequan Hardy #25 of the Penn State Nittany Lions intercepts a pass during the second half of the game against the Ball State Cardinals at Beaver Stadium on September 11, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Reason for optimism #2 – the Penn State Football secondary

By now you probably know that Purdue loves to throw the ball, and they do it well. However, they could have a difficult time doing that on Thursday night given how good Penn State’s defensive backfield projects to be.

Safety Ji’Ayir Brown and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are both among the best at their positions in the Big Ten, and Daequan Hardy is an outstanding nickel corner as well. Combine them with some young, talented DBs such as Kalen King and Zakee Wheatley, and it could be a long night for Purdue and their air raid offense.

There’s certainly some uncertainty surrounding Penn State’s secondary with Jaquan Brisker and Tariq Castro-Fields off to the NFL, but if this unit is even close to as good as many fans think they can be, they should be able to contain the Boilermakers’ passing attack.

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