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Penn State Football: 3 players who could have a big day against Northwestern

By Alec Whitaker

Sep 1, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji'Ayir Brown (16) celebrate in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji'Ayir Brown (16) celebrate in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: PJ Mustipher #97 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during the first half of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on September 25, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: PJ Mustipher #97 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during the first half of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on September 25, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

DT PJ Mustipher

While Northwestern may struggle to stop the run, it likes to try to run the ball as much as possible.

The Wildcats average 140 rushing yards per game, but that’s on an average of 39 carries per game. Meaning Northwestern only averages 3.6 yards per rush as a team.

Running back Evan Hull does most of the heavy lifting. He has already carried the ball 85 times for 370 yards this year. His average is only 4.4, but the Wildcats are dedicated to trying to run the ball.

As mentioned, the conditions may not be the best on Saturday, leading to even more run plays than usual.

If Penn State’s wants to shut down Northwestern’s offense, it’s going to start up front. The Wildcats have a respectable offensive line, led by projected first-round pick Peter Skoronski at left tackle.

In order to stop Northwestern’s run attack, defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher will have to have a big day. The fifth-year senior is working his way back from a season-ending knee injury in 2021 and is looking better and better each week.

Mustipher has just eight tackles this season, but Penn State has rotated its defensive line frequently to keep guys fresh. Now that Big Ten play is starting, the Nittany Lions will rely more on their stars, and that includes Mustipher.

Look for Mustipher to return to form against Northwestern.

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