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Penn State Football: reasons for optimism for the matchup against Maryland

By Nick Kreiser

BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES - 2022/11/05: Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Jack Tuttle (14) is sacked by Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Chop Robinson (44) during an NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium. The Nittany Lions beat the Hoosiers 45-14. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES - 2022/11/05: Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Jack Tuttle (14) is sacked by Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Chop Robinson (44) during an NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium. The Nittany Lions beat the Hoosiers 45-14. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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Penn State Football looks to improve to 8-2 on the season as they welcome the Maryland Terrapins to town this weekend.

This is a good Maryland team that played Michigan tough earlier in the season, and one that always seems to give the Nittany Lions fits when they come to Beaver Stadium–so there are certainly a few causes for concern in this one.

However, the 14th ranked Nittany Lions are still the better team, and they’re playing some of their best ball of the year.

Here are three reasons for optimism that Penn State Football will take care of business this weekend against Maryland.

The secondary

Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. (9) and Kalen King (4) celebrate after forcing a turnover during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. (9) and Kalen King (4) celebrate after forcing a turnover during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /

Maryland’s strength on offense is their passing game, and as we’ve been saying all year, that’s not exactly a recipe for success for most opposing offenses against Penn State’s secondary.

The Terps’ leading receiver is Rakim Jarrett, who has caught 34 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns on the year. Their second leading pass-catcher is tight end Corey Dyches. He has 27 grabs for 376 yards and three touchdowns.

This Penn State defense has allowed just eight touchdowns through the air so far through nine games, which is tied for third best in the Big Ten. They’re also allowing the third lowest completion percentage at just 53.7%.

Taulia Tagovailoa is known to try to do too much at times and force some throws, so if that’s the case again this week, he’ll likely throw a lot of incompletions and also hopefully a couple interceptions.

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