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Here’s why Penn State’s matchup with Maryland is all about Chop Robinson

By Alec Whitaker

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Chop Robinson #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Chop Robinson #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 29: Paris Johnson Jr. #77 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against Chop Robinson #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 29: Paris Johnson Jr. #77 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against Chop Robinson #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

1. Getting after the quarterback

The numbers don’t necessarily back it up, but Chop Robinson has been Penn State’s most consistent pass rusher this season.

In eight games, Robinson has 17 total tackles with 5.5 being for loss and two sacks. It really feels like he has more than two sacks with how much pressure he has generated this year. He’s not always getting home to the quarterback, but Robinson is causing chaos.

The Nittany Lions need Robinson and his fellow pass rushers to get home on Saturday against the pass happy Terps. Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is having a solid season, completing 70% of his passes for 2,078 yards 14 touchdowns and six interceptions.

If he struggles, like he did last week against Wisconsin, the Maryland offense struggles. As evident by the 10-point performance the Terps offense had last week.

Maryland struggles to protect Tagovailoa. The Terps are currently No. 87 in the country in terms of sacks allowed with 22 through nine games. Last week was arguably the offensive line’s worst performance as Tagovailoa was sacked five times by the Badgers.

Robinson and the Nittany Lions need to repeat what Wisconsin did and make life uncomfortable for Tagovailoa and the Maryland pass game.

Chop Robinson is the most consistent pass rusher on this team, and he needs to show it Saturday in order for the Nittany Lions to roll.

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