Penn State Looks to go Running (up) with the Bulls
After those evil Nittany Lions humiliated poor Idaho last weekend, they will look to do the exact same thing to Buffalo on Saturday night.
Say what you will about running up the score, but Penn State did what they needed to do, and they did it by halftime. Idaho was paid a reported $1.45 million to come and play in Happy Valley, so as far as I’m concerned, Penn State could’ve beaten them by 172 points and it still would have been a rip off.
The fact that Penn State was able to rack up 79 points shows their incredible depth. Five running backs scored touchdowns, including scout teamer Nick Eury. Sean Clifford was responsible for 337 total yards and two touchdowns. KJ Hamler hauled in four catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns. And that’s just the offense.
The Nittany Lions were constantly in the backfield against Idaho. They tallied 7 sacks against an experienced Vandal line. John Reid got back into the swing of things with a pick, and freshman linebacker Brandon Smith nearly broke someone in half.
Penn State could not have executed any better against a team with less talent and worse athletes. That’s why the game got out of hand, not because James Franklin had an axe to grind.
Buffalo is more talented than Idaho, and should pose a greater test for Penn State, but under the lights at Beaver Stadium, James Franklin’s group will look to dominate again.
Freshman QB against Penn State, uh-oh
Last year, Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He left early to enter the NFL Draft. Enter true freshman Matt Myers who went 5-10 for 69 yards and two touchdowns last weekend against Robert Morris. Obviously, he was eased in to his first college start, but in his second, he’ll be fed to the Lions.
I could write about Penn State’s defensive line every single week, and I’m convinced it’s a top two or three front four in the country. Yetur Gross-Matos, Shaka Toney, Antonio Shelton and co. will look to make Myers uncomfortable as possible.
Buffalo will base their game plan around Myers getting the ball out quickly, and rely on running back Jaret Patterson to move the chains and keep the clock running.
Patterson was the MAC Freshman of the Year last season, and Penn State will need to bring him down when they get their hands on him. He will share some backfield duties with Kevin Marks who has a nose for the end zone. Both are running behind an experienced o-line, but can they contain Penn State?
Micah Parsons played sparingly last weekend and recorded only one tackle. Expect him to lead the Nittany Lions in tackles this go around.
Buffalo is weak at receiver, having lost their top pass catcher K.J. Osborn to the transfer portal, but tight end is a strength. Zac Lefebvre is a 6’6 target for Myers and he will be looking to him often.
Clifford will look to take advantage of Buffalo youth
Buffalo will have a very difficult time scoring against Penn State, but they may have an even more difficult time stopping them.
The Bulls are looking to replace leading tackler Khalil Hodge and stud defensive back Cam Lewis from 2018. As a matter of fact, they only return three starters on defense from a season ago.
Their inexperience coupled with a confident Sean Clifford should equal points galore.
Justin Shorter will continue to be targeted, and looks to have a breakout game.
Penn State will feature at least four running backs, and I don’t see their production falling off from last week.
Prediction
Penn State 58 Buffalo 6
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Categorized:College