Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1051898
O T H E R M A T C H U P S THE LOWDOWNThis is one area in which Rutgers matches up evenly with Penn State. The Scarlet Knights' special teams aren't spectacular, but they're solid. Avery Young averages 5.1 yards per punt return, PK Justin Davidovicz has converted 8 of 10 field goal attempts with a long kick of 52 yards. P Adam Korsak is averaging 42.3 yards. The one area in which Penn State has the edge on special teams is on kickoff returns. The Lions rank third in the Big Ten in that department thanks to Hamler, who is averaging 26.9 yards per return. Blake Gillikin averages 42.7 yards per punt, and PK Jake Pinegar has really improved, having converted 12 of 18 field goal attempts, including a couple of 49-yarders. // EDGE Even SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWNThe Nittany Lions have totally dominated this series since it began in 1918, winning 26 of 28 games. The Scarlet Knights' most recent victory over Penn State was in 1988, when they were coached by former Nittany Lion as- sistant Dick Anderson. Most of Penn State's road games vs. Rutgers have been played at neutral sites like the Meadow- lands. Only five have been played in Piscataway, and Penn State has won them all. // EDGEPenn State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN This is Chris Ash's third season as Rutgers' coach. The Scarlet Knights seemed to be trending in the right direction aBer winning four games last year, including three conference games, but they've slid back to the bottom of the Big Ten East Division standings in 2018 with an 0-7 mark heading into this week's game vs. Penn State (1-9 overall). Penn State's James Franklin is coming off a bounce-back win over Wisconsin and has the Lions within reach of a 10-win season. // EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF N O V E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 5 gers has thrown only four touchdown passes all season. Penn State's pass defense is sixth in the Big Ten. The Nit- tany Lions have intercepted 11 passes and have totaled a Big Ten-best 34 sacks. Scott and CB Amani Oruwariye are tied for the team lead with three interceptions apiece. Gross-Matos leads Penn State with eight sacks, while Miller has six and Windsor 5.5. // KEY MATCHUP Seymour and Cole will have their hands full trying to keep Gross-Matos, Miller and Toney out of the backfield and away from Sitkowski. They have done a terrific job so far this season, as Rutgers ranks second in the Big Ten, having allowed only 12 sacks. Elsewhere, Parsons and SS Garrett Taylor will be looking to keep Blackshear under wraps. The sophomore running back has been Rutgers' most effective receiving threat this year. // EDGE Penn State