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O T H E R M A T C H U P S THE LOWDOWNThese two teams are very similar in the kicking game. Penn State's kickoff return unit ranks second in the Big Ten, averaging 25.6 yards per return, while Maryland ranks third at 24.7 yards per return. Maryland averages 5.0 yards per punt return, while Penn State averages 8.7. The one area on special teams in which Penn State has a big advantage is at punter. Blake Gillikin averages 43.3 yards per attempt, with his longest kick covering 74 yards. Maryland's Wade Lees averages 41.1 yards. // EDGE Even SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWNThis series began with a 57-0 Penn State victory in 1917, and that game pretty much set the tone for the next century. The Nittany Lions' overall record against Maryland is 38-2-1. The Terrapins' victories were in 1961 (21-17) and 2014 (20-19). Last year's matchup was one of the most lopsided games in the history of the series, as Penn State rolled to a 66-3 victory in College Park. // EDGEPenn State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Maryland's coaching situation has been in turmoil ever since D.J. Durkin was suspended in the pre- season. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada has been serving as interim head coach in place of Durkin, who was fired on Oct. 31, and Canada has done surprisingly well, keeping the Terps in postseason contention with a 5-6 record. His counterpart, James Franklin, is in his fiBh year as head coach at Penn State, where he has compiled a 44-20 record, including an 8-3 mark this season. // EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF N O V E M B E R   2 1 ,   2 0 1 8 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 5 yards and a team-leading five receiving touchdowns. D.J. Turner has 13 catches for 159 yards and one TD. The only other pass-catcher in double-digits is Dontay Demus with 10 receptions for 243 yards. Maryland could have real difficulty throwing the ball against Penn State. The Nittany Lions rank third in the Big Ten in pass defense, thanks in large part to a pass rush that has generated a Big Ten-best 39 sacks. Gross-Matos leads the way with eight sacks, while Miller has seven and Windsor 6.5. Penn State has 13 interceptions through 11 games. Three players – Taylor, Scott and CB Amani Oruwariye – have three picks apiece. // KEY MATCHUP At times, Maryland has had trouble protecting its quarterbacks. Despite throwing far fewer passes than anyone else in the conference, the Terps have al- lowed 25 sacks; only three Big Ten teams have allowed more. Prince could have his hands full with Gross-Matos, while Miller will be looking to get past Gray. One other matchup that bears watching will be the battle between Jones and Penn State CB John Reid. Jones is the Terrapins' big-play specialist in the passing game. // EDGE Penn State

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