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KEY MATCHUPS P E N N   S T A T E  V S .  K E N T   S T A T E WHEN PENN STATE PENN STATE RUNNING GAME VS. KENT STATE RUN DEFENSE PENN STATE PASSING GAME VS. KENT STATE PASS DEFENSE KENT STATE PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE BY PHIL GROSZ THE BALL PENN STATE RUNNING GAME 167.0 YPG, 4.5 YPC KENT STATE RUN DEFENSE 186.3 YPG, 5.3 YPC THE LOWDOWN The Golden Flashes are led by All-Mid-American Conference DT Roosevelt Nix, who, despite weighing only 267 pounds, entered the 2013 season with 20.5 career sacks, 52 career tackles for loss and 10 forced fumbles. Junior LB De'Vante Strickland, sophomore LB Matt Denlinger and senior FS Luke Wollett are the Golden Flashes' three leading tacklers. The Penn State offensive line will have an advantage of nearly 50 pounds per man in its battle against Kent State's defensive front, and the Flashes will be without DT Nate Terhune, who suffered a broken leg in last week's 45-13 loss at LSU. EDGE Penn State PENN STATE PASSING GAME 293.7 YPG, 12.8 YPC KENT STATE PASS DEFENSE 270.0 YPG, 17.6 YPC THE LOWDOWN If the statistics are any indication, Kent State's secondary will find itself in a mismatch in its battle against Penn State freshman QB Christian Hackenberg and his fleet of wide receivers and tight ends, led by AllAmerica hopeful Allen Robinson. LSU completed 13 of 18 passes for 264 yards and three TDs in last Saturday's romp in Death Valley, and you can bet the Nittany Lions will attempt more than 18 passes. Don't be surprised if Hackenberg surpasses 300 yards against the Golden Flashes, especially with S Luke Wollet likely to miss the game with shoulder and knee injuries. EDGE Penn State WHEN KENT KENT STATE RUNNING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE HAS | STATE HAS THE BALL KENT STATE RUNNING GAME 121.0 YPG, 3.3 YPC PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE 117.0 YPG, 3.2 YPC THE LOWDOWN Kent State's offense suffered a major blow when preseason All-American Dri Archer went down with a left ankle injury in the opener against Liberty. Archer was Kent State's top rusher, punt and kickoff returner and receiver in 2012. He scored a school single-season record 23 touchdowns as a junior, and he will be hard to replace if he can't play this weekend. (Archer carried seven times vs. LSU, but did not appear to be at full strength.) Junior Trayion Durham will likely get most of the carries if Archer isn't available. He's a 248-pound power runner who has gained 152 yards on 50 carries this season. EDGE Penn State KENT STATE PASSING GAME 182.7 YPG, 9.0 YPC PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE 199.7 YPG, 11.1 YPC THE LOWDOWN Colin Reardon has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 548 yards and four touchdowns, but the passing game really hasn't been a productive part of Kent State's offense. That's because the Golden Flashes average only 6.5 yards per pass. They have no one to provide a vertical threat and stretch the opposing defense. Junior Chris Humphrey and senior Tyshon Goode are Kent State's leading receivers with 13 and 14 catches, respectively. Like the backfield, this unit misses Archer. Penn State's young cornerbacks – Trevor Williams and Jordan Lucas – should be able to control both Humphrey and Goode. EDGE Penn State OTHER MATCHUPS SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWN Sam Ficken has developed into the leading place-kicker in the Big Ten. Jesse Della Valle is a solid punt returner, averaging 13.3 yards per return, and redshirt freshman Eugene Lewis is emerging as a top-flight kickoff returner with a 25-yard average. Penn State's coverage teams still need some fine-tuning, however. Kent State's special teams have struggled with Archer out of action. EDGE Penn State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Penn State's situation at linebacker continues to be a concern. Mike Hull is listed as "day to day" by Bill O'Brien, and fellow OLB Ben Kline continues to battle shoulder problems. On a more positive note, TE Kyle Carter is improving, O'Brien said. And while Penn State's health problems have added to its sanction-related depth concerns, they've been minor compared to the problems the Golden Flashes have endured. EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF THE LOWDOWN O'Brien has had more than a year to settle in at Penn State, and the coaching staff appears very comfort- able under his leadership. Kent State, meanwhile, is in its first season under Paul Haynes. A former defensive coordinator at Ohio State and Arkansas, Haynes has had some tough luck so far. The injuries to crucial players like Archer have compounded the usual transitional challenges. EDGE Penn State S E P T E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 3 3 B L UE WHI T E ON L I N E . COM

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