Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/214275
P R E G A M E R E P O R T NEBRASKA 3 : 3 0 p . m . , N OV. @ P E N N 2 3 S T AT E B T N NEBRASKA FACTS COACH Bo Pelini (Ohio State, '91) COACH'S RECORD 56-23 in six seasons with the Cornhuskers 2013 RECORD 7-3 (4-2 Big Ten) RECORD VS. PENN STATE Nebraska won the first two meetings as Big Ten foes and holds an 8-7 edge in the series. Penn State, however, holds a 5-2 series lead in University Park. PREVIOUS MEETING Nebraska outscored Penn State 26-3 in the second half en route to a 32-23 victory in Lincoln on Nov. 10, 2012. But Penn State fans will remember the questionable call on Matt Lehman. The tight end stretched across the goal-line for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but referees ruled that he had fumbled the ball before breaking the plane. JUKE MOVE Abdullah rushed for 116 yards vs. Penn State last year. In 2013, he's averaging 133.6 yards per game. THE GOOD BLACKSHIRTS Nebraska's defense has been spotty at times this season, but at other times it's been dominant. Despite giving up 41 points last week, Nebraska has the best pass defense in the country, allowing only 165 yards per game. Steve Manuel Reaching the finish line THE BAD NOT ENOUGH Nebraska put up 392 yards of total offense, including 182 on the ground, in its loss against the Spartans last week. It was the most yards that the conference's best defense surrendered all season. THE UGLY GROUND BALL The Cornhuskers have the worst turnover margin in the Big Ten. This season they've totaled 17 giveaways and only five takeaways. Against Michigan State alone, Nebraska turned over the ball five times. DID YOU KNOW? Former Nebraska coach and athletic director Tom Osborne is one of 13 individuals on the selection committee that picks four teams to play in the College Football Playoff after the 2014 season. Abdullah and Nebraska aim to run past Penn State TIM OWEN | OW E N. T I M . B W I @ G M A I L . C O M Bo Pelini is plenty familiar with Christian Hackenberg. The Nebraska head coach has heard about him, he's watched his film, he's read about him, he's seen him on TV, he probably tried recruiting him, and in the Big Ten, Pelini is well aware that Hackenberg isn't going anywhere soon. He knows that he's already thrown for close to 240 yards per game and that he's just scratching the surface of his college potential – and, for that matter, Bill O'Brien's playN O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 3 1 book. Pelini has yet to see Hackenberg play in person, but he'll get a sideline view Saturday. He's eager for their first rendezvous. "The future is really bright with him, Pelini " said. "Obviously having Coach O'Brien there, he's been around some pretty good quarterbacks. He's tutored some pretty good guys. I think the future is bright over there. I think he will develop into a really good football player. He has all the tools. I mean, you see it. He has good arm strength and can do a lot of things well. " BL UEW HI T EON L I N E. COM