Blue White Illustrated

KEY MATCHUPS P E N N   S T A T E   V S .   U C F | B Y T I M O W E N W H E N P E N N S T A T E H A S T H E B A L L O T H E R M A T C H U P S PENN STATE RUNNING GAME 174.0 YPG, 4.2 YPC UCF RUN DEFENSE 122.5 YPG, 4.0 YPC THE LOWDOWN UCF has lost two defensive line starters from last season, including third-team All-Conference DT E.J. Dunston, who started 10 games. But four sophomores were in the mix last fall, including Demetris Anderson, who saw action in all but one game. Anderson is expected to start in 2014, and UCF will also rely heavily on transfer Lance McDowdell, a top juco prospect a year ago, to fill some gaps. At linebacker, first-team All-Conference se- lection Terrance Plummer returns along with Troy Gray, who made nine starts in 2013. So the Knights appear to be pretty sturdy in the middle. EDGE Even PENN STATE PASSING GAME 259.2 YPG, 15.1 YPC UCF PASS DEFENSE 239.5 YPG, 11.4 YPC THE LOWDOWN UCF returns two All-Conference selections in CB Jacoby Gray and Saf. Clayton Geathers, and the two other projected starters have serious game experience. Additionally, three true/redshirt freshmen are poised to make an impact in UCF's secondary. Some scouts believe UCF could have the best pass defense in the American Athletic Conference. Although Penn State has highly touted Christian Hackenberg under center, he will be throwing to an overhauled receiver corps that will likely feature freshmen in key roles. What's more, Penn State returns only one starting offensive lineman. UCF could make it difficult for the offense to sync up in the opener. EDGE Even PENN STATE PASSING GAME VS. UCF PASS DEFENSE UCF RUNNING GAME 159.9 YPG, 4.4 YPC PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE 144.0 YPG, 3.9 YPC THE LOWDOWN As a true freshman, RB William Stanback rushed for 443 yards for an average of 4.2 yards per carry. He also averaged 12.4 yards per reception and was an effective change-of-pace back. But the guy who was setting that pace – Storm Johnson – left for the NFL, so now Stanback is expected to be the Knights' top ball-carrier. UCF must also replace three starting offensive linemen. Penn State's defensive line is one of the Big Ten's best. If Mike Hull and his fellow linebackers can provide solid run support, PSU should be able to contain this rushing attack. At the very least, the Lions should improve upon the 219 yards they surrendered to UCF last season. EDGE Even UCF RUNNING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE UCF PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE THE LOWDOWN O'Leary prioritizes the kicking game, and UCF has consistently fielded some of the country's best special teams units. Caleb Houston returns after averaging 42.2 yards per punt last year, and All-AAC punt returner J.J. Worton is back for his senior year. At PSU, coordinator Charles Huff has put an added emphasis special teams, but the Lions have much to prove after struggling last season in most facets of the kicking game. EDGE UCF SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWN When it was announced last year that this game would be played in Ireland, it was a novelty deal between Bill O'Brien and O'Leary, two men of Irish heritage who had known each other for decades. But O'Brien is now in the NFL, and his successor at Penn State, James Franklin, has expressed reservations about opening with an overseas game. O'Leary has had since last July to prepare for the trip; Franklin has had only eight months. EDGE UCF THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN O'Leary is a 19-year head coaching veteran who is entering his 11th season with UCF, while Franklin is entering his first season at Penn State and only his fourth as a head coach. However, Franklin and his energetic staff were successful in the SEC, winning nine games in both of their last two seasons at Vanderbilt. These two staffs are on opposite ends of the spectrum, but it's difficult to choose one over the other before the season begins. EDGE Even COACHING STAFF W H E N U C F H A S T H E B A L L PENN STATE RUNNING GAME VS. UCF RUN DEFENSE A U G U S T 2 8 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 3 UCF PASSING GAME 281.6 YPG, 13.6 YPC PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE 237.3 YPG, 14.6 YPC THE LOWDOWN With Blake Bortles now a Jacksonville Jaguar, UCF has a gaping void on offense. George O'Leary will turn to redshirt freshman Pete DiNovo to fill it. DiNovo won't be expected to immediately replace the production of Bortles, who threw for 288 yards vs. PSU last year, but the former three-star recruit is earning high praise al- ready. O'Leary recently said DiNovo is further developed than Bortles at this stage of their careers. DiNovo also has arguably the best receiver corps in the AAC with which to work, but PSU's secondary returns all four starters. They will be expected to keep the first-year QB in check. EDGE Penn State

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