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KEY MATCHUPS P E N N   S T A T E   V S .   R U T G E R S | BY PHIL GROSZ 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 81.5 YPG, 2.8 YPC RUTGERS RUN DEFENSE 132.5 YPG, 4.6 YPC THE LOWDOWN In the first two games Penn State's running game has been all but non-existent. Look for Akeel Lynch to see more carries as he has totaled more yards per carry (6.5) than any one else on the team. The strength of Rutgers' defense is its front seven, led by LB Steve Longa and LB Kevin Snyder. Longa is the team's leading tackler with 15 and led Rutgers last year with 123 tackles. He has all-Big Ten potential. Rutgers' defensive line is led by DT Darius Hamilton. The one interesting aspect of Rutgers' defensive line is the fact that it averages just under 260 pounds per man. On average, Penn State's offensive line weighs 50 more pounds per man. EDGE Rutgers PENN STATE PASSING GAME 386.5 YPG, 14.3 YPC RUTGERS PASS DEFENSE 350.0 YPG, 13.0 YPC THE LOWDOWN It might seem over simplistic on Penn State's part, but realistically Christian Hackenberg could throw for more than 300 yards again. The Scarlet Knights have the worst pass defense in the Big Ten and are allowing 350 yards passing per game. Starting cornerbackss Gareef Glashen and Anthony Cioffi will have trouble matching up with Penn State's staring receivers. Plus, Jesse James will create serious matchup problems for Rutgers' safeties. DaeSean Hamilton, Geno Lewis and James have combined for 41 receptions, 622 yards and three touchdowns in the first two games of the season. The key matchup here is Rutgers' CBs against Hamilton and Lewis EDGE Penn State PENN STATE PASSING GAME VS. RUTGERS PASS DEFENSE RUTGERS RUNNING GAME 162.0 YPG, 4.0 YPC PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE 46.5 YPG, 1.7 YPC THE LOWDOWN Rutgers ran the football very effectively in the opening two games. While RB Paul James, a former walk- on, is the leading rusher with 216 yards and a quality Big Ten back, RB Desmon Peoples gives the Scarlet Knights a change of pace in the backfield. He's more of a scat-back with top-end speed. Rutgers, despite James' and Peoples' success this fall, will have a difficult time matching its rushing numbers from its first two games. Penn State has been dominant against the run so far this season. However, all five starters on Rutgers' offensive line return, which is perhaps the most experienced aspect of its offense. EDGE Penn State RUTGERS RUNNING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE RUTGERS PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE THE LOWDOWN This is an area in which Penn State could have an advantage. K Sam Ficken converted all four of his field goal attempts in the opener against UCF, and P Chris Gulla is averaging 47.5 yards per punt through two games. Additionally, CB Grant Haley is putting up some of the best kick return numbers in the Big Ten. Haley has returned five kickoffs for an average of 27.5 yards. EDGE Penn State SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWN The emotions that both teams will be feeling for this football game will be interesting to watch. This is Rutgers' first Big Ten game and it might be the most anticipated matchup on the Scarlet Knights' 2014 schedule, which is the toughest in the Big Ten. Penn State will be sky high with its NCAA sanctions removed. It should be an electric atmosphere. EDGE Rutgers THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood has taken a lot of heat due to James Franklin's recruiting success in New Jersey, so this is a grudge match of sorts for Flood. Flood is hoping Friedgen will help turn around Rutgers' incon- sistent quarterback play. Franklin and his staff have been on fire in recruiting and have put the Penn State program ahead of schedule for its return to elite status. EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF W H E N R U T G E R S H A S T H E B A L L PENN STATE RUNNING GAME VS. RUTGERS RUN DEFENSE S E P T E M B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 3 RUTGERS PASSING GAME 284.5 YPG, 17.8 YPC PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE 215.0 YPG, 11.9 YPC THE LOWDOWN QB Gary Nova was up and down in 2013, throwing for 18 TDs, but also 14 picks. In the first two games, however, Nova has blossomed under new offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen. So far, Nova has a pass efficiency rating of 208.9 and has thrown six TDs to just one interception. WR Leonte Carroo is Rutgers' leading receiver with a gaudy 24.4 YPC average. WR Janarion Grant has 4.4-second 40-yard speed. Potential all-Big Ten TE Tyler Kroft has just two catches for five yards, but can't be overlooked. The key matchup here is Penn State's defensive line vs. Nova. He still has a tendency to make mistakes when he's under pressure. EDGE Penn State

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