Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/582628
O T H E R M A T C H U P S THE LOWDOWNIndiana is third in the Big Ten in punt-return average thanks to Mitchell Page, who averages an im- pressive 17.4 yards per attempt. Freshman Devonte Williams averages 20.4 yards on kickoff returns, senior Erich Toth averages 41 yards per punt, and redshirt sophomore Griffin Oakes has converted 9 of 10 field goal attempts, with his longest being 45 yards. As for Penn State, redshirt freshmen DeAndre Thompkins and Koa Farmer are aver- aging 11.1 yards and 24 yards on punt and kickoff returns, respectively. Redshirt sophomore Chris Gulla is averaging 38.8 yards per punt and Redshirt freshman Joey Julius has been very effective, hitting 8 of 9 field goal attempts, with his longest being 40 yards. But punters Gulla and Daniel Pasquariello have been erratic. // EDGEIndiana SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWNPenn State is 68-22-5 in Homecoming games, and it has dominated its series against Indiana, amassing a 17-1 all-time record. But it hasn't fared so well lately. Indiana ran away from the Nittany Lions, 44-24, two years ago in Bloomington for its first series victory, and while the Lions avenged that loss last season, it was hardly a convincing win. Penn State prevailed, 13-7, over the host Hoosiers, thanks mainly to a stingy defensive performance and a 92-yard touchdown run by Bill Belton. // EDGEPenn State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN The Hoosiers are coming off a heartbreaking 34-27 loss to Ohio State. It's hard to say how they will respond to that disappointment, but this is a big road game, and Kevin Wilson will do everything in his power to ensure that his team is focused solely on Penn State. As for James Franklin and his staff, they want to prove the Lions' lackluster performance against Army was not a sign of things to come. // EDGEPenn State COACHING STAFF O C T O B E R 7 , 2 0 1 5 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 5 98 yards on seven carries. If Sudfeld isn't ready to return against Penn State, the Lions will face Diamont for the sec- ond year in a row. They held him to 68 yards passing last season and intercepted him twice, but he's much more expe- rienced than he was a year ago and will pose a much more formidable challenge. Redshirt junior Ricky Jones and sophomore Simmie Cobbs are the Hoosiers' top receivers with 21 catches apiece. In addition, Howard is a solid re- ceiver coming out of the backfield with eight catches for 84 yards. Indiana's offensive line has allowed a league-low three sacks. Penn State's defense is fifth in the Big Ten vs. the pass and it leads the league in sacks with 21. Nassib is second in the Big Ten with eight sacks for 61 yards. The disappointing statistic here is that Penn State ranks last in the Big Ten with just three intercptions. // KEY MATCHUP Indiana RT Dimitric Camiel will be looking to keep Nassib out of the backfield, while Jones will be doing battle with sophomore CB Grant Haley. // EDGEPenn State