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O T H E R M A T C H U P S THE LOWDOWNThe big advantage here goes to Georgia. The Bulldogs have two of the best punt returners in the SEC in sophomore Isaiah McKenzie (12.1 yards per attempt) and junior Reggie Davis (13.8 ypa). Georgia uses two pun- ters, one of whom is backup QB Brice Ramsey, who averages 42.2 yards per attempt. Senior PK Marshall Morgan has converted 17 of 24 field goal attempts, with his longest being 47 yards. Penn State's punt- and kickoff-return units have struggled throughout the season, and P Daniel Pasquariello has averaged only 40.3 yards per attempt. Kickers Joey Julius and Tyler Davis have converted 17 of 19 field goal attempts, but that excellent success rate is partly a reflection of the team's red zone issues on offense. Julius and Davis have kicked a lot of short field goals this year. // EDGEGeorgia SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWNPenn State and Georgia have met just one time previously, and it was a rather consequential game. The Nittany Lions defeated the Bulldogs, 27-23, in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 1983, claiming the program's first na- tional title. // EDGEPenn State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Penn State has an interim offensive coordinator in Ricky Rahne, but Georgia is in the midst of an even bigger coaching transition. After 15 seasons in Athens, Mark Richt was dismissed and was subsequently hired by Miami (Fla.). Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will be Richt's successor, but he won't take over as head coach until after the Crimson Tide finish their season. Receivers coach Bryan McClendon is the Bulldogs' interim head coach. At Penn State, James Franklin is looking to win his second postseason game in as many tries. Overall, he has a 3-1 bowl record. // EDGEPenn State COACHING STAFF D E C E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 5 Georgia's passing game has struggled at times, averaging just 130.6 yards vs. Alabama and Florida. Senior WR Mal- colm Mitchell is the Bulldogs' leading pass-catcher, with 53 receptions for 751 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman WR Terry Godwin is the team's second-leading receiver with 31 catches for 345 yards, while Michel came out of the backfield to catch 25 passes for 270 yards during the regular season. Michel also has Georgia's longest reception of the year, a 48-yarder. Penn State is third in the Big Ten in pass defense, thanks in part to CBs John Reid and Grant Haley, both of whom have two interceptions. Penn State's defensive backs have benefitted from the pressure that the front line has been able to generate. The Nittany Lions lead the country with 44 sacks. // KEY MATCHUP Nassib is set to face Theus, while Haley will do battle with Mitchell. // EDGEPenn State

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