Blue White Illustrated

GAME GRADES QUARTERBACK Statistically, it was- n't the best night for Trace McSorley, but it's fair to note that the weather im- pacted a few of those errant passes. But when it mattered most, McSorley com- pleted some big throws. He's also shown steady improvement at reading the defensive end while running the read-option. GRADE B+ RUNNING BACK Following his break- out performance against the Buckeyes last season, it was clear right from the start that Ohio State was keying on Saquon Barkley. For the most part, it was tough to get much going, but he managed to bust open a few solid runs throughout the game. GRADE A RECEIVER DaeSean Hamilton, Chris Godwin and Saeed Blacknall all made key plays at key moments. Separation continues to be an issue, but give them credit for coming down with some big receptions. GRADE B OFFENSIVE LINE This unit contin- ues to improve week in, week out. For the first time in a long time, I saw the Nittany Lions push around an elite op- ponent. There's still room for improve- ment, but they have to get an A this week. GRADE A DEFENSIVE LINE The Buckeyes came into this game averaging 49 points per game and 300 yards rush- ing. Considering the opponent, the entire defensive unit played great, but it was the defensive front that im- pressed the most. Big props to Garrett Sickels. GRADE A LINEBACKER Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell played great in their re- turn to action, racking up 31 combined tackles. The entire unit did an excellent job filling up Ohio State's rushing lanes. GRADE A DEFENSIVE BACK Ohio State has some excellent athletes, yet Penn State's defensive backs stayed with them stride for stride. John Reid con- tinues to prove that he's one of the Big Ten's top young defensive backs, while Marcus Allen and Malik Golden were once again excellent in stopping the run. GRADE A SPECIAL TEAMS If you would have asked me to grade the special teams in the first half, I would have been leaning toward an F. What a difference 30 min- utes can make, as Haley, Allen and Cam Brown came up with the biggest plays of the game. GRADE A COACHING It wasn't easy to move the ball at times, but overall, Joe Moor- head's play-calling was fine. Big props to Brent Pry and the rest of the defen- sive staff, as they managed to bring the pressure at key times in the second half. GRADE A CROWD Despite the rainy, windy weather, Penn State's season-ticket holders showed up strong on Saturday night. While it wasn't the best of show- ings from the students, the crowd played a major role at the end of the game. They also forced a few false starts throughout. GRADE A O c T O B E R 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 6 R y A N S N y D E R | B L U E W H I T E I L L U s T R A T E d Penn State welcomed more than 150 high school prospects for Saturday night's showdown against Ohio State. The group was highlighted by six offi- cial visitors, three of whom have already committed to the Nittany Lions: line- backer Brelin Faison-Walden of Greens- boro, N.C., linebacker Brailyn Franklin of Haymarket, Va., and defensive end Yetur Matos of Fredericksburg, Va. Fai- son-Walden recently took unofficial visits to Michigan, North Carolina State and Georgia but remains committed to Penn State. Both Franklin and Matos are firmly committed. Wide receiver Jaylen Harris of Cleve- land Heights, Ohio, running back An- thony McFarland of Hyattsville, Md., and defensive lineman Olalere Oladipo of Huntley, Ill., were the other three prospects who took official visits. Oladipo had previously visited Penn State in July for the Lasch Bash barbe- cue. He committed to Illinois in August but has remained in contact with the Nittany Lion coaching staff. The Lions appear to be long shots to land either McFarland or Harris. Of the senior prospects who were mak- ing unofficial visits, the most notable was defensive back Tariq Castro-Fields of Upper Marlboro, Md. Maryland is be- lieved to be Penn State's top competitor for Castro-Fields, but he is planning to take an official visit to Alabama before the end of the season. The coaching staff was hoping to also host five-star safety Lamont Wade, but he wasn't able to make the trip. However, Wade will be in University Park in two weeks for his offi- cial visit when the Lions host Iowa. The Class of 2018 made up the major- ity of talent in attendance, as Blue White Illustrated confirmed nearly 20 high school juniors who made the trip and have already landed verbal scholar- ship offers from the coaching staff. Wide receiver Shaquon Anderson-Butts of Harrisburg, Pa., linebacker Dallas Gant of Toledo, Ohio, defensive end John Morgan of Hyattsville, Md., and running back Ricky Slade of Wood- bridge, Va., are a few players with whom fans should already be familiar, but the staff also hosted a few elite prospects for the first time. Athlete L'Christian Smith was one of those players. The Huber Heights, Ohio, native is ranked No. 33 overall in the na- tion by Rivals.com. Defensive back Christian Tutt of Thomson, Ga., also made the trip. Defensive backs coach Terry Smith extended a scholarship offer to Tutt this past summer and followed up with a visit to his school during the bye week. –R.S. R E C R U I T I N G PSU hosts large contingent of prospects in big recruiting weekend

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