Blue White Illustrated

GAME GRADES QUARTERBACKTrace McSorley com- pleted fewer than 50 percent of his passes in the first half, misfiring on a few. The wind and wintry mix certainly didn't help, as McSorley has had better games through the air. But let's give credit where credit is due for keeping the offense moving forward in spite of challenges, and for evading sacks along the way. McSorley ended the day with 17 completions on 33 attempts for 210 yards and a TD. He also rushed for 55 yards, while backup Tommy Stevens gained 61 on the ground and a TD in mop-up duty. GRADEB+ RUNNING BACKSaquon Barkley pro- vided just enough of a boost, rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown on 16 at- tempts. He left the game early in the third quarter and was checked on the sideline for concussion symptoms. In relief, Miles Sanders broke free on a 57- yard, run while Mark Allen turned a swing pass into a 27-yard TD. GRADEA RECEIVER The weather might have had the biggest effect on this unit. It wasn't a bad night, but not the most productive either, at least with the ball. Downfield blocking and the contribu- tions on special teams earn the re- ceivers extra points for effort. GRADEB OFFENSIVE LINE This unit wasn't per- fect, especially in the first half, but con- sidering that it was down a few starters yet still eclipsed 330 yards rushing and 549 total while surrendering zero sacks, it's hard to nitpick. GRADEB+ DEFENSIVE LINE Evan Schwan was disruptive all night and was rewarded for it with a strip-sack to begin the fourth quarter. Parker Cothren, mean- while, was second on the team with four tackles in a stout group effort that held Rutgers to just 41 total rushing yards. GRADEA+ LINEBACKERS Brandon Bell added a strip-sack for the second consecutive game, this time leading to Penn State's second scoring drive of the game. Bell led the team with five tackles, while Jason Cabinda had three, along with two key pass breakups. Rutgers con- verted only two first downs all night and totaled just 87 yards. It's the fewest yards PSU has given up in a Big Ten game. GRADEA+ DEFENSIVE BACK This position was only tested 16 times and it gave up just 48 yards and seven completions. No matter how much the wind helped their cause, the DBs had a great night – not only in pass defense but also in run support. GRADEA+ SPECIAL TEAMS Tyler Davis con- verted a career-high four field goals, while Juwan Johnson's punt block might have been the turning point in the game after a slow first half from Penn State. PSU survived an early error after Sanders muffed the opening kick- off. GRADEA- COACHING Saturday's slow start was a combination of a road game and the weather's effect on it, not necessarily a lack of preparation. Due to a few red zone mishaps, Penn State's total yard advantage of 216-66 at halftime trans- lated into only a 9-0 lead. The offense fixed it up after halftime, while the de- fense clamped down even harder over the final 30 minutes. GRADEA N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 6 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 6 T i M o w E N | O W E N . T I M . B W I @ G M A I L . c O M Barkley finished with a game-high 92 yards even though he sat out much of the second half as a precau- tionary measure after absorbing a blow to the head. Franklin said after the game that he could have contin- ued playing. Photo by Steve Manuel

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