Blue White Illustrated

GAME GRADES QUARTERBACKTrace McSorley had one of the best games in Penn State his- tory, completing 22 of 31 attempts for four touchdowns and 384 yards. He threw four touchdowns, no intercep- tions and had a quarterback rating of 217.6. Oh, and he also broke the single- season record for yards (3,271 by Matt McGloin in 2012) and touchdowns (24 by both Daryll Clark and Matt McGloin), as well as throwing for the most yards in the Big Ten Championship Game. I don't think you can find a better per- formance by a Penn State quarterback. I sure can't think of any. GRADEA RUNNING BACKBarkley came into the game with an ankle injury and it wasn't feeling any better following his first run of the game. However, he fought through it and still managed to average 4.4 yards per carry against one of the nation's top defenses. That 18- yard wheel route for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was perfectly exe- cuted. GRADEA RECEIVERFive receivers had at least two receptions, but the day belonged to Saeed Blacknall, who totaled 155 yards on six receptions and scored two touchdowns. DasSean Hamilton also caught all eight of the passes on which he was targeted, finishing with 118 yards, many of which came in key situ- ations. GRADEA OFFENSIVE LINEThe first half wasn't pretty, so if you think this group de- serves less than an A, I understand where you're coming from. However, I also saw a group of backups make key adjustments in the second half. They provided McSorley with plenty of time to complete one deep throw after an- other in the third quarter. That's all that really mattered when it was all said and done. GRADEA DEFENSIVE LINEThe Badgers had 164 rushing yards in the first half, but the defensive line stepped up after the break, holding Corey Clement and the Wisconsin offense to just 77 yards rushing in the second half. They also sacked Bart Houston twice and had five tackles for loss in the third and fourth quarters. Big props to Curtis Cothran, as three of his five tackles were for a loss of yards. GRADEA LINEBACKERThey've played well in big games all season, and Saturday was no different, as Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell combined for 21 tackles. Bell was a monster in the second half, totaling seven solo tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack that surely reminded some fans of the LaVar Leap. GRADEA DEFENSIVE BACKThe defensive backs provided solid run support throughout the second half. Marcus Allen's big hit on Corey Clement the end of the fourth quarter was crucial, as it caused a turnover on downs. As a unit, Penn State held Wisconsin to just 174 yards passing. GRADEA COACHINGOnce again, Brent Pry and Joe Moorhead made some key adjust- ments that changed the game in the second half. Even in the first half, the game plan was fine. The Lions' diffi- culties had more to do with execution than anything. GRADEA D E c E M B E R 4 , 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 | S N Y D E R 4 2 0 8 8 @ G M A I L . c O M Hamilton came down with this catch in traffic, one of eight on the night for the redshirt junior. He finished with 118 yards. Photo by Steve Manuel

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