Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/83550
KEY MATChuPS P E N N S TAT E V S . T EMP L E | B Y E R I C T H O M A S W H E N P E N N S T A T E H A S T H E B A L L PENN STATE RUNNING GAME VS. TEMPLE RUN DEFENSE PENN STATE PASSING GAME VS. TEMPLE PASS DEFENSE PENN STATE RUNNING GAME 107.7 YPG, 3.5 YPC TEMPLE RUN DEFENSE 178.0 YPG, 3.9 YPC THE LOWDOWNWe aren't sure if starter Bill Belton or backup Derek Day will be available against the Owls. If not, Penn State proved against Navy that it can use guys like Curtis Dukes and others to get enough from the running attack. Still, the rushing game for the Nittany Lions needs to quickly im- prove. Temple could use a guy like Adrian Robinson for its defense, which leaves a lot to be desired. Even in defeating Villanova in its opener, Temple gave up 212 yards on the ground. A depleted Penn State rushing attack should still find some success here. EDGE Penn State PENN STATE PASSING GAME 233.3 YPG, 11.5 YPC TEMPLE PASS DEFENSE 171.5 YPG, 15.6 YPC THE LOWDOWN Does Allen Robinson see double coverage this game? If he does, what other wide receivers step up for Matt McGloin. Speaking of McGloin, he looks sharp through three games and he's making better decisions. Each week it's looked like he grasps the Bill O'Brien offense better. Does Paul Jones make an impact at tight end if his number is called? Temple's secondary is decent. The Owls have de- flected eight passes in two games, but they start sophomore Anthony Robey at one corner. If McGloin sees him, he'll test him early. EDGE Penn State W H E N T E M P L E H A S T H E B A L L TEMPLE RUNNING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE TEMPLE PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE TEMPLE RUNNING GAME 176.5 YPG, 4.1 YPC PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE 150.7 YPG, 3.4 YPC THE LOWDOWN How one-dimensional has Temple's offense been this season? Third-string running back Kenny Harper has almost as many rushes (11) as starting quarterback Chris Coyer has completions (12). The availability of backup Montel Harris is in question, but Matt Brown has done a decent job this season of shouldering the load. Harris is suffering from a hamstring injury. If there is a defensive trio in the Big Ten better than Michael Mauti, Gerald Hodges and Glenn Carson right now, please feel free to reveal yourself. EDGE Penn State TEMPLE PASSING GAME 119.5 YPG, 19.9 YPC PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE 237.7 YPG, 10.6 YPC THE LOWDOWN See above. Temple has passed the ball just 25.2 percent of the time through its first two games, meaning Coyer has only attempted 29 passes. He's completed 41.4 percent with three touch- downs and a long of 62 yards. He's also thrown an interception. Though receiver Jalen Fitzpatrick, a Harrisburg native, is averaging almost 25 yards per catch, he has only four receptions. Penn State's secondary has struggled at times this season, but other than a few threats, it should be a quiet day for Adrian Amos and company. EDGE Penn State O T H E R M A T C H U P S SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWN Sam Ficken missed an extra point last week, but this is shaping up to be a game in which he should get more kicks and a chance to improve on accuracy. Penn State's return game needs a se- rious lift. Alex Kenney needs to be the option on both punt and kick returns. Temple's return game is led by Brown, who is the top return man for both punts and kicks. EDGEEven THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Penn State has shown a knack this season for starting strong and then tailing off. It is outscoring opponents 41-6 in the first half, yet sits at 1-2. Why? Because it has been clipped 42-23 in the second half. Temple has played the Nittany Lions tough in recent years. The Owls need a lot to bounce their way for that trend to continue. EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF THE LOWDOWN After finally getting win No. 1 in his career, O'Brien should be feeling loose. What does that mean for his play calling? That is to be determined, but his comfort level should be at a whole differ- ent level. Steve Addazio is 10-5 in two seasons, but this season is not shaping up like last year's. He could use a big win right about now. EDGEEven S E P T E M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 2 3 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M