Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/867779
O T H E R M A T C H U P S THE LOWDOWNExcept in the kickoff-return game, Penn State has a big advantage on special teams. The Nittany Lions have one of the top two kickers in the Big Ten in Tyler Davis, who converted 22 of 24 field goal attempts and all 62 of his PAT tries as a junior. In addition, Blake Gillikin is the top returning punter in the Big Ten after averaging a Penn State freshman-record 42.8 yards per attempt. Akron PK Tom O'Leary converted 10 of 11 field goal attempts and 39 of 42 extra points. Both Penn State and Akron need to improve their punt- and kickoff-re- turn units. // EDGE Penn State SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWN Penn State's all-time record against Akron is 5-0, with the most recent game coming in 2014. Penn State won that game, 21-3, at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions have gone 16-5 at home in three seasons under James Franklin, including a 7-0 finish last year. In addition, Penn State is 9-2 in nonconference games under Franklin. // EDGEPenn State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Entering his sixth season, Terry Bowden has done a credible job at Akron. He's posted a 24-37 record and led the Zips to a bowl game in 2015. But Franklin and his staff are on a roll aDer posting an 11-3 record in 2016. The Nittany Lions are rated sixth in the Associated Press poll, their first preseason top-10 ranking since the 2009 campaign. // EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF A U G U S T 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 5 Oklahoma A&M. The Zips' top three returning receivers are Austin Wolf (36 catches for 550 yards last year), A.J. Coney (15 catches, 173 yards) and Kwadarrius Smith (six catches, 147 yards). Penn State finished 11th in the Big Ten in pass defense and must replace starting defensive ends Garrett Sickles and Evan Schwan. The team's top re- turning pass rushers are DT Kevin Givens (4.5 sacks in 2016), DE Ryan Buchholz and Sam OLB Koa Farmer (three sacks apiece). Penn State totaled only 10 interceptions as a team, with MLB Brandon Smith supplying a team-best two. // KEY MATCHUP Penn State's new starting defensive ends are Shareef Miller and Torrence Brown. They'll face Akron offensive tackles Jovann Letuli and Trevor Brown. Penn State must find a way to put pressure on Woodson. // EDGE Penn State