Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/881846
GAME GRADES QUARTERBACK Trace McSorley fin- ished the day 23 for 36 with 315 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Statistically, it was a pretty solid day – he had a 150.2 QB rating – but McSor- ley also missed multiple throws. It did- n't help that he was consistently pressured throughout the game, but it could have been an outstanding game if he had connected on a few of those misses. GRADEB RUNNING BACKIt wasn't the best of days for Barkley on the ground – 20 car- ries, 56 yards, 0 TDs, 2.8 YPC – but that was hardly his fault, as Indiana's front four got the best of PSU's offensive line. However, he also added 51 yards receiv- ing on four receptions and threw a touchdown pass late in the game. Oh, and that kick return to start the game was pretty special, too. GRADEA RECEIVERDaeSean Hamilton had ar- guably the best game of his career, to- taling nine receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Juwan John- son, DeAndre Thompkins and Mike Gesicki all had multiple receptions. Indiana currently has the worst pass defense in the Big Ten, so PSU's re- ceivers were expected to produce, and they did just that. GRADEA OFFENSIVE LINEMcSorley was sacked four times in the first half. The Hoosiers only had one additional sack in the second half, but that was mainly because McSorley was quick to leave the pocket. Indiana also totaled 11 tack- les for loss and held the Lions to just 39 yards rushing (1.1 YPC). It's clear that this unit has to improve and improve quickly. Michigan comes to town in just three weeks. GRADEC- DEFENSIVE LINEAfter an excellent performance last Saturday, the defen- sive line was quiet against the Hoosiers, as PSU's front four only had one tackle for loss the entire game. Parker Cothren and Shareef Miller led the way with four tackles each. Indiana also racked up 177 yards rushing on the day. GRADEB- LINEBACKERSJason Cabinda led the defense with 14 tackles. Manny Bowen added eight, while Brandon Smith had seven. This unit is better suited to stopping the run than covering passes, but the linebackers did a solid job keeping Indiana's receivers in front of them. GRADEB+ DEFENSIVE BACKSIndiana came into this game averaging 267 yards passing, and the Nittany Lions held Richard Lagow and Peyton Ramsey to just 175 yards on the day. Amani Oruwariye also recorded an interception, while Marcus Allen forced a fumble. GRADEB SPECIAL TEAMSBarkley opened the game with a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown. The coverage units were also excellent, most notably Irvin Charles, as he made multiple big plays, including a forced fumble that Nick Scott turned into a touchdown. How- ever, Tyler Davis missed a 21-yard field goal, then had his third attempt blocked in the fourth quarter. Give him credit for making a 45-yard kick after missing the chip shot, but this unit would have had an A if not for the field goal unit's mistakes. GRADEB COACHESFor Joe Moorhead standards, the play-calling was average on the day. Overall, the defense did a good job limit- ing Indiana's passing game to its lowest total of the season. GRADEB CROWDPenn State had a packed house again, as the announced atten- dance was 107,542. GRADEA S E P T E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 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 Sizing up the Nittany Lions' performance in their victory over Indiana Hamilton was the Lions' most reli- able offensive threat against In- diana, catching nine passes for 122 yards and three touch- downs. Photo by Steve Manuel