Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/895642
N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 3 game-wrecking potential. Earlier this week, when a reporter described him as the modern-day equivalent of former Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers, Danto- nio agreed, saying, "That's a very good analogy for those of us that remember Gale Sayers. Big, electrifying guy, great [at breaking] tackles. Laterally, very quick, cutback runner, spin runner. Ef- fective player, great player." But the player who might hold the key to Penn State's performance is quarterback Trace McSorley. A year ago, McSorley en- joyed a spectacular game against Michigan State, throwing for 376 yards and four touchdowns in the Nittany Lions' 45-12 victory. He's been effective this season, too, ranking third in the Big Ten with an av- erage of 258.9 passing yards per game and a 16-5 touchdown-interception ratio de- spite often having to navigate a collapsing pocket. He's also the Nittany Lions' sec- ond-leading rusher with 303 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground The run-pass threat that McSorley poses could make him especially dangerous on Saturday. So far this season, the only op- ponent that was able to keep Michigan State's defense on its heels was Notre Dame. The Irish finished with 355 yards of total offense in a 38-18 victory in Septem- ber, and their success was predicated on the versatile play of quarterback Brandon Wimbush. In addition to throwing for 173 yards, Wimbush was Notre Dame's sec- ond-leading rusher with 52 yards on eight carries. The Lions may be shorthanded on their offensive line this weekend, as starting left tackle Ryan Bates got hurt in the fourth quarter against Ohio State and wasn't able to finish the game. He's still listed as the starter in this week's depth chart, but that's not a clear indication of whether he will be available, and James Franklin isn't com- menting. Even with Bates' availability uncertain, and with the defensive line also likely to be shorthanded following sophomore end Ryan Buchholz's injury early in the Ohio State game, Penn State is an 8½-point fa- vorite to bounce back against the Spartans. But Dantonio isn't worried about that as he preps his team for one of the biggest games of its season, nor is he worried that his players will be dwelling on the rally they weren't able to pull off last Saturday in Evanston. "I think it's important that we all play our best game when our best game is de- manded of us," he said. "We get ourselves ready for that. I'm constantly asking our players if they're ready to play. Have you done everything that you can possibly do throughout the week to get yourself ready to play? Emotionally, physically, men- tally? "Everybody in our program has to bring value. You can't stand around and watch in practice. You have to bring value. I just think we sort of feed off each other. We've seen the results. Be positive [so] that we can have a positive vibe about what we've got to do. "I don't think there's any [doubt] that this is another challenge. They have a good football team. But I think it's exciting to play at home. We'll get up."