Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/901348
O T H E R M A T C H U P S THE LOWDOWNNebraska has a decided edge at place kicker. Senior Drew Brown has converted 11 of 13 field goal at- tempts, with a long kick of 49 yards. But otherwise, the Nittany Lions have the upper hand here. Thompkins is the second-leading punt returner in the Big Ten with an average of 14.9 yards per attempt, while Barkley ranks third in the league with an average of 30.2 yards per kickoff return. Blake Gillikin averages 43.3 yards per punt, and Penn State's kickoff-coverage team ranks fourth in the Big Ten with a net average of 41.8 yards. The Lions have had some hiccups over the course of the season, but overall the kicking game has been a major asset. // EDGE Penn State SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWNNebraska has won its past four games against Penn State, including two games at Beaver Stadium. But the Nittany Lions have gone 13-0 at home since the start of the 2013 season and will be eager to extend that winning streak on Senior Day. // EDGEPenn State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN The speculation about Mike Riley's future in Lincoln began as soon as AD Shawn Eichorst was fired in September. It's unclear whether the Cornhuskers intend to make a change aAer giving Riley only three seasons, but a 54-21 loss to Minnesota didn't help his cause. At Penn State, Franklin has heard a bit of grumbling from fans aAer the Lions dropped back-to-back games against Ohio State and Michigan State, but he's gone 19-5 since the start of the 2016 season. That will buy a coach a lot of goodwill. // EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF N O V E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 5 of 30 passes for 192 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Nebraska has three superior wide receivers in J.D. Spielman (49 catches, 734 yards, two TDs), Stanley Morgan (47 catches, 727 yards, seven TDs) and De'Morney Pierson-El (38 catches, 520 yards, four TDs). Penn State ranks sixth in the Big Ten in pass defense, and its pass-effi- ciency defense rating of 107.9 ranks third. Cornerbacks Amani Oruwariye and Grant Haley lead the Lions with four and two interceptions, respectively. Penn State is fourth in the Big Ten with 29 sacks. // KEY MATCHUP Penn State has totaled only five sacks in its past three games. To control Nebraska's passing offense, the Lions will have to get pressure from their starting defensive ends. Lee has shown a tendency to throw interceptions, and if he isn't able to play, his replacement will be a freshman making his first start. // EDGE Even