STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (AP) – Penn State and Maryland have a long and one-sided history. Terrapins would probably like to know the maximum of recent meetings.
The Nittany Lions have won 40 of 43 games in the series and the last 3 with a combined score of 163-6. This time, Penn State only needs a 0-3 to start for the first time since 2001 when groups face off on Saturday. at Beaver Stadium.
“The last thing you have to do is be predictable in front of a talented opponent,” Penn State coach James Franklin said.
But that’s what he thinks happened in the first two games when Penn State was constantly fighting to execute the ball and didn’t involve a couple of sneaky quarterbacks. The Nittany Lions will now face Taulia Tagovailoa, who has just won one of the most productive performances of a Maryland quarterback.
Tagovailoa finished 74% of his passes for 394 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception in Maryland’s victory over Minnesota last week. Terps still had to go from a 17-point deficit in the part of the moment and force overtime.
Maryland coach Michael Locksley knows his team will want more than a shred of flavor to hold on to Penn State.
“I know you’ve had a couple of tough games in the last few weeks, but I know you’re a well-trained team and I think we’re going to get the most productive out of ourselves, especially at home. “Locksley said.
So far, Penn State players don’t feel like they’ve been driven in the best way. The defense was unable to deter Justin Fields from Ohio State a week ago and the first seven have been preparing all week to put pressure on Tagovailoa.
“They are two wonderful quarterbacks who can do it from the air and with their feet,” PJ Mustipher’s defensive version said. “We have to be to prevent them. “
OPEN HOLES
Seeing last week’s game movie, Franklin saw that Ohio State’s quick defense was able to bet even as Penn State’s offensive line opened holes.
“In fact, we had blocked things and we had a taxiway and a guy ran out into the field, put his foot on the ground, we would sink and get into the hole to win one or two,” Franklin said.
Mixing Caziah Holmes and Keyvone Lee to cast a spell on running back Devyn Ford will be a priority. Neither of the two first-year scholars had opposed the Buckeyes.
HELP TO COME?
With the exception of Jahan Dotson, whose eight receptions for 144 yards and three touchdowns marked Penn State last week, the Nittany Lions did not defeat quarterback Sean Clifford much.
They are healthier at the catcher and expect Cam Sullivan-Brown and TJ Jones to be available for the first time this season.
Sullivan-Brown brings a veteran presence to the perimeter and the team believes Jones can be a major threat. Meanwhile, freshmans Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith earned places on the intensity chart this week.
KNOW YOUR ROLE
Maryland’s defense allowed 87 problems in two games, but he did so when he scored to keep Minnesota goalless in the last quarter.
This prepared the Terps for overtime.
“We had a lot of boys at the end of the game. We knew we had to give our offensive a try,” said supporter Jordan Mosley.
Maryland ceded 262 yards on the court against Minnesota after dropping 325 to Northwestern.
SECOND CHANCE
If the game is reduced to a last-second kick, either group has a chance.
Joseph Petrino of Maryland scored a 51-yard goal against Minnesota in the first half, however, he pitched for 51 yards in the last quarter and finished what turned out to be the winning conversion in overtime.
Jordan Stout of Penn State is the team’s first-time kicker, with a 57-yard, 50-yard long-box purpose last week.
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David Ginsburg, editor of AP Sports, contributed to the report.
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