Redshirt sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley said Peppers was an “athletic” and “tremendous football player”.
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The Nittany Lions mantra has always been “next man up”, and while these injuries certainly hurt, Penn State has reserves that have shown ability and promise when given their chance.
Last season, MI beat Penn State on the road 28-16.
That was the biggest criticism of the Wolverines coming into this game, and they definitely proved a point. With a fourth and 5 at the MI 42, the coach elected to go for the first down, but an inside screen to DeAndre Thompkins was smelled out by the Wolverines for a 4-yard loss.
Franklin pointed out that a significant portion of the 159 points MI scored in its three games were courtesy of the defense and special teams.
In past years, Penn State’s defense has been good enough to keep them in just about any game, but the 2016 version is paper thin everywhere and especially at linebacker where all three opening day starters are out.
In fact, Penn State’s first defensive stop of the day came on a dropped pass by Michigan’s Jehu Chesson on fourth-and-2. No team in the Big Ten is worse at converting 3rd downs than Penn State (27.3 percent efficient).
Penn State probably can’t afford even one mistake of that magnitude this weekend.
After another fourth down conversion and a Wilton Speight scramble powered the Wolverines to a 14-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Karan Higdon. McSorley has targeted Godwin on a third of his throws so far, with Hamilton and skilled tight end Mike Gesicki also busy. MI is expecting the return of all-conference cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
First and foremost, the Nittany Lions’ alarming issues with ball security will have to vanish completely. Torrence Brown, typically on the second defensive rotation and perhaps the fastest defensive linemen on Penn State’s squad, could also see time opposite Schwan. The Wolverines returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Colorado, blocked a punt for a score against Colorado, then Peppers returned a punt 54 yards for another touchdown against the Buffaloes. He’s enthusiastic. You know, once he gets going, he just feeds off of that.
Chris Evans and De’Veon Smith lead the rushing attack for MI in 2016, with Evans at 21 carries for 157 yards and 2 TDs, and Smith at 27 carries for 152 yards and 1 TD. Without a few upsets, it looks like Penn State is headed for another mediocre finish. Franklin said what happens before third down is the key factor.
Lady luck needs to smile on Penn State to pull off this win.
Penn State started the second half scoring off of a Wisconsin own goal. Penn State is already without fellow starters Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda who, while they have not been announced as out, appear to be unlikely to play against MI after missing last week.
Penn State will need those fundamentals to be crisp to slow the Wolverines.
Jim Harbaugh is delivering as expected.
“That’s 11 or 12 (positions) right there, and I know there are others he can do and do well”, Harbaugh raved.
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There have been cracks, though, that have led the MI faithful to believe the top-five ranking and dominant start against weaker competition is too good to really be true.
