Penn State Football: Keys to the Game vs Maryland

After an exciting win last weekend, Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium to take on the Maryland Terrapins.

The Homecoming matchup could prove pivotal in the Lions attempt to reach bowl eligibility. See what the Nittany Lions need to do to come away with a victory before their bye week.

Game Keys:

#1. Third Down Conversions:

Penn State currently ranks 127th out of 128 FBS schools in third down conversion rate. Sandwiched between Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State, Penn State finds itself a paltry 15-of-60 (25percent). There is no question that this stat must improve if the Nittany Lions wants to entertain any thoughts of beating teams like Iowa and Michigan State, let alone an undefeated Maryland squad.

First, Penn State needs to keep the third down distance short. Against Minnesota, by my count, the Lions faced 12 third down opportunities of six yards or longer. They converted three times, including a touchdown.

Too many times Penn State finds itself in obvious throwing situations. The defenses know this and they either drop into coverage to take away the crossing patterns underneath or they send the house. Protecting quarterback Trace McSorley has been difficult for the offensive line when defenses bring full house blitzes.

On Saturday the weather may potentially be a factor. So, look for Penn State to find a way to get tight end Mike Gesicki and slot receiver DaeSean Hamilton more involved. Undoubtedly the Lions will need to find unique ways to get Saquon Barkley the ball. As Penn State anticipates a blitz, the Lions need to swing passes out to Barkley in space. The Nittany Lions will surely take shots deep, especially with the return of wide receiver Saeed Blacknall and the emergence of deep threat DeAndre Thompkins, but to move the chains, Penn State needs to find ways to be successful with the throws of 15 yards or less.

#2. The Perry Hills have Eyes

OK, maybe the movie pun was not the greatest, but Penn State may want to keep their eyes on Maryland quarterback Perry Hills. He will more than likely be the X-factor in the Maryland offense. His ability to make things happen and keep plays alive with his legs has been a huge reason for Maryland’s current success.

Maryland ranks next to last in the Big Ten in passing offense, averaging a scant 166 yards per game. Maryland’s strength is certainly running the football. They are second in the Big Ten and sixth nationally in rushing offense, averaging 300 yards per game. The Terps also lead the Big Ten in rushing plays of 10 yards or more (45).

Last week, freshman Ty Johnson was the focal point of the Maryland rushing attack. He posted 204 yards rushing on just seven carries, but it was Hills who lead the Terps with 10 carries. Each of the past two weeks Hills has posted at least 10 carries and a rushing touchdown. Both players have to be salivating knowing they will be facing one of the worst rush defense sin the Big Ten. The Lions give up nearly 217 yards per game on the ground.

For Penn State to slow the Marlyand rushing attack, the defensive tackles must hold the line of scrimmage while the defensive ends keep outside contain. As the defensive ends collapse on the line of scrimmage and lose outside contain, Hills can pull the ball from the running back and run outside. In last year’s contest, Hills toted the rock 26 times for 124 yards and a score. Many of those runs were to outside of the line of scrimmage. On Saturday, keep your eye on how the Lions defensive ends react to Hills read-option looks.

#3. The Kicking Game

Every coach will tell you that special teams can make or break a game. On Saturday, that might just be the truth. The expectation is for poor weather and potentially slippery conditions. Evenly matched teams and poor field conditions are the recipe for a special teams slugfest.

In previous years, a battle of special teams would have been difficult for Penn State to win. This year, however, the Nittany Lions have three of the best kicking weapons in the Big Ten. Freshman punter Blake Gillikin ranks third in the conference in punting average at 43.27 yards per punt.

While Gillikin has been pinning opponents deep in their own end, junior place kicker Tyler Davis is a Big Ten co-leader in made field goals.

Davis has connected on nine consecutive field goals this year, and he was perfect last season as well. All told, Davis has made 17 straight kicks — a Penn State record. Davis might have saved his best kick for his last, as he connected on a 40-yd attempt at the gun to send Penn State into overtime last weekend. Last season the kicking game was a black eye for the Lions program, but this season it has been one of its greatest strengths.

Penn State’s not so secret weapon might be its kickoff specialist, Joey Julius. This week the sophomore kicker came forward this week to talk about his battles with depression and eating disorder. So far, Julius has made national headlines with his highlight reel tackles. What may not get nearly as much attention is Julius’ penchant for delivering touchbacks on his kick offs. With slightly more than 63 percent of his kick offs unable to be returned, Julius ranks third in the Big Ten.

The Nittany Lions have a decided advantage in nearly every contest with these three kick specialists. Against Maryland, a team that ranks near the bottom in most major kicking statistics, they will likely be called upon to help the Lions pull off another conference victory.

#4. The Penn State OL Against the Maryland DL:

Most weeks I could include this as a key to the game because it really is the game within the game. The ability of the Lions offensive line to hold up under the strains of the defensive pressure truly determines how well the offense ultimately performs.

Last week, the Penn State offensive line allowed no Minnesota sacks. On the year however, the Lions have given up 11 sacks ranking near the bottom of the conference. Maryland’s defensive front has been a strength of head coach DJ Durkin’s team. The Terps have recorded 14 sacks in only four games. In their last outing, they notched six team sacks against Purdue.

Players like tackles Andrew Nelson and Brendan Mahon will have their hands full with defensive ends Jesse Aniebonam and Roman Braglio. Combined, both players have recorded six sacks.

The Nittany Lions’ ability to handle the Maryland pressure will directly impact what Saquon Barkley does on the ground. Most of the year the offensive line has failed to provide running lanes for Barkley. Consequently, his rush yards per game have been lower than last year. See how well Penn State holds their blocks and if they are able to open running lanes between the tackles. For my money, I thought Chasz Wright did a nice job opening holes last week when he spelled freshman Connor McGovern at right guard. Wright is listed as the primary backup to McGovern at right guard and Andrew Nelson at right tackle.

See if the coaching staff agrees with me and gives him increased playing time this week.

Enjoy the game this week! If you are planning to go to Beaver Stadium, dress for wet weather. As always, you can follow Corey Hunter on Twitter using @realhuntdog23. Stay connected with all the Penn State happenings with VBR (www.victorybellrings.com or @victorybellrings)