How can Penn State football avoid the upset against Rutgers at home? Here are Saturday’s 2 key matchups
Penn State football will try to get back on track Saturday afternoon when it takes on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 21-17 loss to the Michigan Wolverines. They’re entering the game against Rutgers with a 6-4 record overall and a 3-4 record in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights are 5-5 overall and 2-5 in the Big Ten.
Let’s take a look at the two key matchups that will determine if the Nittany Lions can avoid the upset.
Jon Sauber: Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson vs. the Rutgers secondary
Senior wide receiver Jahan Dotson is going to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards on the season in this game, it’s just a matter of how much he does it by. Dotson currently sits at 993 yards and nine touchdowns on 80 receptions, all career highs. This Saturday he’ll be going up against a Rutgers defense that hasn’t exactly been great this season and one that doesn’t have an answer for a player of his caliber — not that many defenses do.
Cornerbacks Kessawn Abraham and Tre Avery have been the Scarlet Knights’ primary cornerbacks this season, leading the corners in snaps in coverage with 259 and 245. Abraham has graded out relatively well in coverage this year, with a 78.7 grade from Pro Football Focus — the highest on the team among players with at least five snaps in coverage. Avery’s ability has been another story. He has the lowest coverage grade — 30.9 — on the Rutgers defense among players who have spent a single snap in coverage this season. He was torched by Michigan State, giving up three catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns, by Michigan, giving up three catches for 81 yards, and by Ohio State, giving up three catches for 67 yards. Those numbers would likely be worse if not for five drops across the three games that were not caused by anything other than the wide receivers making a mistake.
Given how the two cornerbacks have performed this season, it would make sense for Abraham to line up across from Dotson, but it isn’t always that easy. Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich should be doing whatever he can to get Avery isolated against Dotson in coverage. Based on the cornerback’s performances this season, it would make sense for him to be the passing game’s target. When Dotson is lined up across from Avery, Clifford should be looking for him. That’s the type of matchup the senior wide receiver can take advantage of and have a big game against.
There are very few defensive backs in the country who can slow down Dotson and there are very few that have this season. He’s caught at least five passes in every game and Rutgers is likely the next team to give up big plays to the talented wide receiver. That just becomes easier if the Nittany Lions can find the right matchup for Dotson.
Kyle J. Andrews: Penn State’s pass blocking vs Rutgers’ pass rush
The Nittany Lions offensive line has a chance to shine against Rutgers this week, following a Michigan game where they allowed seven sacks and four quarterback hurries. Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks and David Ojabo had two. Luckily for Penn State, Rutgers doesn’t have the same caliber of pass rushers that Michigan does. Rutgers’ sack leaders are linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (3.5 sacks) and defensive linemen Aaron Lewis (2.5) and Julius Turner (2.5). The Scarlet Knights as a team have 17 sacks on the year — 10 fewer than Michigan.
This sets up a very good situation for the offensive line for Penn State. They’ve allowed 27 sacks on the year and have struggled at times in protecting Sean Clifford. Penn State is ranked 93rd in sacks allowed and have allowed 18, dating back to the Illinois game. The Fighting Illini had four sacks, Ohio State added four and Maryland had three.
The opportunity for tackles Rasheed Walker and Caedan Wallace to shine is here, especially considering that defensive ends Mike Tverdov (no sacks) and C.J. Onyechi (one sack) have struggled in generating pressure on the quarterback. On the flip side, that means that the interior offensive line of Eric Wilson, Mike Miranda and Juice Scruggs will have to uphold their end of the bargain.
There could be changes on the horizon for the Nittany Lions offensive line as well. Four-star, Class of 2021 offensive lineman Landon Tengwall is expected to see a more expanded role going forward. Bryce Effner took many snaps at right guard, following the injury to Miranda on Saturday. Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu may also see playing time.
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 3:00 PM.
