Through each Penn State game, the Nittany Lions fight for a win despite all the doubt. After last weekend’s domination by the Penn State Nittany Lions, the team is pushing to make the top ten in the College Football Playoff Rankings. Penn State currently sits at 14 in the rankings. Most recently, the Nittany Lions beat the Indiana Hoosiers 45-14. Here are three players to watch in the Penn State Nittany Lions fight against the Maryland Terrapins this weekend.
Nittany Lions Fight: Ji’Ayir Brown
Senior safety Ji’Ayir Brown has done a great job this season. Throughout this Nittany Lions fight to make the top ten this season, Brown has been a part of it all. The safety has a total of 52 tackles, 39 solo, and two sacks according to Sports Reference. He also has two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and three interceptions for 92 yards. All he is missing statistically is a touchdown. Forcing turnovers will be crucial if Penn State wants to make it into the top ten for the College Football Playoff Rankings.
Last weekend in the game against Indiana, the statistics for Brown were that great. Brown had a total of three tackles, two of which were solo. This is not as bad as it sounds though because it was not because Brown played poorly, but due to the rest of the defense playing so well. The Hoosiers had to go through three quarterbacks against Penn State due to an injury to quarterback Jack Tuttle who started the game. Between three quarterbacks, Indiana was only able to complete 16 out of 29 pass attempts for 131 yards according to ESPN.
Brown could have a bigger test this weekend against Maryland’s quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. While Tagovailoa is not the best quarterback the Nittany Lions have faced, he is still better than Indiana’s quarterbacks, making Brown a player to watch next weekend.
Nittany Lions Fight: Mitchell Tinsley
Senior wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley has been a strength in the passing game for Penn State. In his last few games this season, he will be looking to make his name known beyond Penn State. This season, the wide receiver has totaled 38 receptions for 427 yards and four touchdowns according to Sports Reference. It is also important to note that Tinsley averages 11.2 yards per catch, making him a guy to count on to get the first down.
Despite Penn State doing so well against Indiana, Tinsley only had five receptions in the game. The receiver did have a total of 63 yards, his longest being 27 yards, according to ESPN. Although this may not have been the greatest game for him statistically, he actually had the most receptions of anyone on the team. Although Penn State has a focus on rushing the ball, Tinsley was still a difference-maker when it matters. Look for him to score more touchdowns this weekend in Penn State’s fight to beat Maryland, especially after scoring no touchdowns last weekend.
Nittany Lions Fight: Parker Washington
Sophomore wide receiver Parker Washington has been truly special this season for Penn State. In the Nittany Lions fight to win last weekend, Washington had the second-most receptions at four, for 30 yards according to ESPN. Similar to Tinsley, there is not much to talk about from the previous game because of Penn State’s running backs stealing the show.
This season Washington has had a total of 45 receptions for 597 yards, according to Sports Reference. Each week that Washington has been included as a player to watch, it is stated that he only has two touchdowns this season. Each week I also say to look for Washington to score more touchdowns in the upcoming game. Maryland’s defense only has a total of 32 pass deflections and seven interceptions, according to ESPN. If Penn State does not rely on rushing the ball, Washington could score a touchdown.
The portion of Washington’s game that stands out the most is the way he always pushes for one extra yard. He has been a huge reason that there is a chance for a Nittany Lions fight in order to get into the top ten. If Washington can continue to break tackles, this could be the week he adds another touchdown to his stat sheet.
The next Penn State Nittany Lions fight will be against the Maryland Terrapins this Saturday at 3:30 pm. Watch for these players to see if they can make enough of an impact for Penn State to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings.
For more NCAA Football and NFL content:
Check out my article on Penn State’s players who will have a bright future with the Nittany Lions. Check out my article on why the NFL Must Ban Turf in their stadiums. Also, check out this week’s NFL Underestimated Player Spotlight.
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