University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Matchup Preview: Pitt at Penn State
9/8/2017 5:45:00 PM | Football
The Pitt football team plays Penn State for the 98th time in an in-state rivalry that dates back to 1893 this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Here is a matchup preview of the Panthers' trip to visit the No. 4 Nittany Lions:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: PENN STATE
The Penn State Nittany Lions enter this Saturday's game ranked No. 4 in both the AP and Coaches Poll after defeating Akron 52-0 in their opener.
Penn State is the reigning Big Ten Conference champion, courtesy of a win over Wisconsin in the Championship Game last season, and the Nittany Lions were defeated by Southern Cal in last season's Rose Bowl Game.
With 97 previous matchups, Penn State is Pitt's second most all-time played opponent, behind only West Virginia (104 games). However, Pitt has not played at Penn State since 1999, when the Panthers nearly knocked off then-No. 2 ranked PSU, losing 20-17 in a thrilling game at Beaver Stadium.
While Penn State leads the all-time series, 50-43-4, the Panthers have won the last two matchups—12-0 in 2000 at Three Rivers Stadium and 42-39 last season at Heinz Field—and are looking for a third straight victory over the Nittany Lions for the first time since 1944-46.
BREAKING DOWN THE MATCHUP
The Coaches
Last Saturday's victory over Youngstown State was Pat Narduzzi's 17th as Pitt head coach, making him 17-10 overall with the Panthers over the last three seasons. Narduzzi also owns a 1-0 head coaching record against Penn State and was also 3-2 versus PSU as Michigan State's defensive coordinator, including a 34-10 win in his last visit to Beaver Stadium in 2014.
For Penn State, James Franklin is in his fourth season at the school. He owns a 26-15 record with the Nittany Lions and was previously a head coach at Vanderbilt. Franklin owns a 50-30 overall head coaching record with an 0-1 mark against Pitt.
When Pitt Has the Ball
The Panthers have scored 28 points or more in 14 of their last 15 games and will look to extend that streak on Saturday.
Wide receivers Quadree Henderson and Jester Weah will be crucial for Pitt, along with tailbacks Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall. Quarterback Max Browne is the man tasked with making everything click, and he'll be happy to see offensive lineman Alex Bookser return for this game.
On PSU's defense, the Lions are set to start 10 upperclassmen after their shutout of Akron last week and feature four seniors in the secondary, two more at linebacker and a young but skilled defensive line.
When Penn State Has the Ball
Penn State are led offensively by the extremely talented Saquon Barkley at running back, quarterback Trace McSorley and tight end Mike Gesicki. The Nittany Lions start four upperclassmen on the offensive line and have a talented trio of receivers with plenty of playing experience.
For Pitt's defense, safety Dennis Briggs and linebacker Oluwaseun Idowu both recorded seven tackles last Saturday to lead the Panthers, who gave up just four third-down conversions against YSU.
Special Teams
Pitt's special teams are led by dynamic returning All-American Quadree Henderson, who set school records in kickoff return yards (914) and touchdowns (3) last season. Henderson also returns punts for the Panthers and is a threat to go all the way every time he touches the ball.
In the kicking game, Pitt senior punter Ryan Winslow looked strong in the opener when called upon, averaging 40.5 yards per punt. However, redshirt freshman placekicker Alex Kessman is still looking for his first career field goal after missing twice last week.
Penn State is also full of experience on special teams. Tyler Davis is a reliable redshirt senior placekicker, while sophomore punter Blake Gillikin is in his second season in that role. Returning kickoffs for the Lions will be Miles Sanders or Barkley, and punt returner DeAndre Thompkins is coming off a return touchdown last weekend against Akron.
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Here is a matchup preview of the Panthers' trip to visit the No. 4 Nittany Lions:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: PENN STATE
The Penn State Nittany Lions enter this Saturday's game ranked No. 4 in both the AP and Coaches Poll after defeating Akron 52-0 in their opener.
Penn State is the reigning Big Ten Conference champion, courtesy of a win over Wisconsin in the Championship Game last season, and the Nittany Lions were defeated by Southern Cal in last season's Rose Bowl Game.
With 97 previous matchups, Penn State is Pitt's second most all-time played opponent, behind only West Virginia (104 games). However, Pitt has not played at Penn State since 1999, when the Panthers nearly knocked off then-No. 2 ranked PSU, losing 20-17 in a thrilling game at Beaver Stadium.
While Penn State leads the all-time series, 50-43-4, the Panthers have won the last two matchups—12-0 in 2000 at Three Rivers Stadium and 42-39 last season at Heinz Field—and are looking for a third straight victory over the Nittany Lions for the first time since 1944-46.
BREAKING DOWN THE MATCHUP
The Coaches
Last Saturday's victory over Youngstown State was Pat Narduzzi's 17th as Pitt head coach, making him 17-10 overall with the Panthers over the last three seasons. Narduzzi also owns a 1-0 head coaching record against Penn State and was also 3-2 versus PSU as Michigan State's defensive coordinator, including a 34-10 win in his last visit to Beaver Stadium in 2014.
For Penn State, James Franklin is in his fourth season at the school. He owns a 26-15 record with the Nittany Lions and was previously a head coach at Vanderbilt. Franklin owns a 50-30 overall head coaching record with an 0-1 mark against Pitt.
When Pitt Has the Ball
The Panthers have scored 28 points or more in 14 of their last 15 games and will look to extend that streak on Saturday.
Wide receivers Quadree Henderson and Jester Weah will be crucial for Pitt, along with tailbacks Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall. Quarterback Max Browne is the man tasked with making everything click, and he'll be happy to see offensive lineman Alex Bookser return for this game.
On PSU's defense, the Lions are set to start 10 upperclassmen after their shutout of Akron last week and feature four seniors in the secondary, two more at linebacker and a young but skilled defensive line.
When Penn State Has the Ball
Penn State are led offensively by the extremely talented Saquon Barkley at running back, quarterback Trace McSorley and tight end Mike Gesicki. The Nittany Lions start four upperclassmen on the offensive line and have a talented trio of receivers with plenty of playing experience.
For Pitt's defense, safety Dennis Briggs and linebacker Oluwaseun Idowu both recorded seven tackles last Saturday to lead the Panthers, who gave up just four third-down conversions against YSU.
Special Teams
Pitt's special teams are led by dynamic returning All-American Quadree Henderson, who set school records in kickoff return yards (914) and touchdowns (3) last season. Henderson also returns punts for the Panthers and is a threat to go all the way every time he touches the ball.
In the kicking game, Pitt senior punter Ryan Winslow looked strong in the opener when called upon, averaging 40.5 yards per punt. However, redshirt freshman placekicker Alex Kessman is still looking for his first career field goal after missing twice last week.
Penn State is also full of experience on special teams. Tyler Davis is a reliable redshirt senior placekicker, while sophomore punter Blake Gillikin is in his second season in that role. Returning kickoffs for the Lions will be Miles Sanders or Barkley, and punt returner DeAndre Thompkins is coming off a return touchdown last weekend against Akron.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
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