Oct. 8, 2016
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TEAM
- The series now stands at 37-2-1 in favor of Penn State, with a 22-1 Nittany Lion advantage in State College.
- Penn State's 524 yards of total offense are the most since posting 574 against Eastern Michigan in 2013. The 524 yards of total offense are the most in a Big Ten game since having 546 yards against Indiana in 2012.
- It is the first game with 500 or more yards since the 2014 season opener vs. UCF (511).
- The Nittany Lions ran for 372 yards vs. Maryland, the fourth-most rushing yards in a game in last 20 years. It is the most in a game since producing 389 vs. Youngstown State in 2006 and most against a FBS opponent since 2002 (Michigan State, 390).
- The rushing yard total is the most since piling up 390 yards vs. Michigan State in 2002 and is the third-highest total in a Big Ten game in program history.
- The 62 rushing attempts are the most in a Big Ten game for Penn State, while the 372 yards rank No. 3 on the Nittany Lions' Big Ten ledger.
- Penn State allowed a season-low 11 first downs to Maryland.
- Penn State held Maryland well below its season averages entering the game. The Terps were averaging 43.2 points per game, while allowing just 14.5. They rushed for an average of 300 yards in the first four games before being held to 170 rushing yards and 270 yards of total offense (466.2 average).
- The Nittany Lions had five plays of at least 20 yards in the first half, finishing the game with seven. They now have 35 such plays from scrimmage on the season.
- Penn State has allowed a total of 21 third-quarter points through six games this season, an average of 3.5 points in the third stanza. Maryland was shut out in the second half.
- The Nittany Lions scored on the first possession of the game, a 5-yard pass from sophomore QB Trace McSorley to junior TE Mike Gesicki. It was the first touchdown on the opening possession for the Nittany Lions since playing at Illinois in 2014.
- Sophomore LB Koa Farmer made his first career start at linebacker. He is the 13th first-time starter for Penn State this season.
- Junior WR Josh McPhearson made his Penn State debut on kickoff coverage in the fourth quarter.
- Penn State improved its record on Homecoming to 70-22-5 and has won 10 of its last 12 Homecoming contests.
OFFENSE
- Sophomore QB Trace McSorley accounted for 233 yards of total offense -- 152 passing and 81 rushing.
- McSorley had a career-high 81 rushing yards on 18 attempts, the most rushing yards by a quarterback since Daryll Clark had 83 against Illinois in 2009. His previous high of 73 yards came last week vs. Minnesota.
- Sophomore RB Saquon Barkley posted his first 200-yard rushing game and seventh career 100-yard effort with 202 yards on the ground. He became the 15th different Nittany Lion to eclipse the 200-yard mark.
- Barkley's 202 yards are tied for 23rd all-time on Penn State's single game rushing list (John Cappelletti vs. Maryland, 1972) and marks the first 200-plus yard performance since Bill Belton had 201 against Illinois in 2013.
- Barkley's 202 yards are the most by a Penn State player since Larry Johnson had 279 yards against Michigan State in 2002.
- Barkley moved into 22nd on the career rushing charts with his performance, jumping six spots in the game. He ended the afternoon with 1,658 career yards on the ground.
- Barkley's six runs of 10-plus yards give him 16 such efforts on the season and 50 for his career.
- Junior TE Mike Gesicki caught his second touchdown pass of the season and third of his career on Penn State's opening drive. All three of his touchdowns have been scored in Beaver Stadium.
- Sophomore WR DeAndre Thompkins caught a career-long 70-yard pass for his second career touchdown at the end of the third quarter. He ended the game with career highs in receptions (4) and receiving yards (91).
- Junior WR DaeSean Hamilton extended his streak to 32 consecutive games with a catch, the longest streak since Bobby Engram (1993-95) caught at least one pass in 36 straight games. He had two catches for 35 yards.
- QB Tommy Stevens set career highs with four rushing attempts and 36 rushing yards.
- Junior WR Chris Godwin had his receptions streak snapped at 19 games. He has had a catch in 30 of 32 career games.
DEFENSE
- A total of 28 Nittany Lions made at least one tackle.
- The 100 yards passing allowed were the fewest in a Big Ten game since giving up 68 yards at Indiana in 2014.
- In his first career start, sophomore LB Koa Farmer earned his first career sack and forced fumble in the second quarter.
- Farmer ended the day with career highs in tackles (5), tackles for loss (1.5), sacks (1) and forced fumbles (1).
- Sophomore DE Torrence Brown came up with his second career fumble recovery on Farmer's forced fumble.
- Junior LB Brandon Smith came up with his first career interception, picking off Maryland QB Perry Hills at the Penn State 45 with 2:06 to play in the first quarter.
- Smith had a game- and career-high 14 tackles, besting his previous high of eight against Temple earlier this season.
- Junior DT Tyrell Chavis posted his first career tackle for loss when he took down Maryland's Lorenzo Harrison in the third quarter for a loss of four yards.
- Redshirt freshman DT Kevin Givens posted the first full sack of his career with a fourth quarter takedown of Tyrrell Pigrome. He now has 1.5 sacks on the season.
- Sophomore CB John Reid third career tackle-for-loss and second of the season in the second quarter.
- Senior DE Evan Schwan posted his second career sack in the first quarter. Schwan had his first career quarterback takedown last Saturday vs. Minnesota.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Freshman P Blake Gillikin produced his fifth punt inside the opponents' 10-yard line this season with a 29-yard punt to the Maryland 7-yard line in the second quarter.
- Sophomore P Daniel Pasquariello saw his first action of the season, hitting two punts for a 37.5 average.
- Junior PK Tyler Davis converted on his lone field-goal attempt on the day, moving his school record streak of consecutive field goals made to 18.
- Davis made all five PAT attempts, moving his total to 48-of-48 on kicks to start his career. He is 30-of-30 on point after attempts and 18-of-18 on field goal attempts.
- Junior WR Josh McPhearson made the first tackle of his Penn State career on kickoff coverage in the fourth quarter.
NEXT
- Penn State has a bye on Oct. 15 and returns to action on Oct. 22, hosting Ohio State at 8 p.m. for the Penn State White Out game.