UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State (7-3, 4-3) travels to Rutgers (1-9, 0-7) for a Big Ten matchup at noon, which can be seen on BTN. Here's what we learned from Tuesday's media availability.
1. After eclipsing the 1,000 yard rushing mark with his 159 yards against Wisconsin, Miles Sanders and the rushing attack was a point of emphasis on Tuesday. "I have felt all year long that our running game has been improved. The stats back it up," head coach James Franklin said. "Last year we were averaging 4.9 yards per rush, which I think was 32nd in the country. This year averaging 5.17, which is 24th in the country"
2. Much of the success on the ground can be attributed to ranking 23rdin the country in tackles for loss. A year ago, Penn State ranked 111th in the same category. "I think the biggest difference there, and we've talked about this, is tackles for loss," Franklin stated. "There were too many times in the past where the ball would be handed off and they would have a free edge rusher, usually from the field, and we'd have tackles for loss. So, we've made a dramatic improvement there."
Added Steve Gonzalez on eliminating tackles for loss: "I think we just improved as an offensive line. I think we needed to gain a little bit more chemistry and cohesiveness with each other, and that's what we got through winter and through spring and through the summer workouts, summer camp. And then obviously through 10 games this year."
3. Over the past couple of weeks, the Nittany Lion pass defense has continued to standout. Against Wisconsin, Penn State allowed just 60 yards through the air while holding Wisconsin to 10 points, their fewest since 2016. "We try to bring it every single Saturday, because we know it goes back through the linebackers and through the secondary," Antonio Shelton said. "The secondary has been playing great all season. So, you know they give us time to do our job and we make their job a lot easier if we can get to the quarterback."
Added James Franklin on the pass defense: "I think what you're seeing right now is you're seeing our linebackers gain confidence and experience and you're seeing our defensive tackles gain confidence and experience and then you're seeing the defensive ends, who we already felt good about, you see them taking the next step as well."
4. It isn't a secret that Penn State's red zone efficiency has been among the best in the country. That number continued to rise against Wisconsin last Saturday. "We scored in all three trips inside the 20-yard line. We're 38-of-40 on the year and have 33 touchdowns," Franklin Stated. "We've got to get a little bit better in what we call the fringe area. So that area really just before you get into the red zone."
5. Penn State will lock in on Raheem Blackshear, one of Rutgers top threats on the offense. "He does a great job. He's explosive. He's quick, plays with a lot of confidence. Obviously, being a PA guy and playing Penn State is going to be motivation there," James Franklin said. "Rasheem Blackshear is a guy that jumps out to us. He's leading them in both rushing and receiving. A young man that we know very well went to Archbishop Wood, same high school as [Jake] Cooper and [Ryan] Bates."
