UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 14 Penn State (7-3, 4-3) heads to Piscataway, New Jersey for a Big Ten matchup with Rutgers (1-9, 0-6). The game, scheduled for noon, will mark senior day for the Scarlet Knights and be televised on BTN.
The Nittany Lions enter HighPoint.com stadium with a 5-0 record against the Scarlet Knights, on their home turf. Last time Penn State traveled to New Jersey, they claimed a 39-0 victory behind 549 yards of total offense. Rutgers last win over Penn State came in 1988.
Under head coach Chris Ash, who is in his third season with the Scarlet Knights, Rutgers is 7-27. The Scarlet Knights are led by Raheem Blackshear who's averaging 47.8 yards per game on the ground and leads all receivers with 40 receptions. Rutgers has not scored a touchdown against Penn State since September 13, 2014. Defensively, Elorm Lumor and Mike Tverdov have combined for 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. The Scarlet Knight defense ranks 85th in the country in total defense.
Penn State Spotlight
Through 10 games, the PSU offense has capitalized on 38 of 40 trips inside the 20-yard line, with 33 of those being touchdowns. Against Wisconsin, Penn State put up points on all three trips to the red zone in a 22-10 win over the Badgers. "We're doing a really good job in the red zone," head coach James Franklin said. "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."
Quotes of the Week
James Franklin on tackles for loss: "Last year, 11.36 percent of our (offensive) plays were tackles for loss, which was 111th in the country. This year we're at 23rd in the country. We've made a dramatic improvement there."
Antonio Shelton on the Scarlet Knight offense: "They tend to get the ball out quick. They've got a great running back as well, he's real dynamic. He can be in the slot, in the backfield, they'll put him anywhere. I think as far as the D-line, if we do our job within the framework of defense, the plays will just happen, you just have to trust it."
Rutgers Standouts
Raheem Blackshear: Currently leads all Scarlet Knight backs and receivers with 478 yards on the ground and 332 yards receiving. Capitalized on an 80-yard touchdown run against Michigan last week.
Trevor Morris: Leads defenders with 91 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Special teams: Rutgers has one of the nation's strongest kickoff return defenses in the country. The unit is allowing 15.94 yards per return, which ranks second in the Big Ten and ninth in the FBS.
Rutgers quick facts
Head Coach: Chris Ash
Record at Rutgers (3rd Season): 7-27 (.206)
vs. Penn State: 0-3
Penn State-Rutgers Game Preview
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