University Park, Pa. – This Saturday, Penn State takes the field for its annual Blue-White game inside Beaver Stadium. With an expected crowd of 70,000+ fans in attendance, the Nittany Lions return 13 starters (8 offensive, 3 defensive, 2 specialists) and 26 additional lettermen. Here are a few things to watch during this year's intra-squad scrimmage.
Offensive Focus
While several eyes will be focused on the quarterback position this Saturday, take note of the battle at running back. With Miles Sanders declaring for the NFL, Ricky Slade and Journey Brown have continued to stand out in the backfield for Penn State this spring. Slade, a sophomore from Virginia, appeared in nine games and was one of 16 true freshmen to make their debut in 2018. Meanwhile, Journey Brown appeared in eight games while rushing for a lone touchdown against Illinois. Sure, both backs lack extended game experience, but the dynamic duo has shown significant signs of growth this spring. Lead by running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider, Brown and Slade will be a crucial point in the Penn State offense this season.
Worth noting: Journey Brown now wears jersey No. 4 while Slade reps No. 3.
Defensive Focus
With several new faces on the defensive side of the football, one name that has continued to impress this spring is Keaton Ellis. Ellis, a State College Area graduate, was a three-year letterman for head coach Matt Lintal and helped the Little Lions to a quarterfinal appearance in the 2018 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class 6A state tournament. With his emergence at the cornerback position, look for the true freshman to take critical reps during this year's blue-white game.
Game Information
The game is slated for 3 p.m. and is free to attend. If you can't make it, you can listen to the game live on the Penn State Sports Network, GoPSUsports.com and the Fox Sports app or watch a tape-delayed broadcast on the Big Ten Network at 8 p.m.
For more information on the events surrounding Blue-White, visit gopsusports.com/feature/bluewhite.