After opening the season with a 46-11 victory over Nevada final weekend, second-ranked Penn State will try and stretch its successful streak in opposition to unranked groups to 33 video games when it battles FIU on Saturday afternoon in College Park, Pa.
Penn State remained No. 2 within the Related Press High 25. Ohio State moved from No. 3 to No. 1 on this week’s ballot after beating top-ranked Texas 14-7.
Penn State scored on its first 9 possessions in opposition to Nevada (5 touchdowns, 4 area targets) and can face an FIU group that rushed for six touchdowns in a season-opening 42-9 win in opposition to Bethune-Cookman final Saturday.
The Panthers’ victory got here in Willie Simmons’ first recreation as this system’s head coach. He spent final season because the working backs coach at Duke and was employed by FIU in December.
As for Penn State, coach James Franklin mentioned he was comfortable together with his group’s opening effort.
“I used to be happy with an early season recreation and the way clear issues had been, and the way organized we had been,” Franklin mentioned. “We had no points that you just see a ton in early video games in a season with faculty soccer — applications who’re burning timeouts, substitution points … we did not have any of these.
“We will must be ready similar to we had been for final week. Offense, protection and particular groups. There are going to be issues that present up on this recreation that we will not put together for or anticipate based mostly on movie breakdown or research, however we have to take a major step in comparison with the place we had been final week.”
FIU junior quarterback Keyone Jenkins accomplished 18 of 30 passes for 187 yards and rushed for 2 touchdowns within the victory over Bethune-Cookman.
Jenkins, chosen because the Convention USA preseason offensive participant of the yr, handed for 4,971 yards and 33 touchdowns, with 19 interceptions, in his first two seasons at FIU.
“They did some fairly good issues (on offense) final recreation, so there can be some challenges there,” Franklin mentioned.
Kejon Owens additionally had two speeding touchdowns for the Panthers, who held Bethune-Cookman to 105 yards on the bottom.
“If we will proceed to be stout in opposition to the run, I feel we could be a fairly good protection,” Simmons mentioned. “Did not play our greatest recreation (final weekend), however received the job executed. Numerous issues to scrub up. Hoping to make a dramatic enchancment from Week 1 to Week 2.
“Big check for us,” Simmons added. “We have to play clear to compete at this stage.”
Penn State defensive finish Dani Dennis-Sutton recorded 5 tackles (4 solo) and compelled two fumbles in opposition to Nevada. He additionally had a move breakup and a QB hurry.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar accomplished 22 of 26 passes for 217 yards and one landing. The Nittany Lions acquired productive video games from switch extensive receivers Trebor Pena (Syracuse) and Kyron Hudson (Southern California).
Pena had seven receptions for 74 yards and Hudson caught six passes for 89 yards and a TD.
–Subject Degree Media
