Rutgers and Penn State are set to face off this Saturday at 3:30 on the Scarlet Knights’ senior night, with the winner of this game earning bowl eligibility and the loser seeing their season end right then and there. If Rutgers were to pull off a win in this game, it would be their first win over the Nittany Lions since they visited State College in 1988.
Winning this game is much easier said than done. Although they are having a down year, Penn State’s roster is still loaded with talent on both the offensive
and defensive sides of the ball. In addition, the Lions have started to play more like their old selves in this recent stretch, falling just short to No.2 Indiana, beating Michigan State, and blowing out Nebraska.
With the injury to starting quarterback Drew Allar, the Lions’ offense largely rests on the shoulder pads of running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Both running backs have combined for 1,540 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns on the year. Allen also has the most career rushing yards in Penn State history with 3,954 yards. Ethan Grunkemeyer has stepped in as a serviceable backup quarterback, throwing for 870 yards, five touchdowns, and four picks, but this offense will go as far as their running backs take them.
Despite the rough start to the year and the injury to linebacker Tony Rojas, the Lions’ defense is still loaded with playmakers, with the strength of their team being their pass rush. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton has 6 sacks on the year, with three forced fumbles to go along with them. Defensive tackle Zane Durant provides some up-the-middle pass rush as well, as he already has four sacks on the season.
Zakee Wheatley is one player to watch out for in their secondary. He currently has 66 total tackles and one interception on the season.
The winner of this game will likely be whichever team can drag the other into the type of game they want to play. If Rutgers can force Penn State into a high-flying game with a lot of scoring, the Knights will likely win. If the Lions drag Rutgers into the mud and force them into a defensive battle, Penn State will likely win.
Saturday’s game will be broadcast live on BTN and will have a ceremony beforehand to honor the teams’ graduating seniors.
