Penn State Offense                                                                        Temple Offense

Players to Watch                                                                        Players to Watch

#1 Rob Bolden QB 6’3 216 SO                                              #8 Mike Gerardi QB 6’2 206 JR

#11 Matt McGloin QB 6’1 211 JR                                         #30 Bernard Pierce RB 6’1 218 JR

#25 Silas Redd RB 5’10 209 SO                                           #22 Matt Brown RB 5’5 170 JR

#6 Derek Moye WR 6’5 210 SR                                            #18 Rod Streater WR 6’4 196 SR

#19 Justin Brown WR 6’3 214 JR                                          #88 Evan Rodriguez TE 6’3 250 SR

Penn State Defense                                                                        Temple Defense

Players to Watch                                                                        Players to Watch

#71 Devon Still DT 6’5 310 SR                                             #43 Adrian Robinson DE 6’2 250 SR

#81 Jack Crawford DE 6’5 273 SR                                        #85 Morkeith Brown DE 6’6 260 SR

#42 Michael Mauti LB 6’2 242 JR                                            #2 Tahir Whitehead LB 6’2 228 SR

#6 Gerald Hodges LB 6’2 234 JR                                           #24 Ahkeem Smith LB 6’0 215 JR

#8 D’Anton Lynn CB 6’1 208 SR                                             #6 Maurice Jones CB 5’10 195 JR

#28 Drew Astorino S 5’10 207 SR                                          #37 Kevin Kroboth S 6’0 198 SR

 

Week 3 Preview: Penn State (1-1) vs. Temple (2-0)

Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

Time: 12:00 p.m. EST

 

After last week’s disappointing loss to Alabama, the Penn State Nittany Lions look to bounce back into the win column, and figure out which of their two quarterbacks will emerge as the true starter and run the offense. Temple looks for a 3-0 start to the 2011 campaign after taking a lead into the fourth quarter against the Nittany Lions last year in State College.

Outlook: With two weeks until Big Ten Conference play begins, the Nittany Lions are looking to get back on track and play their game. Offensively, Penn State will use explosive running back Silas Redd to set up the passing game behind Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin. A good mix of play calling and execution on the field should help the Nittany Lions move the ball downfield.

Temple comes in to this game with two dominating victories over Villanova and Akron, where they only gave up a total of ten points defensively. They haven’t beaten Penn State since 1941, but the two teams played a tight game at Beaver Stadium in 2010.

 

Penn State Offense                   vs.                  Temple Defense

 

It All Starts “In The Trenches”

For Penn State, controlling the line of scrimmage and giving the quarterback time to find an open receiver is key. The Lions have a great receiving core led by Derek Moye and Justin Brown, but the offense has been unable to use them thus far.  If the Owls want to slow down Penn State’s offense they can do so by winning the battle in the trenches, forcing Lions’ quarterbacks to make quick decisions and preventing Silas Redd from streaking past the first level and into the secondary.

What QB will emerge for Penn State?

Rob Bolden has started both of the first two games, but Matt McGloin has also seen some time.  Neither quarterback has shown they can take over the offense as evidenced by their numbers.  Neither has thrown for a touchdown, with Bolden having completed just 17 of 41 passes for 181 yards and an interception. McGloin has completed 7 for 18 with 77 yards.  Expect Bolden to start and both to play, but I’m sure the Nittany Lions would like to solve their quarterback controversy before conference play begins.

Temple (DEF) Keys:

If Temple wants to frustrate the Nittany Lions’ offense, they should watch the tape of Alabama’s defense from last Saturday and follow it as closely as possible. The Owls will need to stop the run or at least keep it from breaking the game open. They need to put pressure on whoever the quarterback is and force them into quick decisions. If they can keep Penn State in third down and long situations, they could keep themselves in the game.

 

Penn State Defense                  vs.                  Temple Offense

 

Temple RB #30 Bernard Pierce vs. Penn State LB’s

Bernard Pierce has had a great start, rushing for 297 yards and six touchdowns in the first two games. However, he won’t be able to run all over Penn State like he has Villanova and Akron. For Penn State to be successful defensively, it all starts with stopping the run. The Lions cannot afford to let Pierce get into any sort of rhythm like they allowed Alabama to last week. With linebackers #42 Michael Mauti and #6 Gerald Hodges at “Linebacker U” this season, the Lions have two athletic playmakers that can try to contain Pierce on Saturday. 

Penn State (DEF) Keys:

The Nittany Lions will need to get pressure on the quarterback with their front seven.  Devon Still will be a lot for the Owls’ offensive line to handle, so guys like Jordan Hill, Jack Crawford, Sean Stanley and anyone who plays on the defensive line will need to step up and get some sacks. The Lions’ defense was unable to create any sustainable pressure last season and it was a major question mark for them heading into this season. The Lions also need to do a better job of wrapping up and not letting bigger plays develop because of a missed tackle.

 

Special Teams

 

Penn State K #4 Evan Lewis vs. Temple K #19 Brandon McManus

In a tight game, the pressure is on the kickers to make a late field goal to give their team the edge they need to win. But after two weeks neither team should be overly confident in their kicking game. Penn State’s Evan Lewis missed two field goals and an extra point against Indiana State in their season opener. Temple’s Brandon McManus has missed a field goal in each of the Owls first two games, and while he’s a perfect 11 for 11 on extra points, his longest field goal made is 27 yards.

Penn State could be getting their regular kicker Anthony Fera back sometime soon, which would definitely give the Nittany Lions the advantage in the kicking game.

Prediction:

Expect much of the same as last year’s battle. The Owls should be able to keep it close in the first half if they get pressure on the Lions’ quarterbacks. Their biggest problem will be stopping Silas Redd from getting his feet moving and making moves to make guys miss. If the Owls can play mistake free football and play a full 60 minute game, then this will be a very interesting game. But there is a reason why Penn State hasn’t lost to Temple in 70 years.

Score:

Penn State 27 - Temple 17