The fourth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions play their next game on Saturday against the USC Trojans. Following four straight games at Beaver Stadium, Penn State travels to the West Coast to take on USC. It is Penn State’s third Big Ten contest of the season. The Nittany Lions defeated UCLA 27-11 in a Big Ten matchup last week to stay undefeated. This is the fourth season in a row that Penn State has started at 5-0. However, this game starts the tougher part of the schedule. Following USC, Penn State will take on Wisconsin, second-ranked Ohio State, and Washington. Below is a preview of the Penn State vs. USC matchup.
Similar to UCLA last week, USC is a newcomer to the Big Ten. They moved to the conference this season from the Pac-12. The Trojans enter the game with a record of 3-2 and are 1-2 in their Big Ten games. After a statement win over LSU to start the season, USC has alternated wins and losses. The wins have come against Utah State and Wisconsin, with the losses coming at the hands of Michigan and Minnesota. USC peaked at #11 in the rankings this season but has dropped out of the Top 25 after losing to Minnesota. Head Coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans will be motivated for a statement game against the visiting Nittany Lions.
#4 Penn State (5-0) at USC (3-2) Preview
When & Where: Saturday, October 12, 3:30 pm ET, at USC (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum)
Last Game’s Results: Penn State won at home, defeating UCLA 27-11. USC lost to Minnesota on the road by a score of 24-17.
Last Season’s Results: Penn State finished ranked #13 after a 10-3 season that ended with a Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss. USC was 8-5, in a season that ended with a win in the Holiday Bowl over Louisville.
Series History: USC leads the series all-time by a six to four margin. The teams last met in 2017, when USC won 52-49 in the Rose Bowl Game.
Penn State vs. USC Preview: Nittany Lions to Watch
Wide Receiver Julian Fleming
The Penn State offense has done enough to win games early this season. However, there are clear areas of improvement needed. The most glaring is the ability to get off to fast starts. Additionally, the offense needs a wide receiver to step up, take the top receiver designation, and run with it. Key to that is the ability of Julian Fleming to make himself more of a receiving threat.
Fleming is a senior but is in his first year at Penn State after transferring from Ohio State. He has not had a great statistical start to the year. So far, Fleming has seven catches for 99 yards. Those figures rank him fifth on the team in both receptions and yards and fourth in the wide receiver corps. He has yet to score a touchdown for Penn State.
Head coach James Franklin has repeatedly praised Fleming’s ability as an all-around player. He has contributed to Penn State games outside of receptions, including through blocking. However, at some point, a transfer from a conference rival that was expected to compete for the top wide receiver spot at the season’s outset needs to step up. Ranking behind a backup receiver like Liam Clifford is not going to cut it.
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and quarterback Drew Allar have made things work so far this season. Kotelnicki’s creativity is apparent, in his game plans, in his play calling, and in the formations the offense lines up in. Allar, similar to last season, does not turn the ball over. So far, he has nine touchdowns with only one interception. As they enter a tougher part of the schedule, Penn State needs more contributions from the wide receivers. In his Monday press conference, Franklin stated “There are some guys, particularly at the wide receiver position, that we have to continue to get the ball in their hands to develop that aspect of our offense.” While different players have stepped up in different games, it should be Fleming’s turn. That makes him a Nittany Lion to watch.
Defensive Tackle Zane Durant
Zane Durant has been a stalwart on the defensive line for Penn State so far this season. While other players, such as Abdul Carter or KJ Winston, have received deserved accolades, Durant continues to just produce.
The defensive tackle position is a tough one to evaluate based solely on statistics. However, Durant has done well both statistically, and in executing the game plan and occupying blockers so the linebackers and defensive backs can impact plays. He has 12 tackles this season. That ties him for ninth on the team, and first at the defensive tackle spot. His two-and-a-half sacks rank him second on the defense, behind Carter (who was named national defensive player of the week after the Illinois victory).
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen runs a hybrid 4-2-5 defensive scheme that relies heavily on players like Jaylen Reed to contribute from a hybrid linebacker/defensive back spot. Underpinning that position’s success is the ability of the players up front to eat up blockers. On Monday, speaking of Durant, Franklin said, “We’ve gotten used to defensive ends being disruptive. I don’t know the last time we’ve had a defensive tackle as disruptive as Zane.” Durant’s ability to impact an offense’s game plan, occupy blockers, and open things up for other defenders, make him a Nittany Lion to watch.
Kicker Ryan Barker
In last week’s game against UCLA, freshman Ryan Barker was given his chance in the kicker’s competition. He put a good foot forward (pun intended) and should be seen as the leader in the race at this point.
Barker began to show his value in camp. At times over the summer and spring, he was actually seen as the leader in the competition. However, Sander Sahaydak was given the starting job to start the year, for the second season in a row. Similar to last season, it did not go very well as he converted only two of five field goal attempts.
The other kicker on the roster is Chase Meyer, who transferred in from Tulsa. He has experience, converting 17 of 20 field goals last season for Tulsa. He has not been given his opportunity to win the job this season but is there in case Barker falters like Sahaydak has. The importance of the kicker position, especially in close games that Penn State will likely be a part of through this part of the schedule, makes Barker a Nittany Lion to watch.
