Minnesota-Penn State preview

Minnesota at Penn State

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Saturday, 3:30 p.m., at Beaver Stadium, State College

TV: Big Ten Network. Radio: WNTP-AM (990), WNPV-AM (1440).

History: Penn State leads, 8-5, in the battle for the Governor's Victory Bell. The teams last met in 2013 with Minnesota winning at home, 24-10. This is the first meeting of the two teams in State College since 2009, a 20-0 Penn State victory.

About Penn State: The Nittany Lions (2-2) were overwhelmed on both sides of the ball and lost at No. 4 Michigan, 49-10, establishing season lows for points, total yards (199) and first downs (12). . . . They have dropped to 112th in the nation in total offense (338.5 yards per game) and next-to-last in third-down conversion rate (24.4 percent). . . . Quarterback Trace McSorley passed for a season low 121 yards last week and was sacked six times. . . . Saquon Barkley accounted for 136 yards (59 rushing, 77 receiving) from scrimmage last week. . . . The Lions have allowed nearly 214 yards per game on the ground, giving up more than 300 yards to both Pitt and Michigan. . . . Penn State's injury situation at linebacker continues to sting - its three starters during the preseason are out, and backup Jan Johnson is out for the season. . . . Penn State has turned the ball over 10 times and is minus-4 through four games. . . . If there is one positive for the Lions, they are among the nation's best in fewest penalties (4.5 per game).

About Minnesota: The Golden Gophers (3-0) completed their nonconference schedule with a 31-24 win over Colorado State. . . . This is their first Big Ten game and initial road contest of the season. . . . Fifth-year senior Mitch Leidner is a dual-threat quarterback who has completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 599 yards and four touchdowns, and has averaged 5.2 yards per rush while scoring three times. . . . Minnesota has gained better than 228 yards per game on the ground with redshirt sophomore Rodney Smith leading the team with 298 yards and five TDs. . . . The Golden Gophers have scored on each of their 14 trips inside the red zone, with 13 touchdowns. . . . They have allowed just one sack and turned the ball over only twice in three games. . . . The Minnesota defense has recorded nine sacks and 29 tackles for loss but has been soft on third-down and in the red zone. . . . The Gophers have been flagged for 27 penalties thus far.

- Joe Juliano

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