Penn State-Maryland preview

Maryland at Penn State

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Saturday, noon, at Beaver Stadium, State College

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

History: Penn State leads, 36-2-1, but is 1-1 since Maryland joined the Big Ten. The Terrapins won 20-19 in their last trip to Happy Valley in 2014 but the Nittany Lions took a 31-30 victory last season in Baltimore.

About Penn State: The Nittany Lions (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to take a lead, needed a field goal with 2 seconds left in regulation to stay alive, and defeated Minnesota, 29-26, in overtime last week. . . . Saquon Barkley raced 25 yards for the winning touchdown on Penn State's only play in the extra period. . . . The Nittany Lions' running game continued to struggle; Barkley had runs of 23 and 25 yards on two of his 20 carries, but gained just 15 yards on his other 18. . . . Even with problems there, the Lions offense had no sacks, no turnovers and no penalties. . . . On the other side of the ball, the defense also struggled against the rush, allowing Minnesota 228 yards on the ground, and will have its hands full against a Maryland run game that is ranked higher than that of the Golden Gophers. . . . Quarterback Trace McSorley accounted last week for 408 yards of total offense, passing for a career-high 335 yards. . . . Penn State's receiving corps will be strengthened by the return of Saeed Blacknall, who hasn't played since the season opener. . . . Free safety Marcus Allen was in on 22 tackles last week and was named co-defensive player of the week by the Big Ten. . . . Kicker Tyler Davis established a school record last week with his 17th consecutive successful field goal.

About Maryland: The Terrapins (4-0, 1-0), who are led by first-year head coach D.J. Durkin, stayed unbeaten last week with a 50-7 victory over Purdue in their Big Ten opener . . . They have scored a school-record 173 points in four games and have rushed the ball more than twice as much (185 plays) as passed it (90). . . . Maryland rushed for 400 yards last week with sophomore Ty Johnson picking up 204 yards in seven carries. Johnson has gained 333 yards on the season and is averaging 11.9 yards per carry. . . . The team is seventh in the nation in rushing yards per game (300.0). . . . The Terrapins, who committed 36 turnovers last season, went without a turnover in their first three games and have two for the 2016 season. . . . Perry Hills is a true dual threat at quarterback, having thrown for five touchdowns and rushed for two more. . . . Sophomore D.J. Moore, who starred at Imhotep, leads the team in receiving yards with 224 yards on 13 catches. . . . Defensively, the Terps rank 10th nationally in points allowed (14.5) and 24th in total defense (325.3). . . . Linemen Jesse Aniebonam and Roman Braglio are effective both defending the run and rushing the passer. . . . Defensive back William Lively is all over the field and excels in the return game.

- Joe Juliano

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