Report Card: Grading the Nittany Lions after a win against Rutgers

Report Card: Grading Penn State’s victory over Rutgers, where the defense and special teams earn high honors

Defense: A+

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State pitched a shutout at home against a Rutgers team scrambling for their bowl eligibility, and everyone had a part in it. Arnold Ebiketie made some big plays up front. Jaquan Brisker broke up some passes. Jonathan Sutherland came up with an interception. And Penn Stae was forcing Rutgers to punt the ball all game long.

Rutgers was held to just 161 yards of total offense and was just 4-of-15 on third down. Penn State allowed just 10 first downs in the game and Rutgers failed to score any points on their only red zone trip when they failed to convert on 4th-and-3 on the Penn State eight-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

NEXT: Special Teams