Inside the box score: The one key stat where Penn State actually beat Wisconsin

Inside the box score: Penn State had no business winning at Wisconsin if you just glanced briefly at the box score

Penn State celebrated a hard-fought victory on the road against Wisconsin, coming out with a 16-10 victory against the Badgers. After the game, head coach James Franklin said in a postgame interview on the field he suspected this game might drive fans of analytics a little crazy because the box score sure tells a different story outside of the final score.

Wisconsin out-gained Penn State 359-297. The Badgers had just shy of 30 first downs (29) while Penn State managed just 11 for the entire game (and had just one at halftime). And Wisconsin kept Penn State’s defense on the field for 42 minutes and 51 seconds.

But Penn State won the turnover battle, 3-0, and made the plays it needed when they needed them the most. So go ahead and scoff at the box score, because the final score is ultimately the only stat that matters.

Here are some key box score stats from the game.

Penn State Offense

Sean Clifford – 18/33, 257 yards and a touchdown

Sean Clifford didn’t look great in the first half. Granted, neither did the rest of the Penn State offense. However, he really started get a rhythm in the second half in a new and revamped offense under Mike Yurcich.

Noah Cain – 8 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown

Cain started to get more comfortable in the second half and after watching this offense today, they need to feed him the ball more.

Jahan Dotson – 5 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown

As mentioned, Penn State’s offense didn’t really find their groove until the second half and Dotson was a big part of that. He was one of the only playmakers for their offense today, starting with a 49-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.

NEXT: A look at Penn State’s defensive stats

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Penn State defense delivers vs. Wisconsin and sets tone for 2021

Penn State’s defense was challenged all game long, and they answered the call just about every single darn time against the Badgers.

Penn State’s defense turned in one of the gutsiest performances they have in a number of years. And it needed it.

Penn State opened the season in one of the toughest spots to start a season, on the road against Wisconsin with fans fired up to be back in the stands and jumping around in Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin’s defense has been one of the best defenses in the Big Ten in recent years, but Penn State’s defense was the one making the biggest plays in the season-opening 16-10 victory.

Penn State forced three turnovers, including a game-sealing interception by Ji’Ayir Brown in the closing moments. For a defense that gave up 365 yards and 29 first downs, it was all about bending and not breaking. Penn State’s defense bent, but they absolutely would not break.

Jaquan Brisker, Penn State’s All-America-caliber safety, fought through discomfort and injury concerns all game long, coming back on the field all four times he required some degree of medical attention either on the field or on the sideline, or both, And Brisker made some terrific plays in the fourth quarter, including a big pass breakup on a first down to setup a third and long that helped draw a punt by the Badgers.

Defensive end Arnold Ebekitie left the game at one point and headed to the locker room for additional treatment, but he returned to get right back into the mix in the trenches as well.

Despite being on the football field for over 20 minutes in the first half, Penn State’s defense came up big when it needed it the most. Two Wisconsin red zone trips in the first half netted zero points with a blocked field goal and Nick Tarburton pouncing on a botched handoff exchange by Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz.

For a game that was absolutely stellar by the defense, it was the timing of the lone Wisconsin touchdown drive that felt like a blow. Penn State’s defense forced a three-and-out on the first series of the second half and Jahan Dotson gave Penn State a 7-0 lead with a 49-yard reception from Sean Clifford on a busted play by the Badgers defense. But Wisconsin’s offense returned the favor with a 10-play drive spanning 75 yards for a game-tying score.

In the grand scheme of things, the timing of the touchdown drive doesn’t really matter. But having a shutdown defensive series netting zero points would have been good to see in that particular spot.

Penn state’s defense was on the field for nearly 43 minutes (42:51, officially). This isn’t a service academy we’re talking about. It was Wisconsin. Allowing just 10 points and coming up with as many red zone stops as they did gets this season starting on the right foot.

Now, a path to a 4-0 September lays in Happy Valley with the next three games at home, including a primetime showdown with Auburn in Week 3. This was one Penn State needed to set the right tone. That tone was set by the defense.

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Top 21 players for the Nittany Lions entering 2021

Penn State football returns soon. Who are the key players to watch for the Nittany Lions in 2021?

Penn State enters the 2021 college football season with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. Following a rare losing season played during a pandemic, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are eager to prove they are better than their 2020 record would indicate. With a challenging schedule right out of the gate, Penn State will have plenty of opportunities to prove itself to the masses this fall.

And they will do so with enough talent on the roster to make some things happen. With experience at quarterback, one of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten, and one of the nation’s top defensive secondaries to rely on, there are a lot of good ingredients for a successful season in Happy Valley. Every position has a chance to play a key role in the fortunes of Penn State this season too.

Here is a look at 21 key players Penn State has on the roster in 2021, listed in no particular order.

16 days until Penn State football 2021 season opener

With 16 days to go until Penn State football returns, here’s a look at who is wearing No. 16 in Happy Valley.

We are 16 days away from Penn State football!

Yesterday, we talked about a current player in Mason Stahl. Today, we will learn a little bit more about the current number 16 for the Nittany Lions, Ji’Ayir Brown.

Brown was a three-star player who grew up in Trenton, New Jersey. He was the 11th ranked JUCO player in his recruiting class and the top one in the state of New Jersey, according to 247 Sports.

As mentioned, Brown spent his first two collegiate years playing at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His biggest offer came from Penn State, where he eventually committed to play in the class of 2020.

Brown started to make a name for himself last season. He played in nine games and was one of 21 players to make their collegiate debuts. Brown displays a lot of versatility for that Penn State secondary. He played corner his first two years until he was recruited to play safety at State College.

Brown knows what it’s like to be a part of a winning team. During his first two years at Lackawanna College, he lead them to the championship game as well as guided them to winning the El Toro Bowl with a perfect 11-0 record.

Of the nine games Brown played in last year, he was very productive against quite a few Big Ten teams, including Ohio State and Iowa.

He is currently projected to start at free safety this season. From being a star player at his junior college to earning a starting role for the Nittany Lions, JUCO players like Brown have such an awesome story to follow. He will be a key contributor to Penn State’s defense that looks to bounce back this season, starting in 16 days.

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2021 Penn State depth chart projection: Safety

The status of the safety position at Penn State is pretty good. Projecting the depth chart in 2021…

The safety position together with the defensive backs assembled in Happy Valley is giving Penn State great confidence in the stability and performance of its defensive secondary. Like the defensive backs, Penn State received terrific offseason news with Jaquan Brisker announcing his decision to return for one more season in the blue and white, giving the Nittany Lions one of the best at his position, not just on the team but in the entire Big Ten and, arguably, the nation.

Brisker’s return was a significant one for the Nittany Lions. Having the luxury of having a talent with early NFL draft round projections gives Penn State a valuable asset in the defense. And like the defensive backs bringing back Tariq Castro-Fields, this allows Penn State to work the roster a little bit to address some other possible areas of concern with regard to depth and playmakers.

Penn State will be led with senior players at the safety position no matter who gets paired with Brisker, and the future of the position is already looking to be in solid shape.

So, with all of that in mind, here’s a look at how the safety position may pan out for the Nittany Lions this fall.

Penn State announces 2021 spring football awards

Freshman Kalen King and veterans Sean Clifford and Tariq Castro-Fields were among the spring winners for Penn State football practices.

Penn State brought their spring football practices to a close on Friday evening in Beaver Stadium in front of a limited number of fans. Before James Franklin and his staff get too deep into their next stages of the offseason schedule, Penn State coaches handed out their post-spring awards to players who stood out this spring.

Freshman Kalen King certainly left a big impact on the coaching staff with an impressive spring, and veteran leaders like Sean Clifford and Tariq Castro-Fields have continued to display their leadership skills on and off the practice field.

Here is a look at the Penn State spring football award winners, as announced by the program on Monday.