Penn State vs. Oregon State preview

#19 Penn State Welcomes Oregon State

BY THE NUMBERS: #19 Penn State Welcomes Oregon State

Date: Saturday, September 6th
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Beaver Stadium / State College, PA

After an impressive 66-10 victory over FCS opponent Coastal Carolina last week, the Nittany Lions have quickly turned their focus to this weekend’s matchup against Pac-10 foe, Oregon State.

The Beavers lost their season opener in a 36-28 shootout with Stanford last Thursday, but dominated the Cardinal statistically. Quarterback Lyle Moevao threw for more than 400 yards on 34-54 passing, while veteran wide receivers Sammie Stroughter and Shane Morales caught a combined 25 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Even the Oregon State defense held its own allowing 301 total yards and only 91 yards through the air.

If the Nittany Lions are going to win this week, they will need to exploit an Oregon State team that allowed 210 yards on the ground to Stanford and showed signs of discipline problems by committing 12 penalties for more than 100 yards.

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Let’s take a closer look at the numbers:

• 334 - Penn State rushed for 334 yards against Coastal Carolina last week as eight different running backs recorded a carry. Stephfon Green, Evan Royster, Chaz Powell and Brent Carter all rushed for more than 60 yards against the Chanticleers. Expect more of the same from the Nittany Lions this week.
• 78.6 - Senior quarterback Daryll Clark was an accurate 11-14 passing or 78.6 percent in his debut as the Nittany Lions’ signal caller. He threw for 146 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Clark will face a more difficult test this week, however, against a Beaver secondary that allowed only 91 passing yards against Stanford.
• 13 - While the Penn State running attack was the focus of conversation following last Saturday’s game, do not overlook the Lions’ passing game. Thirteen wide receivers caught a pass for the blue and white against Coastal Carolina led by Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood and Deon Butler who combined for eight receptions, 148 yards and one touchdown in limited playing time.
• 373 - Joe Paterno tied Bobby Bowden with his 373rd win last week – tied for the most wins all-time. Paterno will look to pass Bowden this weekend as Florida State hosts Western Carolina.

Notes: Derrick Williams returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and returned two punts for 20 yards against Coastal Carolina last week... Senior kicker Kevin Kelly was a perfect 1/1 on field goal attempts and 7/7 on extra point attempts in week one... The Penn State defense recorded four sacks and one interception against the Chanticleers... Penn State players Maurice Evans, Abe Koroma and Andrew Quarless will miss Saturday's game against Oregon State after police found marijuana in their apartment earlier this week.

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by Chris Goodrich
BigTen-fans.com Penn State Correspondent

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