Penn State @ Syracuse preview

Nittany Lions travel to Syracuse to face the winless Orange

BY THE NUMBERS: #17 Penn State Visits Syracuse

Date: Saturday, September 13th
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Carrier Dome / Syracuse, NY

Suspensions and off-field issues aside, the Nittany Lions were impressive once again with a 45-14 win over visiting Oregon State last Saturday. Let’s be honest, it won’t get much more difficult this week. Penn State travels to the Carrier Dome this Saturday to play its first road game against a Syracuse team that has lost its first two games, Northwestern and Akron, respectively, by a combined 34 points.

Following their season opening loss at Northwestern in week one, the Orange struggled in a lackluster 42-28 defeat at home against Akron last Saturday. The Orange never led in the game and relinquished 478 total yards to the Zips. Two players that Penn State will have its eye on this week are QB Cameron Dantley and RB Curtis Brinkley, who have carried the Syracuse offense so far this season.

Since coming to Syracuse in 2005, Coach Greg Robinson is 7-30 as head coach of the Orange. The program has struggled and some fans debate whether this may be Coach Robinson’s last year at the helm. Look for the Nittany Lions to roll again this week by taking advantage of Syracuse’s lack of talent, depth and experience at almost every position.

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Let’s take a closer look at the numbers:

• 111 - Penn State has scored 111 points in its first two games for an average of 55.5 points per game. This bodes well against a Syracuse defense that has given up 72 points in its first two games for an average of 36 points per game.

• 573 - The Nittany Lions’ running attack has amassed 573 yards on the ground so far this season, which leads the Big Ten conference. RB Evan Royster has been fantastic, but most of the credit goes to a powerful offensive line anchored by seniors A.Q. Shipley and Rich Ohrnberger. Penn State should exploit a Syracuse defense that has allowed 487 rushing yards through two games this season.

• 0 - Penn State QB Daryll Clark has been solid in his first two games as the signal caller. He has completed 68 percent of his passes for 367 yards, three touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Watch out for Clark this weekend against an Orange secondary that has given up 475 yards through the air in two games this season.

• 8 - The Nittany Lions have seen 8 different players cross the goal line this season: QB Daryll Clark, RB Evan Royster, RB Stephfon Green, RB Brandon Beachum, WR Jordan Norwood, WR Derrick Williams and TE Mickey Shuler. This is the kind of depth that coaches dream of and Penn State may increase that number against Syracuse this weekend.

Notes: Penn State TE Andrew Quarless had his suspension lifted prior to last Saturday’s game against Oregon State but saw limited action... Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes is out for the year after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee... Penn State and Syracuse first played in 1922 and met every season up to 1990... The Nittany Lions hold a 40-23-5 advantage in the series...

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by Chris Goodrich
BigTen-fans.com Penn State Correspondent

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