Penn State Nittany Lions vs Kent State Golden Flashes Football Preview

A week after being thrashed 24-3 at Alabama, the Penn State Nittany Lions look to bounce back against the Kent State Golden Flashes this Saturday.

Penn State has won 20 straight nonconference games at home, but the bigger focus for iconic coach Joe Paterno is to get his offense to execute crisply, especially in the red zone. True freshman quarterback Robert Bolden threw two interceptions in his first road start last week for Penn State.  He completed 13 of 29 passes, but he was particularly overwhelmed whenever his offensive unit sniffed the Alabama goal line.

The Lions’ running game has been unspectacular.  Starting tailback Evan Royster has 20 carries for 72 yards without a touchdown in 2010, and he needs to use this game against Kent State to establish newfound confidence. Running backs have to be decisive in hitting holes and making the most of plays, even if the offensive line is less than fully proven. Penn State has questions up front, but Royster is enough of a playmaker to be better than what he’s shown so far this year.  Backup Stephfon Green has carried 11 times for 45 yards this season, and if he can extend his four-yards-a-carry average well into the upcoming Autumn, he’ll wind up having himself a very respectable year.

Receiver Brett Brackett has caught nine passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.  Derek Moye has eight receptions for 130 yards. The Nittany Lions – one week after being kept out of the end zone – need to not only rediscover that touchdown-rich feeling against the Golden Flashes in Happy Valley; they need to finish drives. It’s worth noting that Penn State had a meager 16-7 lead at halftime in its first game against FCS-based Youngstown State. Kent State is a step up the ladder from Youngstown, so if PSU continues to remain mired in its red-zone struggles, this contest could remain uneasily close into the third quarter.

What might add to a certain sense of urgency in University Park, Pennsylvania, is the fact that Penn State gave up 144 yards to Alabama running back Trent Richardson last week. If PSU settles for a big stack of field goals against the visitors from the Mid-American Conference, Kent State could play keep-away with its rushing attack and shorten this contest to an uncomfortable degree for the fans who will pack Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

Kent State lost 26-13 at Boston College last week.  The Golden Flashes managed just 14 yards on the ground, as starting running back Eugene Jarvis missed the game with a groin injury.  Jarvis may also miss Saturday’s game, which would spell trouble for the Kent State offense against the tough, talented Penn State defense. Jarvis needs to be ready to play in order for the visitors to mount a serious challenge this weekend.

It’s also worth pointing out that Kent State turned the ball over five times at BC last Saturday, another reality that absolutely can’t be duplicated in this game versus Penn State.  Quarterback Spencer Keith completed 23 of 36 passing attempts for 201 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions, against Boston College. Those two interceptions have to get wiped off the stat sheet against the Nittany Lions. If Kent State continues to play loose with the pigskin, it’s asking for a big-time bruising in JoePa’s home stadium.

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