Penn State has an identity problem. Inconsistencies on offense and defense have kept the Nittany Lions from gaining their footing under new head coach Matt Campbell.
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“We lack who we want to be and where we need to be,” Campbell told reporters Tuesday.
USC (5-1 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) is still finding itself as well, but it’s farther along in that process than Penn State (3-2, 0-2). Saturday’s White Out game at Beaver Stadium could be a defining night for whichever team comes out on top.
There are a few distinct connections between these two programs, even though they’re across the country from one another, that add extra intrigue.
Former USC and UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn is now the coordinator at Penn State, and Campbell was nearly hired as the Trojans’ head coach in 2021.
Many USC players attended the White Out game on a recruiting visit, and linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson and defensive end Zuriah Fisher formerly played for the Nittany Lions.
“We’ve all seen the historical clip that goes around of the 2019 game against Michigan when they had to call the timeout on the first play,” Robinson said. “I always preached that. And they just gotta get ready and we have to communicate a lot. Everybody’s eyes are gonna have to be right.”
The betting odds are favoring the White Out by a slight margin, even though the game has yet to be announced as a sellout, but head coach Lincoln Riley is liking USC’s chances after last weekend’s comeback win over Washington.
“Some of the different things that we’ve done that got them ready, they trusted it in that moment and they were ready to go,” Riley said. “I think more importantly, probably the biggest thing it shows is the brotherhood within that locker room right now. Guys are willing to fight for one another.”
When Penn State has the ball
Quarterback Rocco Becht followed Campbell from Iowa State and is the winningest active FBS quarterback with 29 wins and 43 starts. But the dual-threat quarterback has struggled of late and has scored only one touchdown in the last two games while throwing three interceptions.
Campbell said the blame can’t be placed all on Becht.
“The lack of consistency around Rocco is certainly putting the spotlight on Rocco’s ability or inability at times to play with consistency,” he said, “and so I think the biggest thing is that that goes to a global approach to this.”
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Koby Williams, Penn State’s top receiver, is expected to miss the game due to injury. The run game splits carries between James Peoples and Carson Hansen, but that area of the Nittany Lions’ offense is shaky as well and has put up only two touchdowns in the last two games.
USC’s defense could be down two valuable pass rushers in defensive tackles Jahkeem Stewart and Jide Abasiri, who were listed as questionable on Thursday’s injury report.
The defense as a whole has been up-and-down throughout the first half of the season but finally had a breakthrough game against Washington, holding the Huskies to 319 yards of total offense.
They were also efficient on third downs, as Washington converted just 1 of 12 third-down situations.
When USC has the ball
Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for a season-low 245 yards against Washington, but is still completing 68.6% of his passes. It may be the run game, however, that USC turns to this weekend.
Penn State has an elite passing defense that’s holding teams to 119.6 yards per game and has collectively hauled in five interceptions. Cornerback Audavion Collins has broken up a conference-high seven passes and linebacker Tony Rojas is tied for second in tackles for loss with 7.5.
“D’Anton’s a really good coach and he’s always done a really good job with the secondary,” Riley said. “Guys are sticky in coverage. He’s got some depth at some of those positions and have been able to play some different guys and they’ve been able to get some production out of some of them.”
The same can’t be said of Penn State’s rushing defense, which is giving up 173.2 yards on the ground per game.
King Miller and Waymond Jordan are leading the Trojans with 504 and 269 yards, respectively, but have combined for only five touchdowns.
USC’s run game has produced 31 rushes of 10 or more yards, but has struggled to go for distances of 20 yards or more. Hitting gaps and rush lanes aggressively could get the Trojans the success and explosive plays they’ve wanted.
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No. 19 USC (5-1 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) at Penn State (3-2, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. PT Saturday
Where: Beaver Stadium, State College, Pa.
TV/Radio: NBC (Ch. 4)/710 AM