The UMass Minutemen can not ignore the elephant on the schedule.
After falling quick in three consecutive residence video games, UMass (1-6) hits the street to interact probably the most daunting opponent it should have confronted since shifting as much as FBS in 2012.
The Minutemen will attain the two-thirds level on the season after they journey to University Park, Pa., to confront the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0, 3-0) at historic Beaver Stadium, capability 106,572. Penn State was unranked when it beat UMass 48-8 on Sept., 20, 2014.
UMass is coming off an 41-24 residence loss to Toledo at McGuirk Stadium whereas Penn State simply dispatched Northwestern 41-13 at Ryan Field. The UMass recreation would be the Lions’ tuneup for his or her Big 10 showdown at No. 3 Ohio State on Oct. 21.
UMass performed in a giant home in its 59-14 loss at Auburn on Sept. 2. But exhausting expertise has taught UMass coach Don Brown that Happy Valley is the loudest and most vitriolic venue within the Northeast. Brown visited Beaver Stadium just a few instances when he was Jim Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator at Michigan.
“The place is going to be packed, there is going to be over 100,000 people there,” stated Brown. “You’ve bought to be a giant boy and put your large boy pants on and go to work.
“It is really simple. You focus your attention at the task at hand. Stay in the fight for 60 minutes and that kind of the deal. That is the approach you’ve to take. It is not rocket science.”
What just isn’t easy is designing a recreation aircraft that may counter the Nittany Lions’ methodically balanced offense and shutdown protection. Penn State has averaged 40.60 factors per recreation with 203 first downs and has given up 9.60 factors per recreation and noticed the chains moved in opposition to its protection 48 instances, lower than 10 per contest.
The Lions have rushed for 1,205 yards and allowed 542, greater than double what the protection has given up. Penn State has thrown for 1,178 yards and given up 698.
“They are 50-50 in the run pass ratio so you are going to have to have balance,” stated Brown. “Obviously, you have to do a great job in the run game on the early downs and on third down. You better be ready to handle it because they throw it around pretty good.”
The Lions’ defensive entrance seven has recorded 20 sacks whereas the offensive line has allowed three. Quarterback Drew Allar has accomplished 102 of 168 passes (64.56 %) for 1,092 yards with 9 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
“The thing I like about their quarterback is that he does a very good job of just dumping the ball down and getting it out of his hand,” stated Brown. “He gives the receivers a chance to make first downs and that is kind of a big one.”
UMass confirmed a workable steadiness on offense in opposition to Toledo. Tailback Kay’Ron Adams rushed for 157 yards on 20 carries with a landing. Quarterback Taison Phommachanh accomplished 20-of-30 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
Source: www.bostonherald.com