Penn State’s ground game finally looked like the version the Nittany Lions had been waiting for.
After two underwhelming weeks from the running backs, Saturday’s 55-13 win over Buffalo brought the burst, balance and big-play punch Penn State had been chasing. The Nittany Lions rolled up 304 rushing yards against the Bulls, just seven fewer than the previous two games combined, and every one of their four running backs averaged more than seven yards a carry.
Matt Campbell pointed to both the runners and the people clearing the way.
“All four guys really did some great things with the ball in their hands at some critical moment,” Campbell said postgame. “I thought there was growth, but I also thought there was growth because there was some really good blocking on the perimeter. The ability to get the ball in space and for those guys to be able to make some plays happen was awesome.”
The production came in waves. Carson Hansen and James Peoples both found the end zone for the first time as Nittany Lions.
Cam Wallace added a 59-yard touchdown run. Even wide receiver Koby Howard got in on it with a 20-yard rushing score.
Quinton Martin Jr. was the headliner anyway. He led Penn State with 100 rushing yards and averaged a team-best 10 yards per carry, even though he didn’t score. His biggest run was a 61-yard sprint down the sideline before he tripped and went down at the 7-yard line.
“I already know (Martin) can do that, he knows he can do that,” linebacker Alex Tatsch said. “Just saw it on display today.”
Martin’s day stood out even more because he didn’t play a snap against Temple last week. Against Buffalo, Penn State used the full room, after opening Week 1 against Marshall with all four backs and leaning more heavily on Hansen against Temple. This time, the ball kept moving around, and the rhythm built on itself.
“We see the blood, sweat, and tears every time,” Martin said. “Just seeing our brothers go out there and be successful gives each of us energy. That gives us momentum.”
That energy carried into the offensive line, too. Vaea Ikakoula said the backs’ performance “fired up” the group up front, and he liked the way they ran with edge and toughness.
“You want to get those guys in the end zone,” Ikakoula said. “It brings me a lot of joy when I see those guys have big success and those big runs when they get to score.”
Still, Martin wasn’t ready to call it a finished product. He said the running back room still has “some ways to go” before it’s ready for a Big Ten defense.
The next test comes quickly, with Wisconsin waiting in the conference opener. Martin made it clear the standard has to rise again.
“We’ve got to be urgent,” Martin said. “We’ve got to be violent because we’ve got Wisconsin next week. That's gonna be no walk in the park, so we definitely gotta step forward.”
In Other News...
Penn State Has A New Injury Worry Before Wisconsin
Penn State came out of its Week 3 win over Buffalo with a couple of fresh concerns, even if the immediate outlook sounds relatively manageable. Starting center Brock Riker and tight end Andrew Rappleyea both went down in the first half, briefly thinning out two spots the Nittany Lions would rather keep stable as the schedule tightens.
Head coach Matt Campbell called both players dinged up and said neither injury appears serious, adding that either one likely could have returned if the game had demanded it. Still, with Wisconsin next on the Big Ten slate, Penn State will be watching closely to make sure both are ready, because the margin for error gets a lot smaller once conference play starts to bite. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Suddenly Has A Tight End Concern Fans Know Too Well
Penn States passing game took a hit in Week 3 when Andrew Rappleyea left the Buffalo game in the first half with a right shoulder injury and did not return. The tight end room has been a point of emphasis in the offense, and losing a player in that spot can ripple through both the run game and the short passing game, especially early in the season when roles are still settling.
The good news for the Nittany Lions is that there is no shortage of options waiting behind him. Gabe Burkle, Benjamin Brahmer and Finn Furmanek are all available to absorb snaps and keep the position group moving, even as the team waits for more clarity on Rappleyeas status. Penn State could also be monitoring the health of starting center Brock Riker, who left the game earlier and did not return, though it is still unclear whether his exit was injury-related. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Found A New Playmaker Fans Will Be Talking About
Penn States 55-13 win over Buffalo at Beaver Stadium gave the Nittany Lions plenty to like beyond the final score, and one of the biggest takeaways was the emergence of Koby Howard as a new offensive spark. Howard found the end zone in more than one way, breaking loose for a 20-yard rushing touchdown and later turning a pass into a 70-yard receiving score, the kind of all-purpose burst that tends to stick with a fan base.
The supporting cast did its part, too, as Caleb Bacon and Yvan Kemajou helped set the tone defensively with tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Zay Robinson also added value in the return game with meaningful punt return yardage, giving Penn State another layer of field-position help in a game that looked comfortable but still offered a few fresh names worth watching as the season builds. [Read more 🡒]