McSorley leaves Beaver Stadium in style
STATE COLLEGE – Penn State routed Maryland 38-3 on Saturday, giving it a chance for three consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since 1980-82. Here's what we learned from a rainy day at Beaver Stadium.
How it happened
Trace McSorley's final pass at Beaver Stadium fittingly went for a touchdown, capping a home career in which he extended his school-record victories total to 31.
McSorley began the game emboldened, hitting KJ Hamler for 34 yards on the opening play and then sprinting downfield to lead block on Miles Sanders' 35-yard gain. The quarterback looked as nimble running the ball as he has in weeks, rushing for two touchdowns in the first half.
But the big story for Penn State (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) was a defense that frustrated Maryland's potent run game. The Terps, who rushed for 692 yards the last two weeks, ran for 74 against the Lions.
The defensive line, which became a force during the season's second half, overwhelmed Maryland's offense. The team made 15 tackles for loss, with Yetur Gross-Matos (3½) turning in an all-Big Ten performance.
The big play
On his final pass at Beaver Stadium, McSorley floated a 5-yard touchdown to tight end Pat Freiermuth that gave the Lions a 31-3 lead. Though he had an uneven passing day (12-for-22, 230 yards), McSorley left with the perfect memory.
It was the 75th touchdown pass of his career and the 104th touchdown he was responsible in his career. McSorley also broke Penn State's career record for completions.
The quarterback said he felt “really good this week” and told his teammates prior to the game, “I promise you I'm going to leave everything out there today.”
“He's a great model for all of our young players and for college football in general for how you go about your business,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “He did it in high school, he's done it in college and he's going to do it at the next level, there's no doubt in my mind. … I wish I could get him for another four years.”
Who came through
Gross-Matos' 3½ tackles for loss gave him 20 on the season, adding the sophomore's name to some pretty elite company. Gross-Matos is tied for eighth on Penn State's single-season list with Bruce Clark (1978), Aaron Maybin (2008) and LaVar Arrington (1999).
Freshman back Ricky Slade rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns, looking like the highly ranked prospect Penn State recruited.
Receiver Juwan Johnson returned after missing more than three games with an injury. Johnson caught a 38-yard pass in the third quarter, his first reception in five games.
What we learned
Penn State's defensive line, which had early season questions due to injuries and inexperience, blossomed into the team's strength. Gross-Matos and Shareef Miller are among the Big Ten's best tandems, and tackle Kevin Givens quietly commands a strong middle presence.
Miles Sanders has a self-described issue with ball security, which surfaced again Saturday. The running back lost his fourth fumble of the season (and seventh of his career) on an otherwise strong carry that took him over 100 yards for the game. Sanders finished with 128.
Center Michal Menet missed his first game of the season with an undisclosed injury. Connor McGovern returned to center, where he played last year, and Mike Miranda made his first start at right guard. The redshirt freshman held his own in the run game.
Penn State has outscored Maryland 104-6 in their last two meetings.
Attendance: 98,422
Up next: Penn State will play in a bowl game for the fifth consecutive year. Bids will be announced Dec. 2.
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