#11 Washington (10-2) vs #9 Penn State (10-2)
Saturday, 1 p.m. (Pacific time)
University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Line: Penn State -2
TV: ESPN Radio: KOMO
The No. 11 ranked Washington Huskies (10-2) will be making their first appearance in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on Saturday afternoon. The Huskies will be taking on the No. 9 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2).
“It’s not just any one phase, it’s all phases that they show up in,” Coach Petersen said Friday morning about the No. 9 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. “And we’ll have to play our best ball to compete well with these guys.”
Washington in many ways is one play away from being in the College Football Playoff, while also being one play away from being in the Alamo Bowl or Holiday Bowl. The Huskies’ only losses came to Arizona State and Stanford. Both losses came by a combined 14 points. On the other hand, UW was fortunate to sneak out a 33-30 win over Utah after scoring 10 points in the final 58 seconds.
The Huskies, although not as explosive as last year on offense, have been a solid unit this season. Despite battling key injuries, Washington’s 36.9 points per game ranks No. 16 in the nation. Like Penn State, the Huskies feature a balanced offense. Washington averages 221.8 yards per game passing and 189.8 yards rushing per game.
Washington’s “Death Row” defense once again is one of the best in college football. The Huskies’ defense has the best rushing defense in the country – allowing just 92.3 yards per game on the ground. UW has held opponents to 20 points or less, seven times this season. Washington allows 14.5 points per game – ranking UW No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense.
Penn State blew two 18-point leads against Ohio State back in late October, to lose 39-38, in heartbreaking fashion in Columbus, Ohio. The Nittany Lions’ playoff and Big Ten title hopes came crashing down the next week, in a 27-24 loss at Michigan State. But Penn State rallied and won their final three games by a combined score of 157-53.
“This is a tremendous opportunity, a tremendous game,” Penn State head coach James Frankin said Friday morning. “I think you’ve got two teams that are playing really well that were both a part of (playoff) these types of conversations and are both highly motivated. I think it’s a great opportunity for football fans across the country, and I think it’s a great opportunity for both of our organizations.”
The Nittany Lions bring one of the top offenses in college football to the desert. Penn State’s 285.8 passing yards per game ranks No. 25 in the nation. With All-American running back Saquon Barkley in the backfield, PSU is averaging 167.4 yards on the ground. The Nittany Lions have struggled at times blocking but have still scored at least 21 points in every game this season. Penn State’s 41.6 points per game ranks No. 9 in the country.
Penn State also brings one of the top defenses to Glendale as well. In five of PSU’s 12 games this season they have held opponents under 10 points, including two shutouts.The Nittany Lions are allowing just 15.5 points per game – which ranks No. 7 in the nation.
Key players: Washington
(RB) Myles Gaskin
The 5-foot-10, 191-pound junior will have an extremely tough decision at the end of the season on whether or not he should go to the NFL or not. Myles Gaskin has rushed for over 1,000 yards in all three seasons at Washington. This season has been Gaskin’s best, rushing for 1,282 yards and 19 touchdowns. Myles Gaskin ranks No. 3 all-time in UW rushing yards with 3,957. Gaskin needs 150 yards to pass Napoleon Kaufman to become Washington’s all-time leading rusher.
(QB) Jake Browning
Junior quarterback Jake Browning threw for 43 touchdowns in 2016. This season has been a different story for Browning, who has thrown for just 18 touchdowns. With John Ross in the NFL and multiple injuries on offense, the Huskies’ offense has failed to match the explosive plays they created a year ago. But Jake Browning comes into this game highly motivated with a chance to win a big time bowl game.
(DT) Vita Vea
The 6-foot-5, 340-pound, All-American will likely being playing his last game at Washington. Vita Vea could be a top-10 pick in the 2018 NFL draft if he decides to leave. Vea has 38 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. His stats might not stand out but all you have to do is watch the film to understand how important Vita Vea is to Washington’s defense. Facing double teams on most snaps, Vea continues to be a headache for opposing offenses.
Key players: Penn State
(RB) Saquon Barkley
All-American running Saquon Barkley was a Heisman favorite earlier in the season before a few tough games. Every 12th touch for Barkley this season, has gone for a TD. Saquon Barkley has 1,057 yards rushing and 594 yards receiving. Barkley also has two kickoff return touchdowns. Barkley’s 144.95 all-purpose yards per game ranks No. 2 in the FBS. In Penn State’s two losses this season, Barkley combined for just 107 yards on the ground.
(QB) Trace McSorley
The 6-foot, 195-pound dual-threat quarterback is having another great season for the Nittany Lions. Through the air, McSorley has passed for 26 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. On the ground, McSorley has rushed for 431 yards and 11 touchdowns. McSorley’s ability to extend plays with his legs will be a key for PSU on Saturday.
(DB) Marcus Allen
First-team All-Big-Ten safety, Marcus Allen, has 65 tackles this season. In a game last season against Minnesota, Allen recorded an outstanding 22 tackles. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound senior will look to go out with a bang in the Fiesta Bowl.
Keys to the game for Washington:
1. Limit Barkley
There’s no doubt that Saquon Barkley will have his moments on Saturday, but the Huskies must limit those big plays. Washington has limited big plays all season and that can’t change in the Fiesta Bowl.
2. Keep McSorley in the pocket
The Huskies at times struggled to keep Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley in the pocket earlier in the season and will have to do a better job at it against Trace McSorley. Keeping McSorley in the pocket will make it that much more difficult for Penn State.
3. Find a balance on offense
Washington has relied heavily on Myles Gaskin and the ground game this season and understandably so. But Penn State is probably the best defense UW has seen this year. Getting the ground game going early and having success in the play action pass game will be key for the Huskies on offense.
Game Notes
* Washington is 18-18-1 all-time in bowl games
* Penn State is 2-0 all-time against Washington. The Nittany Lions beat UW 21-7 in 1921 in Seattle. Washington also lost to Penn State in the 1983 Aloha Bowl, 13-10.
* UW hasn’t allowed a run over 35 yards or a pass over 40 yards this season
* Chris Petersen has a 6-4 bowl record as a head coach
* This is Washington’s eighth straight season going to a bowl game
Prediction
The main objective will be for the Huskies to contain Saquon Barkley while also keeping Trace McSorley in the pocket. Easier said than done. On offense, Washington will have to establish a running game against a very stout Penn State defense. There’s been a lot of talk about Washington failing to win “the big game” but I think they silence that talk on Saturday in a barn burner.
Washington 24 Penn State 21
