USC wide receiver Tanook Hines didn’t need many words to add some extra juice to Saturday night’s matchup with Penn State.
Asked Tuesday what stood out to him about the Nittany Lions’ secondary, Hines offered a blunt response.
“What stands out about Penn State’s secondary to you?”
“Nothing much for real,” Hines said. “Probably just the stadium.”
It is a bold assessment considering Penn State enters Saturday’s White Out with one of the nation’s best statistical pass defenses.
The Nittany Lions rank third nationally and first in the Big Ten in passing defense, allowing just 119.6 yards per game through five games. Penn State has also produced a plus-six turnover margin, which ranks 13th nationally.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Cornerback Audavion Collins has been particularly productive. His seven pass breakups are tied for fourth nationally.
Hines and USC, however, present easily the most significant challenge that secondary has faced.
The Trojans enter Beaver Stadium averaging 311.7 passing yards per game, while quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten with 1,744 passing yards and 15 touchdown passes.
Hines has emerged as one of Maiava’s weapons. Against Washington, he caught five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, with four of his five receptions resulting in either a first down or score.
Now his comments provide another storyline for a White Out Penn State desperately needs to win.
The secondary Hines said doesn’t particularly stand out will get its opportunity to respond Saturday night on the field, and inside the stadium that apparently does.
