University Park– It would be fair to call Penn State football special teams’ performance Saturday against Purdue at Beaver Stadium a mixed bag.
The good happened on PSU’s first possession of the game.
Facing a 4th and 3 at the Purdue 20, Penn State brought the field goal team out.
But instead of kicking, PSU called a fake.
Punter Nathan Tiyce, who doubles as Penn State’s holder, tossed the ball to tight end Ben Brahmer. Brahmer ran for a first down, and Penn State scored two plays later on a 4-yard pass from Rocco Becht to Andrew Rappleyea, capping a 12-play, 96-yard drive that took 6:06.
This marked the first time Penn State jumped out to a 7-0 lead since Sept. 26 against Wisconsin, which was more than a month ago.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.The bad happened in the second quarter.
Penn State lined up to punt, and Purdue’s Bisi Owens blocked it. Jalil Hall recovered it for a touchdown, and the ensuing PAT tied the game.
PSU has had its fair share of issues, which has led to its four-game losing streak. But special teams hasn’t been one of them. Kicker Ryan Barker came into the Purdue game 11-for-13 in field goals on the season and a perfect 21-for-21 on extra points. Tiyce has done a solid job in his first season as punter, with 12 of his 31 punts landing inside the 20 and eight landing inside the 10.
For Penn State to turn things around this year, special teams will likely have to play a big part.
