If Maryland fans are looking for redemption the score will actually be almost equivalent in February when the two basketball teams meet. Maryland basketball looks as dangerous to Penn State as Penn State football looks to Maryland.

The daunting task of Maryland of staying relevant in football looked easier last year as they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. A game that had more etiquette issues than actual football fundamentals. In the context of the national scene that’s what makes it interesting. People want a soap opera, not a football game. Although as it stands Penn State leads the legacy 37-2-1 most of these games are blowouts so its best to focus on the drama.

Penn State failed to deliver any drama, unless your into redemption stories. Saquon Barkley had the most redemptive game. In the 2015 game the Maryland Terps turned Barkley around a lot, holding him to 65 yds in 20 carries. This game was way different for Barkley. He posted his first 200-yard rushing game and seventh career 100-yard effort with 202 yards on the ground. He became the 15th different Nittany Lion to eclipse the 200-yard mark. Barkley moved into 22nd on the career rushing charts with his performance, jumping six spots in the game. He ended the afternoon with 1,658 career yards on the ground. So, yeah I guess you could say he had a good day.

What about the rest of the offense. They had a good game too. Penn State’s 524 yards of total offense are the most since posting 574 against Eastern Michigan in 2013. The 524 yards of total offense are the most in a Big Ten game since having 546 yards against Indiana in 2012. The Nittany Lions ran for 372 yards vs. Maryland, the fourth-most rushing yards in a game in last 20 years. It is the most in a game since producing 389 vs. Youngstown State in 2006 and most against a FBS opponent since 2002 (Michigan State, 390).

Some offensive notable stats:

Sophomore QB Trace McSorley accounted for 233 yards of total offense – 152 passing and 81 rushing.

Junior TE Mike Gesicki caught his second touchdown pass of the season and third of his career on Penn State’s opening drive. All three of his touchdowns have been scored in Beaver Stadium.

Sophomore WR DeAndre Thompkins caught a career-long 70-yard pass for his second career touchdown at the end of the third quarter. He ended the game with career highs in receptions (4) and receiving yards (91).

Junior WR DaeSean Hamilton extended his streak to 32 consecutive games with a catch, the longest streak since Bobby Engram (1993-95) caught at least one pass in 36 straight games. He had two catches for 35 yards.

QB Tommy Stevens set career highs with four rushing attempts and 36 rushing yards. Tommy Stevens has a very bright future at Penn State, although I am very biased on this player since most of what I can see, most others can’t.

Let’s talk defense:

Penn State held Maryland well below its season averages entering the game. The Terps were averaging 43.2 points per game, while allowing just 14.5. They rushed for an average of 300 yards in the first four games before being held to 170 rushing yards and 270 yards of total offense (466.2 average). The Nittany Lions had five plays of at least 20 yards in the first half, finishing the game with seven. They now have 35 such plays from scrimmage on the season. Penn State has allowed a total of 21 third-quarter points through six games this season, an average of 3.5 points in the third stanza. Maryland was shut out in the second half.  

Some defensive notable stats:

In his first career start, sophomore LB Koa Farmer earned his first career sack and forced fumble in the second quarter. He ended the day with career highs in tackles (5), tackles for loss (1.5), sacks (1) and forced fumbles (1). A scary trend in Penn State Football, Koa is the 13th starter this season. Injuries and recruiting hopefully won’t suffer.

Sophomore DE Torrence Brown came up with his second career fumble recovery on Farmer’s forced fumble.  

Junior LB Brandon Smith came up with his first career interception, picking off Maryland QB Perry Hills at the Penn State 45 with 2:06 to play in the first quarter.

Junior DT Tyrell Chavis posted his first career tackle for loss when he took down Maryland’s Lorenzo Harrison in the third quarter for a loss of four yards.

Redshirt freshman DT Kevin Givens posted the first full sack of his career with a fourth quarter takedown of Tyrrell Pigrome. He now has 1.5 sacks on the season.

Sophomore CB John Reid third career tackle-for-loss and second of the season in the second quarter.

Senior DE Evan Schwan posted his second career sack in the first quarter. Schwan had his first career quarterback takedown last Saturday vs. Minnesota.

Penn State will see a bye next week, and they will need it. The stats will look much different in two weeks when they take on Ohio State.