Purdue @ Penn State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 4, 2008 ) Penn State 20, Purdue 6

THE STORY: While Penn State’s quarterback situation remains in flux, there is no uncertainty about how good running back Silas Redd and the Nittany Lion defense has been early this season.

As the Nittany Lions continue to rotate Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden at quarterback, Redd – the Big Ten’s third-ranked rusher – ran for a career-high 142 yards to complement a stingy defense that recorded a season-high five sacks in a 13-3 win over Iowa last Saturday. In addition to Redd’s third 100-yard rushing performance of the season, the defense held its fifth opponent to 10 points or fewer in six contests.

Like Penn State, the Boilermakers rely on a strong rushing attack. Purdue is ranked 20th in the nation in rushing despite not having a single individual ranked higher than 14th in the Big Ten. The multi-headed attack was on display as 10 different players contributed to the rushing attack in a 217-yard effort during Purdue’s 45-17 rout of Minnesota last week.

Penn State holds a 10-3-1 series advantage and has won the last four meetings.

TV: Big Ten Network LINE: Penn State - 12

ABOUT PURDUE (3-2, 1-0 Big Ten): The Boilermakers have turned the ball over just three times in their first five games. Four players have surpassed 100 rushing yards for the season and six have rushed for at least one touchdown.

ABOUT PENN STATE (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten): The Nittany Lions are ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense and have already forced 14 turnovers this season, just three fewer than all of last season. In its victory over Iowa, Penn State held the Hawkeyes 35 points and 168 yards below their season averages.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Boilermakers are 9-1 during head coach Danny Hope’s three-year tenure in which they rush for 200 or more yards.

2. The last time the Nittany Lions held five of their first six opponents to 10 points or less was 1978, when they played Alabama for the National Championship.

3. Joe Paterno’s 406 career wins – the best mark in FBS history – are third on the NCAA list, two behind second-place Eddie Robinson (Grambling).

PREDICTION: Penn State 20, Purdue 6 -- As proficient as the Boilermakers have been on the ground, they lack the offensive balance to enjoy any kind of sustained success against a smothering Nittany Lion defense.