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Nittany Lions Battle Fighting Irish in Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal Preview)




No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1, FBS Independents) vs. No. 6 Penn State (11-2, 8-0 Big Ten)

Date: Thursday, January 9

Time: 7:30 PM

Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)

Coverage


Storylines

Message to Fighting Irish: Join a Conference

Penn State head coach James Franklin expressed in a press conference stating that Notre Dame, as well as every FBS team, should be part of a conference. To further elaborate, he stated that everybody should “play the same number of conference games”. (Source: Sports Illustrated)


Carter Likely a Game-Time Decision

Junior defensive end Abdul Carter left last week’s game against Boise State with an arm injury. His status has been a concern since then, but he is anticipated to play as he’s posted a few messages on social media hinting at a possible return to action. (Source: ESPN)


No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 6 Penn State: Team Numbers

No. 7 Notre Dame

Offense

No. 6 Penn State

37.7

Points Per Game

33.7

189.1

Pass Yards Per Game

234.1

217.5

Rush Yards Per Game

202.2

38.96%

3rd Down %

46.99%

20 (1.43)

Turnovers (per game)

21 (1.50)


No. 7 Notre Dame

Defense

No. 6 Penn State

13.6

Points Allowed PG

15.8

167.4

Pass Yards Allowed PG

187.9

127.9

Rush Yards Allowed PG

100.9

29.90%

Opponent 3rd Down %

34.83%

57 (4.07)

Takeaways (per game)

36 (2.57)


Split Head-to-Head

Penn State is 9-9-1 against Notre Dame all-time, according to Winsipedia. Their last meeting was on September 8, 2007, when Penn State beat Notre Dame 31-10 at home. Penn State is 0-2 against Notre Dame at a neutral site all-time. Penn State has won the last one head-to-head meeting dating back to 2007. Notre Dame’s most recent win over Penn State was on September 9, 2006 in a 41-17 home victory.


Players To Watch on Offense

No. 7 Notre Dame

  • QB Riley Leonard, Sr.

    • Passing: 232-for-349, 2,383 yds, 18 TD, 6 INT

    • Rushing: 149 car, 831 yds, 15 TD

  • RB Jeremiyah Love, So.

    • Rushing: 148 car, 1,076 yds, 16 TD

  • WR Beaux Collins, Gr.

    • Receiving: 37 rec, 458 yds, 3 TD

No. 6 Penn State

  • QB Drew Allar, Jr.

    • Passing: 250-for-371, 3,192 yds, 24 TD, 7 INT

    • Rushing: 90 car, 285 yds, 6 TD

  • RB Kaytron Allen, Jr.

    • Rushing: 201 car, 1,026 yds, 8 TD

  • TE Tyler Warren, Sr.

    • Receiving: 98 rec, 1,158 yds, 8 TD

Players To Watch on Defense

No. 7 Notre Dame

  • DL Donovan Hinish, Jr.

    • Defense: 34 tot, 4.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL

  • LB Jack Kiser, Gr.

    • Defense: 75 tot, 2 sacks, 4 TFL

  • S Xavier Watts, Gr.

    • Defense: 66 tot, 6 INT, 9 PD

No. 6 Penn State

  • DE Abdul Carter, Jr.

    • Defense: 63 tot, 11 sacks, 21.5 TFL

  • LB Kobe King, R-Jr.

    • Defense: 88 tot, 3 sacks, 8.5 TFL

  • S Jaylen Reed, Sr.

    • Defense: 92 tot, 3 INT, 3 PD


Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: The Nittany Lions have found more ways to win with every game they play. That fact and a stout run defense will propel them to a victory.

Pick: No. 6 Penn State

 
 
 

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