No. 14 Penn State vs. Buffalo Preview & Prediction

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Penn State is off to a 2-0 start for the sixth straight season after a 27-9 road win over Temple last week. It wasn’t a pretty win by any means, but the Nittany Lions found a way to get the job done.

It took Penn State until the second quarter to get on the board, even with two red zone appearances and one drive starting on the Temple 5-yard line in the first quarter.

One glaring issue was the run game. Penn State totaled just 148 yards and did not score a rushing touchdown against the Owls. The last time the latter happened against a non-Power 4 opponent was against San Diego State in 2015.

There were also issues with dropped passes, missed tackles in the secondary, and missed blocks. But that’s in the past now. The Nittany Lions will have a chance to right their wrongs against their final non-conference opponent: Buffalo.

No. 14 Penn State vs. Buffalo Preview

Game: Buffalo Bulls (1-1) @ No. 14 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0)

History: 3-1, Penn State

Last Meeting: 45-13, Penn State (2019)

Time: Noon (EST)

Location: West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium | University Park, Pa.

TV: BTN

Radio: 99.5 FM | 103.7 FM | 1450 AM | Sirius XM 178, 232, XM App

Odds: Penn State -40.5 | O/U: 49.5

This will be the fifth all-time meeting between Penn State and Buffalo. Penn State won the last three meetings in 2019, 2015 and 2007 by 13 points or more. The Bulls’ lone win against the Nittany Lions was a 10-0 victory in 1900.

Penn State Gets Two Defensive Tackles Back from Injury

Last week, head coach Matt Campbell announced that tight end Gabe Burkle, linebacker Alex Tatsch and backup tackle Owen Aliciene were cleared to play against Temple.

According to Pro Football Focus, Burkle appeared on 19 snaps, mostly on run-blocking plays; Tatsch played 23 snaps, and Aliciene got in on three snaps.

This week, Campbell announced that defensive tackles Armstrong Nnodim and Alijah Carnell will be active against Buffalo.

Nnodim, a redshirt sophomore, transferred to Penn State by way of Oklahoma State. He made four starts in 12 games and recorded 11 tackles and two for a loss last season with the Cowboys. Carnell is also a redshirt sophomore and is one of Penn State’s 24 Iowa State transfer additions. He posted eight tackles in 15 games with the Cyclones.

Other injuries to note: Campbell said that linebacker Cam Smith is questionable to play this week. Zion Tracy and Jeremiah Cooper appear to be at full strength. Both defensive backs started last week against the Owls and played over 30 snaps each.

And, in case you missed it, LaVar Arrington II will be out for four to six weeks following knee surgery, and redshirt sophomore Max Granville will miss the rest of the season after suffering an injury last week in practice.

Penn State vs. Buffalo by the Numbers

Penn State Offense

Scoring: 36.0 points per game (Tied-49th in FBS)

Total: 451.5 yards per game (40th)

Passing: 296.0 yards per game (29th)

Rushing: 155.5 yards per game (80th)

Penn State Defense

Scoring: 4.5 points per game (Tied-1st in FBS)

Total: 215.0 yards per game (15th)

Passing: 105.0 yards per game (4th)

Rushing: 110.0 yards per game (62nd)

Buffalo Offense

Scoring: 20.5 points per game (Tied-114th in FBS)

Total: 321.0 yards per game (117th)

Passing: 217.5 yards per game (82nd)

Rushing: 103.5 yards per game (122nd)

Buffalo Defense

Scoring: 25.0 points per game (Tied-90th in FBS)

Total: 408.0 yards per game (113th)

Passing: 295.0 yards per game (132nd)

Rushing: 113.0 yards per game (66th)

Scouting the Bulls

Buffalo is 1-1 after a 21-17 win over UAlbany in Week 1, followed by a 33-20 road loss to FIU last week.

The Bulls’ offense has been less than impressive, averaging just 20.5 points per game. The offense has played both Elijah Holmes and Jason Wright at quarterback. Holmes has completed 57.4% of his throws for 250 yards and three touchdowns, while Wright has completed under half of his attempts for 185 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.

Holmes exited the FIU game early with a strained knee injury and did not practice Tuesday, but has not been ruled out yet. If Holmes is ruled out, Wright, a sophomore, will be making his first career start.

No matter who starts, though, they will be targeting wideout Chance Morrow as much as possible. Morrow has been one of the nation’s top pass-catchers, statistically. The 6′-4″, 191-pound receiver is 20th in the FBS with 218 receiving yards, tied for third with 18 receptions and tied for first with five touchdowns.

While Buffalo can move the ball through the air, the run game is nothing special. The Bulls’ leading rusher is Messiah Burch, who has 18 carries for 90 yards and no touchdowns. As a team, Buffalo averages 3.6 yards per carry and has yet to find the end zone on the ground.

Defensively, Buffalo’s leading tackler is safety Ronnell Davis, with 17 tackles. Buffalo has forced three sacks by defensive lineman Christopher Climes, defensive end Logan Goodwin and linebacker Stevie Bracey. Bracey is also the only Bull to force an interception this season.

Nothing stands out about this Buffalo team besides Morrow. Morrow has only played five snaps from the slot this season, which means he’ll likely face Penn State’s corners most of the game. No Penn State corner has allowed a completion for more than 10 yards so far this season.

Penn State should be able to pass all over Buffalo’s 132nd-ranked pass defense. Expect more touchdowns from Rocco Becht. Penn State will also look to run the ball better after two lackluster performances against Marshall and Temple.

Prediciton

Penn State 48, Buffalo 0

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