Just the Stats: Penn State vs Kent State

Penn St. Nittany Lions (2-1; 0-0 Big Ten) vs Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2; 0-1 MAC)

3:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 21, 2013--Big Ten Network
BeaverStadium (Capacity: 106,572) / University Park, PA

Penn State	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Kent State	Advantage
Rushing Offense (ypg)	167.0 (70)	186.3 (89)	Rushing Defense (ypg)	Push
Passing Offense (ypg)	293.7 (27)	270 (98)	Passing Defense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency	156.46 (28)	205.91 (122)	Pass Efficiency Defense
Total Offense (ypg)	460.7 (45)	456.3 (102)	Total Defense (ypg)
Scoring Offense (ppg)	33.0 (54)	32.0 (93)	Scoring Defense (ppg)
Rushing Defense (ypg)	117.0 (T-31)	121.0 (95)	Rushing Offense (ypg)
Passing Defense (ypg)	199.7 (T-44)	182.7 (96)	Passing Offense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency Defense	117.63 (48)	135.57 (63)	Pass Efficiency	Push
Total Defense (ypg)	316.7 (26)	303.7 (T-113)	Total Offense (ypg)
Scoring Defense (ppg)	18.13 (18)	30.88 (52)	Scoring Offense (ppg)
Net Punting Yds	33.79 (101)	1.0 (118)	Punt Return Yds	Push
Punt Return Yds	14.57 (23)	39.31 (40)	Net Punting Yds	Push
Kickoff Return Yds	22.67 (44)	20.17 (58)	Kickoff Return Defense	Push
Kickoff Return Defense	24.67 (T-98)	21.1 (70)	Kickoff Return Yds
Turnover Margin	-1.00 (109)	-.3 (T-87)	Turnover Margin	Push
Penalty Yds/Game	33.0 (T-18)	59.67 (T-92)	Penalty Yds/Game
Sacks	1.67/gm (T-62)	1.33 (T-40)	Sacks Allowed	Push
Sacks Allowed	2.67/gm (T-103)	2.0 (T-50)	Sacks
Redzone Offense (%)	100% (T-1)	93.3% (T-89)	Redzone Defense (%)
Redzone Defense (%)	100% (T-91)	100% (T-1)	Redzone Offense (%)
Redzone TD %	80%	66.67%	Redzone TD % Defense
Redzone TD % Defense	57.14%	66.67%	Redzone TD %	Push
3rd Down Conv. %	11.8% (122)	42.9% (T-89)	3rd Down Defense %
3rd Down Defense %	33% (39)	42.2% (T-63)	3rd Down Conv. %	Push
4th Down Conv. %	83.3% (T-10)	0% (T-1)	4th Down Defense %	Push
4th Down Defense %	0% (T-1)	50% (T-44)	4th Down Conv. %
1st Downs	63 (T-48)	63 (T-90)	1st Downs Allowed
1st Downs Allowed	42 (T-26)	51 (T-86)	1st Downs
Time of Posession	28:00 (78)	32:00 (30)	Time of Posession

Difference <25 in National Rank = Push

Difference >25 in National Rank =

Difference >50 in National Rank =

Difference >75 in National Rank =

Difference >100 in National Rank =

Note: The Redzone TD% and Redzone TD% Defense are calculated by me and not ranked by the NCAA. Determining who has the advantage in these categories is strictly my arbitrary judgment.

Quick thoughts: Now, I know they're Kent State and all...but they were actually decent last year, going 11-3 and finishing the season ranked #25 in the BCS. This year, though, they're a new team with a new coach, and it shows in the statistics; it doesn't help, of course, that they lost to LSU last week.

So, instead of straight comparing the two teams this week (you can see that above for yourself), let's take a look at where we are this year after the third week, versus last year at the same time. Last year, we were 1-2, coming off a blowout win over Navy and about to face a tough Temple team; this year, we're coming off a close loss to UCF, 2-1, going against a traditional MACrifice. Statistics-wise, it's not even close--2013>>>>>2012, with the few exceptions being Scoring D (all other traditional yard aspects of defense are ranked higher this year), Kickoff return defense, sacks and turnover margin--and, of course, third down conversions. Nearly every single offensive stat is better this year--that with a freshman QB at the helm, versus a fifth year senior.

Even if we look at later in the season, after we'd gotten into our groove, it was more of the same. The moral of the story? All is not lost. We will be a good football team this year (the numbers show that)--maybe not great, but good. And for the duration of the sanctions, that's enough for me.

What say you all?

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