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Penn State Football: 3 takeaways from blowout win over Maryland

By Connor Muldowney

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is tackled by linebacker Isaiah Davis #22 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first quarter at Capital One Field on November 25, 2017 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is tackled by linebacker Isaiah Davis #22 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first quarter at Capital One Field on November 25, 2017 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Penn State football ended the season with a blowout victory against Maryland. Here’s what we learned from the Nittany Lions’ win.

Although Penn State didn’t live up to preseason expectations and win the Big Ten title for the second straight season under James Franklin, the Nittany Lions did finish with a 10-2 record and a 7-2 mark in conference play with their only losses against Michigan State and Ohio State — two teams on the road ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25.

The Nittany Lions took care of business against a mediocre Maryland team on Saturday in College Park, beating the Terrapins 66-3.

What did we learn from Penn State’s blowout win over Maryland in Week 13?

3. Tommy Stevens is an underrated weapon

Not many people know the name Tommy Stevens, but the backup Penn State quarterback is one of the most underrated weapons in the Nittany Lions’ offense these days. In fact, the junior from Indianapolis, Ind., finished Saturday’s game with a career performance, passing for just 11 yards, but leading the team in rushing with 113 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.

With Trace McSorley having another year of eligibility left, the Nittany Lions will have to find a way to get Stevens more involved in the offense next season. There may not be a future for him at quarterback, but James Franklin could use another weapon on offense.

Saquon Barkley will also be moving on this offseason, most likely, and that means the offense will need players like Stevens to account for some yards on the ground. He could turn into a fullback/halfback hybrid or even a tight end, taking end-arounds for big yardage on the ground.

Penn State has no shortage of weapons this year and Stevens should be used much more moving forward.

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