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Big Ten football: Comparing Michigan, Penn State ahead of top-10 battle

By Christopher Mangum

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Arnold Ebiketie #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions causes Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines to fumble the ball during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 13, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Arnold Ebiketie #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions causes Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines to fumble the ball during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 13, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 17: Jake Moody #13 of the Michigan Wolverines prepares for a kickoff during the first half of a college football game against the Connecticut Huskies at Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 17: Jake Moody #13 of the Michigan Wolverines prepares for a kickoff during the first half of a college football game against the Connecticut Huskies at Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Comparing Michigan and Penn State’s special teams

Both Michigan and Penn State football have had a good amount of success kicking the ball — though one more than the other. Let’s break down both the punting and kicking units for each team.

Penn State kicking

The Nittany Lions lost Jordan Stout to the NFL draft after 2021 and now must rely on Jake Pinegar. Pinegar is a competent kicker but is not known for being very reliable. He has the leg for long-range kicks, but sometimes has seemingly random misses and is not the most accurate kicker in the game.

Pinegar is 20 for 22 in extra points this season and 4-of-7 on field goal attempts. Penn State is 2-for-5 on field goals over 30 yards.

Penn State punting

Penn State has fared far better when punting the ball this season. The Nittany Lions are trusting Barney Amor to pin the opposition deep, and so far its working extremely well. Amor has punted 23 times this season, 14 of which landed inside the 20 yard line, and only one touch back. Amor averages 44.7 yards per punt and has a long of 52 yards this season.

Michigan kicking

The Wolverines are in much better shape when it comes to the kicking game. Jake Moody is the best kicker in college football (won the Lou Groza Award last season) and is as reliable as it gets. I would not be surprised if an NFL team spent a mid-round draft pick on Moody in the next NFL draft.

Moody is 30 for 30 on extra points and has hit nine of his 12 field goals this season. Two of Moody’s misses were over 40 yards, one of which was over 50 yards. Moody is 6-for-7 on field goals attempted between 30 and 49 yards this season.

Michigan – Punting

The Wolverines’ punter is also very good. Brad Robbins has been Michigan’s starter for a few seasons now and is off to a good start in 2022. Robbins has punted 18 times through six games and is averaging 46.2 yards per punt. Half of Robbins’ punts have been downed inside of the 20-yard line, and none have been touchbacks.

Needless to say, we should be in for a fun special teams matchup this weekend.

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