milwaukeesun
After a dominant nonconference slate, No. 13 Penn State will open Big Ten competition on Saturday when it hosts Wisconsin at University Park, Pa.
The Nittany Lions (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) have cruised past Marshall, Temple and Buffalo, outscoring those opponents by a combined 127-22. In last weekend's 55-13 dismantling of Buffalo, Rocco Becht, Koby Howard and James Peoples each scored two touchdowns, and Penn State outgained the Bulls 573-173 in total yards.
Despite the lopsided result, Nittany Lions coach Matt Campbell was not satisfied. "Not where we need to be," Campbell said, "but I think a team that has certainly grown in different (ways) each week. ... This is college football, and I think our ability to grow from Week 3 to Week 4 will be really important."
Howard, the team's top wide receiver, sustained an undisclosed injury last weekend, leaving his status for Saturday uncertain. If he is unable to play, Chase Sowell (eight catches, 126 yards, one touchdown) is expected to see more targets. "Chase Sowell has been better maybe than I would even expect it to be where he's been," Campbell said. "I think we talked about it in preseason camp, (but what's important) is consistency, and I think he's given you dynamic playmaking ability."
Campbell also expressed satisfaction with the progress of his pass rushers. "What area has made the best growth in three weeks?" Campbell said. "It's probably been the ability to watch that group go forward. ... You've got some guys who have a unique ability to pressure the quarterback. ... I think it's grown immensely over the first three weeks."
Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0) began its season with a disappointing loss to Notre Dame but bounced back with a win over Western Illinois. The Badgers truly found their stride in last weekend's 54-10 victory over Eastern Michigan, outgaining the Eagles 479-216. Colton Joseph threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns in that game, adding 46 rushing yards and a score on the ground. In the first two games, Joseph passed for 390 yards and two touchdowns.
"Colton's a physical guy with a lot of ability," Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said. "He's learning through Week 1, 2 and 3, when he can take his opportunities, when he can be more aggressive, when he has to be smart. I think we're going to need that as we move into Big Ten play."
Running back Abu Sama III missed last week's game with an undisclosed injury after rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries in Week 2. Sama was cleared to play against Eastern Michigan and warmed up with the intention of playing, but Wisconsin ultimately held him out. "I'm not sure he was quite ready to be where he needed to be (last weekend)," Fickell said of Sama, who previously played for Campbell at Iowa State. "Hopefully he's a lot further along this week. Without playing last week, without taking some shots. But we won't know just, right away. We'll figure that thing out hopefully here soon."
Penn State has won the past six meetings between the schools, while Wisconsin is seeking its first win in the series since 2011.
Originally reported by milwaukeesun.