Penn State Week 2 Snap Counts at Temple

Penn State advanced to 2-0 with a 27-9 victory over Temple on Saturday, relying on a smaller rotation on both sides of the ball to secure the road win.

The Nittany Lions’ offensive and defensive snap counts, per PFF, provide insight into the depth chart as it takes shape early in the season.

Here’s who played, and how much, against the Owls (season total in parentheses).

Quarterbacks

Rocco Becht — 59 (97)

Alex Manske — 3 (27)

Connor Barry — 0 (10)

Due to the close nature of the game into the second half, Becht played up until the final drive, when Manske saw some burn. Becht finished with the highest PFF grade on the offense at 90.7.

Running Backs

Carson Hansen — 37 (61)

James Peoples — 18 (32)

Cam Wallace — 1 (17)

Quinton Martin Jr. — 0 (19)

Hansen saw the lion’s share of carries on Saturday, with Peoples rotating in later in the matchup. However, Peoples was more successful on a yards-per-carry basis, with 6.0 compared to 4.4 for Hansen.

Wide Receivers

Chase Sowell — 43 (79)

Koby Howard — 42 (70)

Brett Eskildsen — 26 (56)

Zay Robinson — 6 (23)

Amarion Jackson — 3 (30)

Karon Brookins — 1 (25)

Sowell and Howard played a majority of offensive snaps, though the Nittany Lions used more 12 personnel looks, which came at Eskildsen’s expense. Despite seeing just six snaps, Robinson totaled three receptions for 34 yards and was the highest-graded offensive player behind Becht.

Tight Ends

Andrew Rappleyea — 46 (75)

Benjamin Brahmer — 44 (69)

Gabe Burkle — 19 (19)

Finn Furmanek — 18 (47)

Brian Kortovich — 3 (21)

Bobby Mears — 3 (11)

Peyton Falzone — 0 (11)

Penn State mainly utilized Rappleyea and Brahmer, with Burkle potentially on a pitch count while working back from a lengthy injury. Brahmer led the team with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns.

Offensive Line

Malachi Goodman — 59 (115)

Brock Riker — 59 (115)

Cooper Cousins — 59 (103)

Trevor Buhr — 59 (103)

Anthony Donkoh — 59 (103)

Will Tompkins — 3 (31)

Garrett Sexton — 3 (26)

Vaea Ikakoula — 3 (21)

Donnie Harbour — 3 (19)

Owen Aliciene — 3 (3)

Chimdy Onoh — 0 (16)

Henry Boehme — 0 (10)

Jim Fitzgerald — 0 (10)

The Nittany Lions rolled with the same starting five for most of the game, bringing out the second team for the final drive. Sexton came in at left tackle, Tompkins played left guard, Ikakoula played center, Harbour played right guard and Aliciene played right tackle.

Defensive Line

Keanu Williams — 38 (60)

Siale Taupaki — 37 (52)

Ikenna Ezeogu — 35 (59)

Caleb Bacon — 32 (51)

Yvan Kemajou — 29 (58)

Alexander McPherson — 24 (45)

Dallas Vakalahi — 20 (39)

Ty Blanding — 17 (41)

De’Andre Cook — 3 (19)

Jackson Ford — 0 (4)

Liam Andrews — 0 (4)

Penn State’s starting defensive ends, Ezeogu and Kemajou, were credited with seven total pressures, while Kemajou and Taupaki were credited with sacks. Max Granville, who played 22 snaps on defense and seven on special teams in the season opener, didn’t play and will miss the rest of the season with injury.

Linebackers

Kooper Ebel — 34 (62)

Tony Rojas — 34 (69)

Alex Tatsch — 23 (23)

Cael Brezina — 22 (47)

Cam Smith — 0 (17)

John Klosterman — 0 (4)

Rojas led the team with a 92.3 PFF grade, totaling seven tackles and an interception in the win. The Nittany Lions kept a small rotation, with only four players seeing the field after rotating in six a week ago.

Cornerbacks

Jahmir Joseph — 34 (50)

Daryus Dixson — 32 (64)

Zion Tracy — 30 (49)

Audavion Collins — 30 (62)

Josiah Zayas — 25 (59)

Ibn McDaniels — 13 (30)

Tyler Armstead — 0 (7)

Christian Askew — 0 (1)

Donte Nastasi — 0 (1)

Second-years Dixson and Joseph saw the most action among cornerbacks, followed closely by Tracy and Collins. Tracy returned to the starting role at nickel after Zayas started in Week 1, but both saw extensive time. Tracy earned the highest PFF coverage grade, allowing one reception for 4 yards on two targets with a pass breakup.

Safeties

Jamison Patton — 35 (66)

Jeremiah Cooper — 34 (46)

Marcus Neal Jr. — 33 (64)

Vaboue Toure — 12 (36)

Xxavier Thomas — 1 (15)

Bryson Williams — 0 (7)

The safeties as a whole graded out poorly on Saturday after struggling with missed tackles at times. Cooper was the highest graded player in the room and was credited with four tackles.