STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- With each carry the anticipation grows, making many wonder what the Nittany Lions' backfield could look like after the next two games.
Assuming Saquon Barkley declares for the NFL draft following this season, one where he still plans to play in the Lions' bowl game, it makes sophomore Miles Sanders' stock higher than ever. The former Woodland Hills standout has spelled Barkley here and there throughout the season and in the process whether with his elusive movements or impressive balance while tightroping the sideline, he's raised some eyebrows.
“I can’t wait until you guys can see Miles blow up," quarterback Tommy Stevens said Saturday night after the Lions' win against Nebraska, one where Sanders carried the ball four times for 28 yards. "Miles is a tremendous player and obviously not to take anything away from Saquon because he’s amazing and you don’t see many guys like him, but I mean Miles is outstanding."
Surely fans don't want to wish away the likely last two games of Barkley's collegiate career -- and they're getting a bonus with the bowl game he wants to play in -- but there's still plenty of experience Sanders can gain both on the field the rest of this season and from the standout in front of him. On one hand, there's going to be huge shoes for someone to fill to the tune of three seasons with an electric 1,000-yard rusher, but on the other, Sanders was a highly-touted, five-star prospect who saw the field right away and by all accounts continues developing.
There's also the reality that defenses will play the Nittany Lions differently next season, not dedicating the majority of the defense's game plan to stopping Barkley, which could give this next back more room to run.
"Honestly, I think he does everything Saquon does. He's learning from him and it's hard to say because Saquon is special man, but the way Miles can run, jump, he's strong, he's explosive, he reads blocks well," Stevens said. "He was the No. 1 rated (running back) prospect in his class I believe so there’s reasons behind that. He’s really good and just waiting on his opportunity.”
The Lions' backfield is a crowded place as is and the fact that Sanders supplanted Barkley's classmate, Andre Robinson, this season means he's shown enough behind the scenes that he'll likely enter the offseason with the edge. Robinson broke LeSean McCoy's rushing record at Bishop McDevitt High School and some thought he'd have a collegiate career that would surpass Barkley's. Penn State is in line to pick up a pledge from five-star Ricky Slade in the coming months and speedy freshman Journey Brown has consistently been a player mentioned by coaches and teammates when asked who has stood out on the scout team this season.
However, just in limited viewing windows and in short spurts during games Sanders looks to have exceptional speed and balance. He's worked past the fumbling problem that popped up during his freshman season and like all young backs spent a lot of time this past season and offseason working on pass protection.
He ran with authority when he stepped in early on against Rutgers, powering his way toward the sideline and with the Lions opening as 21-point favorites against Maryland for Saturday afternoon's game in College Park it could mean more late-game opportunities for Sanders, much like it did against Nebraska. There will be a lot of interest in Sanders these last two games and in all likelihood all offseason too.
Still, perhaps the hardest part -- playing the waiting game that wears on many young players -- is almost over for Sanders. Remember, preaching patience was something James Franklin mentioned several times before the start of this season and certainly Sanders is one of the players in that category.
"With Saquon having the year he's having and just having the career he’s having Miles is just being patient and whenever he gets his time he’s pretty much exceeded what we’ve asked for him to do," wide receiver Juwan Johnson said. "So for Miles, he has a bright future. I can’t wait to see what he has in store."
EXPLOSIVE PLAY TRACKER
Penn State's reserves left their foot off the gas late in Saturday's game, allowing Nebraska to tie the Nittany Lions in the explosive play category, with each team having 12 explosive gains. That's the first time this season the Lions tied in that category and they only lost it once, 12-7 against Ohio State.
Eight of Nebraska's 10 receptions of 15-plus yards came in the second half, with five of them coming in the fourth quarter. Tanner Lee was certainly one of the better quarterbacks they faced this year and they knew that coming into it, but the miscues for the Lions late in the game should pay dividends for the young players who were on the field. It certainly skewed the numbers, but the value should prove helpful longterm.
Still, on the season the Lions are winning the explosive play battle against their opponents to the tune of 125 explosive gains to 82.
Passes of 15-plus yards vs. Nebraska: 9
Passes of 15-plus yards surrendered by Lions' defense vs. Nebraska: 10
Season total for Lions' offense: 86
Total surrendered by PSU's defense this season: 52
Season leaders:
• DaeSean Hamilton: 24
• Juwan Johnson: 16 (seven of which came in the past three games)
• Barkley: 12
• Mike Gesicki: 12
• DeAndre Thompkins: 8
• Saeed Blacknall: 8
• Brandon Polk: 5
• Nick Bowers: 1
Rushes of 12-plus yards vs. Nebraska: 3
Rushes of 12-plus yards surrendered by Lions' defense vs. Nebraska: 2
Season total for Lions' offense: 39
Total surrendered by PSU's defense this season: 30
Season leaders:
• Barkley: 18
• Trace McSorley: 12
• Sanders: 5
• Tommy Stevens: 3
• Andre Robinson: 1
WHO WAS ON WHAT SPECIAL TEAMS?
Kick coverage: Tyler Davis, Ayron Monroe, Dae'Lun Darien, Jarvis Miller, Jonathan Thomas, Nick Scott, Josh McPhearson, Lamont Wade, Amani Oruwariye, Garrett Taylor, Tariq Castro-Fields.
Kick return: Brandon Polk (returner in for Saquon Barkley), Jason Cabinda, Tom Pancoast, Koa Farmer, Jan Johnson, Colin Castagna, Ayron Monroe, Nick Scott, Tariq Castro-Fields, Saeed Blacknall, Garrett Taylor.
Punt return: DeAndre Thompkins, Nick Scott, Christian Campbell, Lamont Wade, Troy Apke, Tariq Castro-Fields, Saeed Blacknall, Zech McPhearson, Jarvis Miller, Dae'Lun Darien, Garrett Taylor. Ayron Monroe also worked with this unit.
Field goal block: Yetur Gross-Matos, Shane Simmons, Tyrell Chavis, Parker Cothren, Grant Haley, Troy Apke, Jason Cabinda, Christian Campbell, Brandon Smith, Koa Farmer, Marcus Allen.
Field goal: Tyler Davis, Kyle Vasey, Billy Fessler, Daniel Joseph, Zach Simpson, Alex Gellerstedt, Steven Gonzalez, Chasz Wright, Will Fries, Michal Menet, Tom Pancoast.
AWARD SEASON
Barkley was announced as a finalist for the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award and Paul Hornung Award. He's joined in the race for the Maxwell Award with Baker Mayfield and Bryce Love. The winner will be announced Dec. 7 at the College Football Awards show in Atlanta.
Tight end Mike Gesicki made the cut for the Mackey Award, making his one of three finalists for the award that's given annually to the nation's top tight end. Former Nittany Lion Adam Breneman, who transferred to UMass, did not make the cut.
Looking ahead, the Heisman finalists are typically announced around the same time as bowl selection day, which comes the day after the Big Ten title game. So, Dec. 3 should be a busy day as the Lions will learn their bowl destination and potentially Barkley will punch his Heisman finalist ticket to New York City. The Heisman Trophy is awarded on Dec. 9 and Mayfield is the frontrunner after Barkley faded within the past month.
BOWL DESTINATION?
While it's far from a given, the Lions' bid to make it to the Cotton Bowl seems to be the most likely landing spot at this point. The game, played between two at-large opponents, will be held Dec. 29 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Penn State vs. Notre Dame and Penn State vs. TCU are among the projected matchups. A Penn State, Notre Dame game certainly would be an interesting one for both fan bases.
However, a trip to the Citrus Bowl is still very much on the table too. We'll see how this shakes out in the next two weeks, but with Barkley saying he's playing in the bowl game -- plus the Lions' history of traveling well for bowl games -- they should be an attractive option for many bowls and if they close out the regular season this weekend at 10-2 there will be plenty of options.