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Suddenly we are at Halloween with Penn State still looking for win No. 1 of its conference schedule later on this afternoon.
Here are five keys in order to get a win over Purdue today:
1. Pass rush turns scary: Somebody other than Tony Rojas needs to get home to the quarterback. It's that simple.
The defensive line not recording any sacks so far this season should be an insult to that unit. Rojas has been outstanding as the team's only midseason All-American selection, but it's not a compliment when a linebacker leads a team in sacks.
It's difficult to believe the Boilermakers' offensive line can swallow up the Lions' defensive front.
2. Some tricks and treats: Notice the theme I'm going with by now?
While not everything can be blamed by a lackluster offense without an identity, there hasn't been much creativity drawn up by offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser. Maybe today is the day for it.
Who wouldn't want to see the Lions get tricky and throw something at Purdue when the Boilers aren't ready for it?
3. No more seeing ghosts: It certainly wasn't Rocco Becht's best game two weeks ago at Michigan. He has to be better with limiting the interceptions and needs better awareness than he showed with the fumble late in the fourth quarter.
Becht hasn't won over many fans in the last few weeks, but he can change a lot of minds with a few more wins down the stretch. The season is lost, but it's not too late for Becht's one season in Happy Valley to be seen in a favorable light.
4. Hand out carries to Martin like candy: At what point do we see more of Quinton Martin Jr. in this season that went south in a hurry?
Martin has averaged 5.2 yards per rushing attempt this season, which is the most of any of the three primary PSU running backs. Cam Wallace has a better average, but he hasn't been used much since the page turned to the Big Ten schedule.
Martin might be a transfer candidate in a couple months, but that's no reason to not play him.
5. Neal turns into the Boogeyman: Head coach Matt Campbell announced Wednesday that Marcus Neal is transitioning from a free safety to a linebacker in order to help the depth problems at that position.
No one expects Neal to be the next Jack Ham out on the field, especially right away. But he can certainly help a unit that was already thin to start the year and recently lost Alex Tatsch for the season.