Tyler Warren doesn’t expect to shed any tears on Senior Day like many Penn State football players have in the past.
But he wants to make sure that he relishes being with his friends and teammates when the Nittany Lions take on Maryland Saturday at 3:30 (TV-BTN) at Beaver Stadium.
“It’s fun and it can be a little sad,” Warren said, “but I don’t think you’re really going to look at it as that. It’s more to enjoy it and understand that you only have a certain amount of games to play with these guys.
“So really enjoying it is the biggest thing for me and making sure I don’t look past or skip any of the moments that we get out there together.”
Warren, Penn State’s outstanding tight end, will be one of 23 seniors who will be recognized during a pregame ceremony.
Fourth-ranked Penn State (7-1 Big Ten, 10-1) hopes to play one more home game Dec. 20 or 21 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. To assure that, the Lions have to dispatch 25-point underdog Maryland (1-7, 4-7).
The Terrapins have dropped four straight since they upset USC 29-28 on Oct. 19 for their only conference win. After posting winning records and winning three bowl games the last three seasons, they will not be in the postseason this year.
“We’ve underachieved,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said. “I’m the leader of a bunch that I had high expectations for because I want it for them. It’s like a parent. You want your kids to have success.
“It wasn’t because we didn’t work. It was because we didn’t necessarily work to the level at which we’re capable or make the plays that were there.”
Maryland ranks 90th nationally in scoring (25.2) and 96th in scoring defense (29.2). The Terps have allowed at least 27 points in every conference game. They’re especially vulnerable on the offensive line and in the secondary.
In addition, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. re-injured his thumb in the first half of last week’s 29-13 homefield loss to Iowa and did not return. He had thrown seven interceptions in the previous five games and has nine this season.
If Edwards can’t play, Maryland will start MJ Morris, a transfer from North Carolina State.
“He’s still a little bit banged up,” Locksley said about Edwards, “but Billy’s been banged up all year. He had back surgery in May and didn’t get cleared till July.
“He fought through all year with some of these things and I expect him to fight through to try to make himself available this weekend.”
Penn State has one of the best defenses in the nation, ranking fifth in total yards allowed, seventh in points allowed and rushing yards allowed and ninth in passing yards allowed.
Defensive end Abdul Carter, who has 17.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks, is a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award, both presented to the nation’s best defensive player.
“Obviously the front seven of their team is really a strength,” Locksley said. “It has been for a while. And with Tom (Allen) taking over for Manny (Diaz) as the defensive coordinator, you can just see he put his personality on it.”
The Lions have won three straight since suffering their only loss, a 20-13 decision to No. 2 Ohio State at home. They’ve beaten Maryland in 43 of their 47 meetings and would like to honor their outgoing teammates with a win on Senior Day.
“This is a good ending,” senior center Nick Dawkins said. “When you come in with guys and you finish at Penn State with them, you’re just so appreciative of all that we went through. You got your degree and you played all of your career at Penn State. You didn’t leave. Those are the guys I came in with and those are the guys I’m leaving with.”
Rich Scarcella’s pick
Penn State 42, Maryland 14
The Nittany Lions have plenty of motivation with a home game in the College Football Playoff on the line. The Terrapins are reeling with four straight losses and their starting quarterback banged up. Penn State doesn’t want to leave its CFP status in the hands of a committee.
