Miles Sanders among 5 Penn State football players who must step up vs. Michigan State

The last time we saw Penn State's defense it was lifting itself up in impressive fashion.

At least until it tired in the middle of the fourth quarter.

Now comes Michigan State and its marked man, quarterback Brian Lewerke.

Nittany Lion fans and defenders certainly remember what the Spartans' quarterback did to them a year ago in East Lansing. He threw for 400 yards and completed passes in all fashions on a cold, sloppy field.

He eluded the rush just enough.

He led the last drive that produced the walk-off upset.

Now, rather surprisingly, Lewerke's offensive line and receivers are struggling — which means he's trying to operate a pro-style offense that's springing leaks everywhere.

Is he primed for a recovery in Beaver Stadium or a long, brisk afternoon of bailing water?

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Penn State's defense will be on the spot to build upon their promising showing against Ohio State.

Here are five Lions to focus on during the homecoming stripe-out ...

Yetur Gross-Matos, defensive end

The sophomore is a physical freak at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds who has earned the trust of his coaches. But those highly-anticipated pass-rushing skills? He's been nearly invisible for long stretches.

He's still learning on the job but must start finishing plays to take some pressure off fellow end Shareef Miller.

"He's much better against the run right now," said coach James Franklin. "He's very physical. He's very strong. He's got a really good motor and I think he can be even better. We've seen flashes of really good stuff."

C.J. Thorpe, defensive tackle

The Lions desperately need another reliable inside presence. And Thorpe, with all the potential in the world, just wasn't getting a crack on the offensive line.

So he switched positions last month, played some against Ohio State and expects to be a growing force with each week. The Lions desperately need someone to step up behind Kevin Givens and Robert Windsor.

"He is a big, strong aggressive, powerful, violent kid with a motor," Franklin said of the redshirt freshman.

We should start to learn if he's an answer on Saturday.

John Reid, cornerback

The All-Big Ten caliber defensive back still has not looked himself since coming back from a knee injury that canceled his 2017.

He's sat out a couple of more games and has only two pass breakups and four tackles. Not what we expected.

This defense needs to ramp up its turnover production (seven through five games) and tackle better in the open field. 

Reid is a good place to start with both.

DeAndre Thompkins, receiver

The Lions' three most experienced wideouts have let down the offense. Those 17 dropped passes have killed the flow of this group and Thompkins has been the biggest enigma.

He produced a monster game against Kent State and virtually nothing before or since. He's far too talented and needed for that.

Maybe there's simply some missing spark. But a significantly shift is in order if the Lions hope to reach their potential.

Miles Sanders, running back

The rising star struggled in his biggest test so far.

He rarely found any room to work against Ohio State. Even worse, he fumbled deep in his own territory, gifting the Buckeyes points just before halftime.

Now he faces the nation's toughest run defense, at least statistically.

Sanders is a versatile athlete, though, and has shown flashes in the pass game. Maybe that's how he makes his mark early against the Spartans until the running resistance loosens up.

He must find a way to be a difference-maker.