Earlier this season, Penn State football played back-to-back games against Ohio State and Washington. Both teams had top-25 passing attacks heading into the matchup, averaging more than 280 passing per game. In both games, the Nittany Lions’ secondary held the opposing offense to under 185 pass yards.

Against the Buckeyes, Penn State’s secondary forced a pick-six on the game’s first drive and held quarterback Will Howard, who averaged 256.4 yards coming into the game, to 182 yards. Against the Huskies, quarterback Will Rogers was 10-for-13 passing with 59 yards and an interception and was replaced at halftime by Desmond Williams Jr., who finished the game 6-for-10 passing for 60 yards.

Last week, Maryland had the 12th-ranked passing offense, averaging 289.6 yards per game. The Terrapins left Beaver Stadium with 122 passing yards and starting quarterback MJ Morris had a touchdown and three interceptions.

Penn State is faced with a similar situation in the Big Ten Championship. Oregon has the 13th-ranked passing offense in the country, and quarterback Dillon Gabriel has the 10th-most passing yards and the second-best completion percentage. The Ducks also have two 600-yard receivers, a 500-yard receiver, and a 400-yard tight end.

“They’ve got an explosive group of receivers that are well experienced and know what they’re doing with an experienced quarterback as well,” cornerback Jalen Kimber said.

Oregon’s top receiver is Tez Johnson. The redshirt senior spent his first three seasons at Troy where he had a 700-yard and 800-yard season eight total receiving touchdowns. Since transferring to Oregon, Johnson has led the team in receptions in consecutive seasons.

The other threat is the Ducks’ second-leading receiver, Evan Stewart. Stewart has 48 catches, 613 yards, and five touchdowns. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but he’s been a difference-maker in close games.

Oregon has won three one-score games this season. In those games, Stewart has 22 receptions for 353 yards and two touchdowns. In the other nine games combined, Stewart has 26 catches for 260 yards and three touchdowns.

“It’s probably one of the top receiving cores I’ve played,” the redshirt senior Kimber said. “It’s critical now. You don’t have time for small errors, can’t come out slow, can’t come out lackadaisical, so we got to come out ready to play.”

In 2022, Kimber was at Florida and Stewart was at Texas A&M. The two played each other and the Gators bested the Aggies 41-24, but Stewart still managed to haul in eight catches for 120 yards.

“He’s a savvy route runner and he’s well experienced,” Kimber said. “He knows how to go in and out of his breaks. He’s just overall a good wide receiver that understands the game.”

Although Johnson and Stewart pose a threat to Penn State’s defense, Kimber and the secondary have already faced similar talent this season. Against Ohio State, the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year and Receiver of the Year Jeremiah Smith had just four catches for 55 yards, and Washington’s leading receiver Denzel Boston had just two grabs for 35 yards. Last week, the nation’s ninth-leading receiver Tai Felton had a season-low 27 yards on four catches.

“You always want to go against the best. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of,” Kimber said. “You’re able to go out there and show what you’re capable of, and that’s what we’re getting ready to do.”

In 2021, Kimber was at Georgia when the Bulldogs made the SEC Championship. However, he suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the year and missed the game. This year will be Kimber’s first conference championship appearance of his five-year collegiate career.

Kimber said he’s looking forward to playing in the Big Ten Championship and playing against a talented receiving corps like Oregon’s.

“I’m just extremely grateful to be in this position. To be able to go out there and showcase my skills,” Kimber said. “As a team, we want to go out there and showcase our skill set as well. So, I’m just extremely grateful at this time in my career, and I couldn’t be happier right now.