It’s best to first address the elephant in the room. Grant Ament is questionable for Sunday.
Penn State coach Jeff Tambroni said the dynamic feeder is officially day-to-day with a lower body injury and didn’t specify if this is related to the foot injury that forced Ament to miss all of 2018.
“He does some things on the field that are just truly different,” Tambroni said. “We’re not going to replace him, no matter how long he’s going to be out. We might have to play a little different in our style, so it means everyone might have to adapt a little bit more.”
The Nittany Lions have their work cut out for them without their top attackmen, as they travel to No. 3 Maryland for the start of their conference schedule.
NO. 2 PENN STATE AT NO. 3 MARYLAND
WHEN: Sunday, March 31, 7 p.m.
WATCH: Big Ten Network
Observers caught a glimpse of what Penn State looks like without Ament against Cleveland State in a 15-11 win. Mac O’Keefe’s role hardly changed, though he had to do a little more work himself without Ament feeding. Six of the Lions’ 15 goals were assisted, just under Ament’s personal per-game average (6.57).
“As a team, I don’t think we should compromise our standards,” Tambroni said of altering the plan without Ament. He also lost Kevin Hill in the season-opener, meaning he’s two weapons short. Of course, the team has plenty experience now playing without Hill.
“Even though the faces may change, we have to find different ways to do these things.”
Maryland now has one less threat to worry about in a loaded Penn State offense, and Tambroni said a team as “uber talented” as Maryland means that his team needs to iron out its own issues.
“Our focus has been, what can we do?” Tambroni said. “What can the Penn State lacrosse team do to maximize our own potential? They give you almost too much to concern yourself with.”
History favors Maryland, which is 40-2 all-time against Penn State (its two wins came in 1916 and 1920). “It certainly speaks about the legacy going on with their program, but at the same time, I think it’s even a stretch to talk about last year’s game or the game two years ago,” Tambroni said.
All that matters is Sunday.