Hit on Penn State kicker Joey Julius results in another ejection
— -- STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- One Penn State player above all might have a target on his back this season -- and it just so happens to be a Nittany Lions kicker.
For the second straight week, a defender was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after hitting Joey Julius late on a third-quarter kickoff. Maryland linebacker Isaiah Davis was forced to leave Saturday's 38-14 Nittany Lions win as officials flagged him for lowering his shoulder and hitting Julius after the kick traveled out of bounds.
Maryland coach D.J. Durkin said that even if Davis had not been ejected he would have removed the redshirt freshman from the game.
"That's not our program," Durkin said.
The penalty came a week after Minnesota linebacker Jaylen Waters was ejected for a similar hit on Julius.
"It means he's dangerous," Penn State linebacker Koa Farmer said of his teammate. "Joey is legit. He's one of us running down the field. That's why he makes those hits.
"He's got to protect himself. Guys are going to be coming after him -- because he's like us."
In Week 1, Julius trended on Twitter after a tackle that caused Kent State returner Kavious Price to stagger backward. In Week 4, Michigan All-American Jabrill Peppers purposely avoided blocking Julius as he tackled returner Jourdan Lewis.
Julius, a 258-pound redshirt sophomore, has fast become a fan favorite because of those hard hits. Fans chanted, "Jo-ey! Jo-ey!" after he drew a flag Saturday. Before the game, the Beaver Stadium crowd of 100,778 stood on its feet and applauded when he appeared on the video board as the starting lineups were announced.
"He's probably the most famous kicker, NFL or college, that I can think of," Penn State safety Malik Golden said. "I don't really think any kicker's really had this notoriety. I've never seen something like this from a kicker."
Golden said he is working on a group project that involves interviewing someone. The first subject his group suggested? It wasn't quarterback Trace McSorley or running back Saquon Barkley. It happened to be Julius.
Penn State's kicker has endeared himself to fans for his hard-nosed mentality. But he also drew praise last week for opening up about his binge-eating disorder. He sought treatment earlier this year in St. Louis, and he told fans via social media that he would be happy to help anyone dealing with similar issues.
"I'm very, very proud of Joey," coach James Franklin said earlier in the week. "I really am, in so many ways."
Julius has acted as a spark plug of sorts for the Nittany Lions. Last week, against Minnesota, the team spilled on the field after the unsportsmanlike hit. This week, defensive end Evan Schwan acknowledged that Saturday's hit again played a role in the win.
"That was the nail in the coffin for Maryland," Schwan said.
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