The particle is used to express the degree of a state. When a sentence precedes ほど, the element just before hodo is a verb. To the extent that~; so~ that~ (almost) ~; not as ~ as N; to (this/that) degree; (this/that) much V-plain.non-past ほど Nほど
Sentenceという
indicates that what is said in the preceding sentence is not firsthand information It is said that~; they say that S-plainという
Nounに会わせて;Nounに会った
Making something suitable for X or "according to X"