Penn State guard Vega Ioane explains viral pancake block against UCLA

Andy Kotelnicki has brought creativity to the Penn State football team. Play calls and formations that are unique to what the Nittany Lions run on offense. On Saturday against UCLA, Andy Kotelnicki featured Vega Ioane the starting left guard for Penn State out at wide receiver, who then came in motion to produce a highlight block.

Vega Ioane got a running start on a kickout block against UCLA on Saturday, which turned into a viral clip. The video went viral due to the unusual nature of an offensive lineman having the chance to get such a massive block on a defensive end. Then, as Bruins defensive end Luke Schuermann realized what happened, Ioane finished the block.

VEGA IOANE KILLED A MAN FROM THE SLOT WR POSITION pic.twitter.com/XVmIlVW1d9

— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) October 5, 2024

Following the game Ioane explained the moment

© Alex Disabella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

“We installed the play back in spring ball,” Ioane said. “Ran it once in spring ball but to me personally I take it more than just a block. It’s a good thing that I got have the trust from our offensive coordinator to put me out there and make a block like that.

“I got out there and we ran it multiple times in practice. But being safe in practice I ain’t hit anybody like that. But in a game, that’s the time to let loose. I looked across and saw who I was going to hit and it was go time. He motioned me in and y’all saw what happened.”

You can watch Ioane’s full postgame interview on the Basic Blues Nation YouTube Channel.

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