Connect with us

FOOTBALL

James Franklin: Dante Cephas performance ‘changes everything’ for Penn State

WR Dante Cephas had a breakout game for the Nittany Lions at Maryland Saturday, a performance James Franklin says “changes everything” for Penn State football.

Published

on

Penn State football, Dante Cephas, Kansas State, transfer portal
Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Dante Cephas (3) catches a pass in front of Maryland Terrapins defensive back Tarheeb Still (4) during the second half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

After a shaky close to October, Penn State football got right to start the month of November. The Nittany Lions dominated Maryland, winning 51-15 Saturday afternoon in College Park. From a barnburner first half from Drew Allar to a stifling outing from the Penn State defense, there are many positive storylines coming out of Saturday. But perhaps the most crucial development for the Nittany Lions is the breakout game from wide receiver Dante Cephas. After the win, James Franklin explained why Cephas’s performance “changes everything” for Penn State moving forward.

Better late than never: Dante Cephas arrives for the Nittany Lions

Penn State football nabbed one of the more noteworthy transfer portal additions of the offseason when it landed Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas. After a stellar career for the Golden Flashes, Cephas came to Happy Valley ready to prove himself on the biggest stages.

However, like many of the Nittany Lions’ wide receivers, the production hasn’t been there for Cephas this fall. The redshirt senior has been in and out of the lineup as a clear second receiver has yet to emerge behind KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Bothered by drops on several occasions, Cephas had a meager 11 receptions for 146 yards through seven games played this year.

Cephas did his part to change that narrative Saturday at Maryland. A career-best as a Nittany Lion, Cephas had 6 catches for 53 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Terrapins. Both scores were beautiful corner throws by quarterback Drew Allar, only to be outdone on the receiving end by Cephas with two spectacular catches.

Cephas felt “relief” after first touchdown against Maryland

After watching the room struggle all season, Penn State football fans took a collective exhale seeing someone other than Lambert-Smith (who had a near 100-yard day in his own right) excel for the Nittany Lions against the Terrapins.

Dante Cephas expressed a similar feeling after catching his first career touchdown as a Penn State Nittany Lion.

“I knew it was a touchdown, but I didn’t want to celebrate too early,” he said. “So I just had to wait and get the confirmation from the refs. But after that, I just felt relief. I just felt a lot of relief after that. [Because] I was able to be the one to get the first touchdown and help the team win.”

Changes everything: James Franklin praises breakout performance from Penn State wide receiver

While dominating start to finish on the road for the first time all season certainly is noteworthy, it’s impossible to ignore what looms on the schedule for the Nittany Lions.

If Penn State football wants to topple No. 3 Michigan next week in Beaver Stadium, it needs to see shades of the 400-yard offensive outing experienced Saturday at Maryland. A critical component of a potential upset will be the Nittany Lions’ ability to spread the ball to multiple playmakers in the passing game.

While he didn’t acknowledge next week’s game specifically, James Franklin recognized how important Saturday’s performance from Dante Cephas was for doing just that.

“It changes everything,” Franklin said of Cephas’s play after the game. “When there’s one guy that people are concerned about, a lot of defenses can figure out a way to make that challenging. But now there’s multiple guys. The tight ends, multiple receivers that are making plays. It’s a real positive. Hopefully, it’s a big confidence boost for him and for us as well, and we can build on it.”



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

Trending



Copyright © 2024 Basic Blues Nation. All Rights Reserved.

Website designed by ShayanXtreme

Step into the dazzling universe of Golden Crown Casino, where every spin of the reel and flip of the card could be your ticket to fortune. Our cutting-edge platform combines sleek design with heart-pounding gameplay, offering an unparalleled gambling experience that keeps you coming back for more.

At PlayCroco Casino, adventure lurks around every corner. Whether you're chasing massive progressive jackpots or testing your skills at our live dealer tables, the excitement never stops. With lightning-fast payouts and generous bonuses, your next big win is always within reach.

Sharpen your strategy at Richard Casino, where skill meets chance in perfect harmony. Our innovative game mechanics and high RTP slots give savvy players the edge they need to turn the tables in their favor.

Descubra el lujo en Spin Samurai Casino, donde cada giro es una oportunidad para reescribir su destino. El juego nunca fue tan emocionante.

Step into the dazzling universe of Golden Crown Casino, where every spin of the reel and flip of the card could be your ticket to fortune. Our cutting-edge platform combines sleek design with heart-pounding gameplay, offering an unparalleled gambling experience that keeps you coming back for more.

At PlayCroco Casino, adventure lurks around every corner. Whether you're chasing massive progressive jackpots or testing your skills at our live dealer tables, the excitement never stops. With lightning-fast payouts and generous bonuses, your next big win is always within reach.

Sharpen your strategy at Richard Casino, where skill meets chance in perfect harmony. Our innovative game mechanics and high RTP slots give savvy players the edge they need to turn the tables in their favor.

Descubra el lujo en Spin Samurai Casino, donde cada giro es una oportunidad para reescribir su destino. El juego nunca fue tan emocionante.