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Penn State OC Mike Yurcich still searching for ‘right combination’ at WR

The Penn State wide receiver room is still searching for the right combination of players.

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Mike Yurcich, Penn State football, Wide Receivers
Sep 2, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich looks on from the field during a warm up prior to the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The Penn State football team has the current longest active streak of scoring 30 points or more per game. But even with that crazy milestone, it doesn’t feel like the offense has found its stride. Last Saturday, it took the offense a long time to get in rhythm. To be honest, who is to say that they found their exact rhythm at Northwestern? It certainly feels like Drew Allar and the other wide receivers have not been on the same page and that needs to change fast. But offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich is confident that the group will continue to improve, they just need to find the correct rotation.

Mike Yurcich explains the search for the ‘right combination’ at WR

Coming into the 2023 season, many had their doubts about Penn State and the wide receiver room. At this point in the season, the room has not had a strong outing. Part of that is due to wide receiver No. 2 Harrison Wallace III being questionable for the past three games. Until he is 100% healthy it’s difficult to assess the room. Malik McClain and Dante Cephas have been up and down so far this season and Liam Clifford has done well in limited reps. Mike Yurcich spoke about the room.

He said, “We just need to continue to press and find the right combination of guys and keep those guys competing. The biggest thing is we are going to need them all and we just need to continue to work and master our craft and our concepts. And get better as a whole unit to keep the competition on those guys and see who emerges from that. We have to press forward, we know that time is ticking. So, that is a big part of what we want to do as far as identify the guys that we want to target on the field.”

KeAndre Lambert-Smith has impressed coach Yurcich

It hasn’t been all bad. KeAndre Lambert-Smith has stepped up in his senior campaign. Mike Yurcich made an effort to speak about the senior WR. He has been the bright spot in the room so far this season.

Yurcich said, “He’s been very consistent. I like the energy he’s bringing, he’s been a spark that we needed. He’s been explosive, he’s a guy who we can count on.”

Lambert-Smith leads the Penn State football wide receivers with 25 catches for 372 yards and 3 touchdowns through 5 games this season.



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Former Editor-In-Chief at Victory Bell Rings, Morgan is the current Site Manager for Basic Blues Nation, host of the Basic Blues Podcast, and co-host of the weekly Penn State Roar Room spaces. Morgan lives in upstate New York with his wife and cats.

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