FOOTBALL

Penn State football should be competing for CFP spot in 2023

Penn State’s 2022 campaign was immensely successful. It snapped the 7-year-long top-10 losing streak, finished 11-2, won the Rose Bowl, and more. Still, the Nittany Lions have no excuse to not be in the mix for a CFP spot in 2023.

Published

5 months ago

January 7, 2023

Chris Mangum

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; The Penn State Nittany Lions run onto the field before the game between the Utah Utes and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

As we wrap up the 2022 Penn State football season, its’s hard not to be excited for 2023 already. Despite low expectations, the Nittany Lions finished last season with an 11-2 record and a Rose Bowl Championship. In 2023, there is no excuse to be competing for less than a CFP spot and perhaps a Big Ten Championship as well.

Penn State football has the young talent to win in 2023

If anything became clear in 2022, it is that Penn State football has the talent to compete nationally moving forward. Freshman stars such as Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen propelled the Nittany Lions’ offense on the ground, while defensive standouts such as Abdul Carter helped the defense.

At quarterback, James Franklin decided to stick with Sean Clifford last year; however, Drew Allar still saw a lot of reps. Heading into the 2023 season, it is clear that this team will be one of the best offenses in the Big Ten and perhaps nationally.

Returning starters

While the Nittany Lions are looking forward to seeing a few new faces (such as Drew Allar), there is still a solid amount of talent coming back. Along the offensive line, starters such as Olu Fashanu and Hunter Nourzad will be returning. On top of that, five-stars Alex Birchmeier and J’ven Williams will be joining James Franklin’s roster. There is still some time to hit the portal if needed, though at this point I am not sure that it will come to that.

On defense, Penn State football will bring back a solid amount of talent, mostly due to its plethora of young talent across the board. Assuming Manny Diaz will still be serving as defensive coordinator in 2023, the Nittany Lions’ turnover-prone defense will be a force to be reckoned with.

Offense showed signs of improvement

In 2020 and 2021, Penn State’s offense looked to be on a downward trend. Across both seasons, the Nittany Lions scored 40 or more points twice — once in 2020 and once in 2021. In 2022 alone, the Nittany Lions scored over 40 points five times and averaged 37-points-per game, the highest since Penn State’s 11-2 season in 2019.

The offensive line took some massive strides from 2021 to 2022 and helped lead the way for Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen to combine for over 2,100 yards total. Nick Singleton alone ran for over 1,000 yards on the ground and became Penn State’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2018 (Miles Sanders).

Despite losing Jahan Dotson, Penn State football saw an increase in serviceable receivers. Parker Washington, Brenton Strange, Mitchell Tinsley, and more led Penn State to over 3,100 passing yards in 2022. Breakout stars such as Theo Johnson (TE) and KeAndre Labert-Smith (WR) will be returning to Penn State for the 2023 season as well.

Pretty good for a “transition year”

After the 2021 season — a year that saw Penn State football finish 7-6 overall with a loss to Arkansas in the Outback Bowl — most fans thought that Penn State would not be any better in 2022. We saw predictions range from 5-7 to 8-4, though most credible outlets had PSU between 7-8 wins heading into the season. For the first time since 2016, Penn State football began the season unranked in both major polls, and just like 2016, the Lions will finish in the top-10 after playing in the Rose Bowl.

This season was Penn State’s first 11-win season since 2019, its fourth 11-win season in the past six full seasons, and its third New Year’s Six win in the past five years. The Rose Bowl win was also the Nittany Lions’ second Rose Bowl win of all-time and its first since the 1995 season.

Considering that this year was supposed to be a “transition” year in State College, Penn State football overachieved by a lot. Heading into the 2023 season, this is a good sign — if 11-2 with a New Year’s Six win is a transition season, imagine what 2023 could hold for Penn State.

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Penn State football yet to name a starting quarterback heading into summer camp

The Penn State football starting quarterback situation remains unresolved heading into the summer.

Published

5 mins ago

June 9, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football starting quarterback, Drew Allar, James Franklin

Apr 15, 2023; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) walks off the field following the competition of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Yesterday, the media was invited back to State College to speak with a few members of the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff for the first time since the Blue/White game in mid-April. During the press conference, head coach James Franklin was asked about the unresolved QB situation, which was last discussed during his previous media appearance. His response was straightforward: there is currently no designated Penn State football starting quarterback.

Penn State football starting quarterback yet to be named ahead of summer ball

This fall, the Blue and White will have a new quarterback for the first time since 2018. For the past four years, Sean Clifford, the Lions’ former 6th-year QB, was assumed to be the Penn State football starting quarterback ahead of all four seasons.

Throughout the offseason, the competition has been primarily between two individuals: Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, both entering their second season with the Nittany Lions. However, head coach James Franklin emphasizes that the starting quarterback position for Penn State football is still up for grabs as the team heads into summer ball.

“I think really every year it’s the same philosophy,” James Franklin said on Thursday. “I think sometimes it’s assumed, which, I get it, but it’s competition at every position. A lot of things can happen between now and the season; even when Sean Clifford was here … he was competing for the starting job every single year. If he would get beat out, that was his problem, not mine.

“We have competition at every single position every single year, returning starter or not,” Franklin continued. “I think that’s the right thing to do — not only for our entire program, but I also think for the starter.”

Drew Allar is expected to take over despite the decision pending

While James Franklin is yet to name a starting quarterback for the 2023 season, it is widely assumed that former five-star prospect Drew Allar, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class, will secure the position and become the starting quarterback for Penn State football.

Blue and White fans have been eagerly anticipating the start of the Allar era in Happy Valley for years. If everything goes as expected, fans won’t have to wait much longer, as the Nittany Lions will kick off their 2023 season against West Virginia in just 85 days.

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FOOTBALL

2023 Penn State football offensive line ranked in top 10

Today, the 2023 Penn State football offensive line was ranked among the nation’s top 10.

Published

2 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Chris Mangum

Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) gestures from the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Today, new rankings were released by 247 Sports, a trusted publication in the world of college athletics, which ranked the 2023 Penn State football offensive line among the top 10 best units in the nation. A season ago, the Nittany Lions’ offensive line showed shocking improvement as they helped lead the Blue and White to an impressive 11-2 campaign, which was capped with a Rose Bowl win over Utah.

2023 Penn State football offensive line ranked among top 10 nationally

In 2021, the Penn State football offensive line was perhaps as bad as it has ever been, leading to a stagnant rushing attack, an injured quarterback, and overall offensive failure. As a result, the Blue and White made a few staff changes, and these new faces, combined with rising young talents like Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, brought the Nittany Lions back to success on the offensive side of the football.

For the first time since 2018, Penn State had a 1,000-yard rusher, and they nearly had two of them. Additionally, Sean Clifford had a chance to make decisions and throw the ball with his feet set, resulting in an improved passing game and overall success. By the end of the season, Penn State football had 11 wins, with all but one of those wins being blowouts, including the Lions’ huge win in the Rose Bowl.

Heading into the new season, the expectations for the Blue and White are growing higher and higher. The 2023 Penn State football offensive line is projected to be even bigger and better than the 2022 line. If the Nittany Lions expect to appear in the College Football Playoff or make a run at the Big Ten title this year, it will start with their performance up front.

According to today’s new rankings from 247 Sports, the 2023 Penn State football offensive line ranks among the nation’s top 10, coming in at No. 8 ahead of the new season. Fans will get their first glimpse of this new-look offensive line this fall when the Nittany Lions host the West Virginia Mountaineers at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA.

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Penn State football: Best wins over 2023 opponents – Iowa

It took all 60 minutes – literally – but Penn State football escaped this game at Kinnick with a victory.

Published

5 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Shane Lunnen

Sep 23, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) jumps over Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Joshua Jackson (15) and defensive back Amani Hooker (27) as Nittany Lions wide receiver Juwan Johnson (84) looks to block during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Penn State won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Today, we continue our series of the best Penn State football wins over 2023 opponents with Iowa. Penn State’s best wins over the Hawkeyes have come at the price of some heartache as well. The two schools met nine times before the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten, with Penn State winning six matchups.

Starting conference play, it seemed the Nittany Lions would continue this advantage, winning four of their first five contests with the Hawkeyes. But then the trouble started. Iowa dominated the series in the early 2000s. Some of the major letdowns include the infamous 6-4 game and a heartbreaking last-second loss in 2008 that cost the Nittany Lions a shot at the national championship.

Since 2011 Penn State has won most of the matchups, but the last contest in 2021 left a bad taste in the mouths of Nittany Lions fans. Penn State will look to cleanse that in this year’s matchup in Happy Valley under the lights of a Beaver Stadium White Out.

However, of all the matchups, there is one game and resulting Nittany Lion victory that stands out in this series. This would be the 2017 contest in Kinnick.

Saquon Barkley was an inhuman force for Penn State football

A game in Kinnick Stadium is never easy. The fans are raucous and sit right on top of the players. The stadium’s design literally puts the stands as close to the sidelines as possible. If it is a night game, then the atmosphere turns up tenfold.

That is precisely what the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions faced in 2017. Both teams entered the contest undefeated, and the Hawkeyes had developed a reputation for upsets. Iowa’s last three home contests against top-five foes all ended in victories. The Hawkeyes looked to make Penn State its latest victim on this late September night.

But Saquon Barkley did his part and then some to ensure the Nittany Lions would be on the winning end. He finished the game with 211 yards on the ground with a touchdown, and added 12 receptions for 94 yards. His standout play of the night was this beauty that has gone down in Penn State football folklore.

It took all 60 minutes to beat Iowa

The game was quite sluggish to start. The teams traded punts through most of the first half, with Penn State converting a field goal, missing another, and getting a safety to lead 5-0 late in the second quarter. Then Trace McSorley would throw an interception, setting up the Hawkeyes deep in Nittany Lion territory. Iowa converted the opportunity into a touchdown to take a 7-5 halftime lead.

The Nittany Lions led 15-7 after three frames. But then the Iowa offense finally woke up. Running back Akrum Wadley scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, giving Iowa a 19-15 lead with just one minute and 42 seconds remaining in the game.

It looked like the Hawkeyes would pull another upset against a top-five foe. That is, until McSorley, Barkley, and the Penn State offense went on one magical final drive. Juwan Johnson’s touchdown catch, the first of his career, silenced the Kinnick crowd as time expired.

Penn State won and kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive for several more weeks, until back-to-back close losses against Ohio State and Michigan State dashed those dreams. But the Nittany Lions finished the season with an 11-2 record and a win over Washington in the Fiesta Bowl. Despite the season not ending in a playoff berth, the game against Iowa is one Nittany Lion fans still remember fondly.