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Storylines from the Penn State Football Max Out Day

Several Nittany Lions stood out to us during media availabilty to close winter workouts.

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Penn State Football
Sep 7, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions assistant director of performance enhancement Chuck Losey during a warm up practice prior to the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Buffalo 45-13. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State football has officially finished its seven-week period of winter workouts. Each positional coach has posted the “Competitor of the Day” during winter workouts for their respective position. Early mornings and late hours have defined the grind these student-athletes have gone through. As the Penn State football team gets a much-needed spring break, let’s look at what we learned from media availability at Max Out Day. 

What is the Penn State Football Max Out Day Anyway?

Each year in the Lasch Building, Penn State football holds a media availability day during winter workouts. During this time, players lift the maximum amount of weight they can in front of this large crowd. Winter workouts include a lot of lifting, and this is a time to show everyone the work that has been put in the weight room. Fortunately, Basic Blues Nation was credentialed for this year’s Max Out Day, where the media got to talk to Penn State’s assistant athletic director for performance enhancement Chuck Losey.

Who Did Not Participate?

Most of the team participated in this year’s lifts. But there were some notable names absent from lifting. It is unclear why some players didn’t lift. But it didn’t appear to be injury related for most of those who didn’t participate. 

One of the best offensive linemen in college football did not lift. Olu Fashanu, a projected top-ten pick in the 2023 draft, decided to come back to State College for one more season. Olu got injured against Ohio State and never returned during the season. Assuming it’s for further recovery, he did not lift.

Another player who did not lift was Drew Allar. The five-star QB will take the reins this season as one of the most anticipated Penn State quarterbacks ever. Also absent from the workouts were big names like Kaytron Allen, Nick Singleton, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Malik McClain, Landon Tengwall, Kalen King, and many others.

What Kind of Lifting Was Done?

The only type of lifting done was squatting. Squats are obviously a great test to see the power of someone’s legs, which are the most important body part for a football player. This was a good choice as the media got to see the highest weight-bearing workouts. 

Our First Look at Storm Duck

Somebody who we got to see for the first time was transfer cornerback, Storm Duck. Duck was a three-star in the class of 2019 out of South Carolina. The six-foot, 195-pound corner looked every part of his size. 

Chuck Losey praised Storm Duck and his impact in the weight room. “Storm has been phenomenal,” Losey said. “He’s the perfect example of how you should conduct your business when you show up on campus as a grad transfer. He’s just put his head down. He’s worked. He’s one of the most consistent guys in the program day in and day out. Been really, really happy with that.”

Drew Allar Was Not in a Boot

Rumors surfaced that students saw Drew Allar walking around campus with a boot on his foot. All that Penn State football fans could wonder was whether or not their potential QB1 was healthy or not. Fear that the highest-rated QB in Penn State history would miss time during the season swirled.

Fortunately, those claims didn’t come to fruition at Max Out Day. Penn State posted a workout video featuring Allar running. Then when the media arrived at the Lasch Building, we got to see Allar walking into the building with no boot. It is safe to say that Drew Allar looks healthy and ready to go despite not participating in the workout.

Penn State Football Players Impressed Us the Most?

One player who impressed us was Abdul Carter. The sensational linebacker is going into his second season donning the coveted #11 at Penn State. Carter was able to do five reps at 465 pounds. 

Another player who impressed us was breakout defensive end, Chop Robinson. The Maryland transfer is also coming into his second season at Penn State. Chop did six reps at 435 pounds. 

An unexpected performance came from South African defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg. van den Berg squatted 565 pounds four times, and he finished his set by screaming and being swarmed by his teammates.

One King brother is talked about a lot at Penn State. While Kalen King is going to continue to dominate opposing wide receivers, his brother, Kobe, impressed us as Max Out Day. Kobe did 4 reps at 470 pounds and is poised for an even bigger 2023. 

Redshirt freshman QB Beau Pribula also impressed at 415 pounds. 

Others like Curtis Jacobs, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zuriah Fisher, Drew Shelton, Anthony Donkoh, and Keon Wylie caught my eye at workouts. 

There were obviously more players that impressed at workouts, but these were just the ones I was able to catch. There were multiple players lifting at once, and media and players were everywhere, making it hard to see. This made it difficult to get the weights right and to get to see every player. 

What did Chuck Losey Say?

There were a lot of questions thrown Losey’s way during his interview period. Losey talked about players who have stepped up as leaders in the weight room. Losey mentioned the loss of Ji’Ayir (“Tig”) Brown to the NFL as a notable subtraction. But Losey mentioned how Keaton Ellis and Olu Fashanu have stepped up in his place.

Losey also mentioned how Drew Allar has put on 20-25 pounds since coming to Penn State. This, he said, will help with Allar’s durability. Losey said, “he was probably behind from a strength and power standpoint, and speed when he got here. But, I’ll tell you what, he’s closed the gap.” With Allar, Losey also said that he has “pushed himself to be uncomfortable” in order to grow vocally. 

Losey also said that the incoming freshmen have adjusted well and that he has put them into a “developmental program”. 

Losey continued by praising players like Zane Durant, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Abdul Carter, Davon Townley Jr., Chop Robinson, and Kaden Saunders.



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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.

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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.



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. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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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.

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2023 Penn State football offensive line
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.



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. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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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.

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Penn State Football, Iowa
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.



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. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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