The much-anticipated Penn State soccer season is lastly right here, and I don’t find out about y’all, however I had a blast watching this recreation after which rewatching this recreation for this text. Let’s get into it.
1. A number of issues had been necessary about Saturday.
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2. Come away with the win. Look pretty much as good as doable in fact, however successful was an important.
3. Get out of the sport as wholesome as doable. Unless there’s a secret damage that occurred that we aren’t conscious of, it looks like Penn State is as wholesome after the sport because it was going into the sport.
4. Your star gamers ought to appear like they’re above the Nevadas of the world. By and enormous, I believe the DudesTM for Penn State regarded like DudesTM.
5. Let’s begin with our BSD MVP, Dani Dennis-Sutton. Not to say I used to be decrease on DDS than the consensus coming into the season, however I wasn’t certain if he was going to essentially take his recreation to a different stage. I assumed who he was in 2024 — 8.5 sacks and 13 TFLs — could be the height for DDS on the school stage. Which, hey, is a extremely good participant and presumably a primary spherical choose. I simply wasn’t certain if he was “next up” within the Abdul Carter, Tamba Hali, Courtney Brown sense at defensive finish.
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6. His first check although, he handed with flying colours. The compelled fumbles, sacks, and TFLs will get the headlines, and rightfully so, however I assumed his affect was felt on nearly each snap he performed. Not to check him to Saquon Barkley, however in the identical manner that groups *felt* Saquon no matter if he obtained the ball or not, that’s how DDS felt to me pre-snap. Just somebody who’s an absolute terror and must be recognized particularly.
7. I assumed it was a very nice day for the line of defense as a complete. In the trenches is the place the actually good packages normally have a big benefit over the not-so-good packages, and that was actually the case for Penn State in opposition to Nevada on Saturday.
8. If we’re protecting observe of “Young DTs” (Xavier Gilliam, Tyriq Blanding, Owen Wafle, Liam Andrews, and so on.) versus the “Young DEs” (Chaz Coleman, Jaylen Harvey, Mylachi Williams, and so on.), I’d give the sting to the Young DTs for recreation one.
9. Just given the excitement across the program, I believe all of us anticipated Gilliam to be strong, however I assumed Blanding was proper there as somebody who might present actual snaps at defensive sort out. If Alonzo Ford can keep wholesome, Zane Durant with Ford, Gilliam, and Blanding is fairly rattling good.
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10. I assumed the Young DEs regarded like, properly, younger defensive ends. Chaz Coleman flashed his athleticism and twitch, however the rawness stands out as he wasn’t in a position to end any performs. Similarly, I assumed Jaylen Harvey regarded a bit disoriented at occasions, perhaps pondering greater than reacting and simply enjoying. Next two video games shall be huge for these guys with Zuriah Fisher battling an damage that stored him out in opposition to the Wolf Pack.
11. How did I make it this lengthy with out speaking concerning the large receivers? I do know this appears like hyperbole, however watching Kyron Hudson and Trebor Pena play large receiver for Penn State felt like a spiritual expertise. Hudson on the comeback route, AMEN! Pena on a crosser, HALLELUJAH! I used to be citing Bible passages I didn’t even knew existed by the third quarter.
12. Hudson had six receptions and Pena had seven. Do you understand how many Penn State receivers had a minimum of six receptions in a recreation final season?
13. Trey Wallace. Nope.
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14. Omari Evans, nah.
15. Liam Clifford? Six crisp blocks, however no, not six receptions.
16. It was NONE. And we obtained two that did it in recreation one.
17. Now was I on right here after the West Virginia recreation final 12 months maybe asking if perhaps Trey Wallace could be a bonafide WR1? Possibly. Should I study from that have and never get too hyped on Hudson and Pena? Potentially. Will I? No. Move alongside in order for you measured takes, I’m totally transformed to Hudsonpenaolicism.
18. Personally, I’d have most popular for Nicholas Singleton to common greater than 2.4 yards-per-carry, however I additionally am not involved in any respect. First recreation of the season, not everybody can go off.
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19. Kaytron Allen nonetheless regarded like Kaytron Allen, which is an efficient factor for the Nittany Lions.
20. I would love for Penn State to throw extra contained in the crimson zone and particularly inside the ten. I’m assured of the operating recreation with Singleton and Kaytron when they’re in shut. What I wish to see extra of is Allar threading throws into smaller needles, whether or not it’s to wideouts, tight ends, and even the operating backs.
21. Like sooner or later this season it’s going to be third and objective from the 4 in opposition to a extremely good staff in an enormous spot, and they’re going to want Drew Allar and the passing recreation to get it finished. I believe Nevada (and FIU and Villanova) is a pleasant time to do this, however maybe Andy Kotelnicki simply desires to maintain the whole lot near the vest.
22. Speaking of Allar, good recreation. His remains to be an excellent QB, and I assumed he did a greater job together with his footwork and utilizing his backside half to really step into throws extra constantly.
23. In earlier years, that could be a throw his decrease half in all probability isn’t in sync together with his higher half after which the ball both finally ends up with an excessive amount of air beneath or it’s not correct sufficient. So little issues like that, good to see he’s nonetheless enhancing.
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24. Was enjoyable to see Arch Manning battle within the Horseshoe in opposition to Ohio State. Who would have thought even probably the most gifted of quarterbacks aren’t going to look so sizzling in opposition to the easiest defenses?
25. Audavion Collins going from No. 29 to No. 2 is like taking steroids for his aura.
26. Got to see some Kolin Dinkins on the nickel spot and I’d actually like to listen to why he was a walk-on popping out of highschool. Played at a superb WPIAL college in North Alleghany. His brother, Khalil, was clearly a highly-touted sufficient of a prospect to finish up at Penn State. His dad performed within the NFL for 9 seasons. Size/size was there at 6-foot-0. But but, selected a most popular walk-on spot in Happy Valley over his solely supply: Robert Morris. Really, Bob Morris was the one college? Not the plethora of MAC faculties? Not Temple, Delaware, and even Villanova? Pitt, West Virginia, Syracuse? Just loopy as a result of he was one who shouldn’t have slipped by means of the cracks, however hey, pleased to have him right here.
27. I as soon as in contrast Andrew Rappleyea to Brock Bowers. Provided well being is on his facet the remainder of his profession, my tremendous energy is that I nonetheless imagine Rappleyea is the very best tight finish on the staff. He had the leg sleeve on his proper leg as he works himself again 100% from damage, however this play highlights the facility and twitch that made me AND STILL makes me excited.
28. Nevada’s offense was so overwhelmed by the line of defense, it’s powerful to grade a number of the different positions/gamers, however I assumed Amare Campbell’s athleticism popped. Not that he’s NaVorro Bowman on the market, however he suits athletically with the protection.
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29. Brad Nessler pondering it was Khalil Dinkins and never King Mack on the kick return is one thing, man. Nessler is normally nice and I perceive errors can occur, however you gotta realize it’s the 5-foot-10, 187-pound defensive again returning kicks and never the 6-foot-4, 251-pound tight finish.
30. I believe I take pleasure in CBS’s broadcast probably the most out of them, FOX, and NBC. They all love commercials for certain although.
31. Semi-hot take right here? I don’t notably that Penn State doesn’t have a “marquee” out-of-conference matchup. I believe in an ideal world I’d change Villanova for like Virginia or NC State to get a pretend “Power Four” win, however I like opening the season with a glorified scrimmage.
32. Last thought isn’t a lot a thought as a lot as it’s a reminder. We had lovely late summer season/early fall climate on Saturday, Penn State is ranked No. 2 within the nation, and so they beat the hell out of some Mountain West staff. Let’s take pleasure in these Saturdays, and each one that comes subsequent.