The Penn State Nittany Lions Mid-Year Report

Penn State’s second straight 6-0 start has a different resonance this year. Measured by the score, the 2023 6-0 record was more impressive. These Nittany Lions outscored their six opponents 266-48, won twice by shutout and outscored four opponents by at least 28 points. Their biggest deficit was seven points against Northwestern, and that only lasted 4 minutes and 30 seconds before the Nittany Lions outscored the Wildcats 38-3 the rest of the game.

This season, Penn State has outscored its first six opponents 205-87, won once by shutout (against Kent State) and recorded two one-possession wins. However, the seasons still feel different. The third-ranked Nittany Lions began their bye week with an overtime win at USC, one of coach James Franklin’s most satisfying victories, and have picked up two Power 5 road wins heading into the second half of the season. They also have a freshly scrubbed offense, a QB1, the best player in the country at his position, and a defense with a few dangerous blind spots.

So it should be an intriguing second half, with visits to Wisconsin and Minnesota for the Holy Grail at Beaver Stadium on November 2nd against Ohio State. Penn State is in a prime playoff spot, schedules a home game in December and is even a contender for the Big Ten title. With prime time looming in Wisconsin following the bye week, let’s pause and reflect on the Nittany Lions’ first half. To the testimony.

OFFENSE: B+

Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has breathed new life into a group of familiar players, notably quarterback Drew Allar, tight end Tyler Warren and running back Nicholas Singleton. The Nittany Lions opened the season with explosive play, scorching Illinois with a physical running game and stunning USC with their game plan. Allar euphemistically said Penn State wanted to “empty the clip against USC,” which Kotelinicki did.

And don’t think of Kotelnicki’s plan as just a collection of tricks. He doesn’t see her like that. Lining up tackles on the edge of the line, moving a guard, off-balance the line, getting the tight end to take wildcat snaps and snap the ball all benefit his core value: get the ball to the best players . The first touches in this offense still go to Warren (5th in the Big Ten with 40 catches), Singleton (86.8 rushing yards per game), Kaytron Allen (4.7 yards per carry) and Tre Wallace (16, 65 yards per catch). Allar has never sounded more confident than when leading an attack that requires him to handle a lot of moving parts before snapping. He swings low more often, which leads to more mistakes. However, Allar is a better quarterback when he throws interceptions. Witness his 391-yard performance at USC, where Allar threw three picks (one on a Hail Mary) but masterfully directed a game-winning touchdown drive late.

The running game raised alarms over the last two weeks: a total of 85 yards without Singleton against UCLA and an average of 3.15 yards from behind at USC. And Kotelnicki still has his big test game against the Buckeyes, but the coordinator has already shown that he can create a strong preparation for it.

DEFENSE: B-

Coordinator Tom Allen made a lot of adjustments early in the season. After two games, he moved from the sidelines to the press box. During games, he gave his game microphone to defensive analyst Dan Connor. And he lost one of his best players, safety KJ Winston, after one game, forcing Allen to reassign responsibilities across his back seven. Perhaps that elasticity helped Allen’s defense decipher and fix early mistakes. Penn State allowed 60 points in the first half and 27 in the second. The Nittany Lions have allowed touchdowns on the first drive in two games, but have not allowed touchdowns in six third quarters. This drives the dueling “slow starter” and “second half team” narratives that Franklin and Allen want to smooth over.

For the most part, Penn State’s defensive line was solid, especially against Zane Durant. Edge rusher Abdul Carter is such a threat that teams are defending him by holding on to him. Linebacker Kobe King was safe in the middle. Safety Jaylen Reed plays at top speed and man coverage in the corners is accomplished brilliantly. Everyone can tackle better, and the open holes won’t fill themselves. Additionally, Ohio State’s receiving corps will put Penn State’s secondary through a comprehensive field test. The Nittany Lions may not be consistently dominant, but they are coming at the right time.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B-

The special teams story belongs to Ryan Barker, the redshirt freshman who scored 15 of Penn State’s 33 points at USC, including the Game-winning field goal. Barker, who went 6-for-6 on field goals in his two games as a starter, isn’t reinventing the place kick. Still, he consolidated his position when it was needed most, earning an “A” for an otherwise modest group.

Penn State didn’t make any special teams plays to speak of, but it didn’t turn itself on its head either. With Riley Thompson, Penn State ranks 77th in net punting but has allowed just one return (for zero yards) in six games. Likewise, Penn State doesn’t give up much in the kickoff game, but it doesn’t generate any returns either. With primary punt returner Kaden Saunders injured, Penn State is content to forgo return yards to protect the ball. Special teams could be better. But they weren’t a burden.

COACHING: B+

Kotelnicki has breathed new life into the offense, but assistants Phil Trautwein (offensive line), Ty Howle (tight ends), Marques Hagans (receivers) and Ja’Juan Seider (running backs) have contributed from a positional perspective. Penn State did a good job rotating players, especially on defense, protecting snap counts and utilizing its best assets. Strength coach Chuck Losey’s offseason work with Allar is evident in the quarterback’s improved mobility. And Franklin has allowed his coordinators, particularly Kotelnicki, to start their games with input but no interference.

Likewise, Franklin has made a move as head coach that reflects the team’s culture. In a euphoric moment after the win over USC, some Penn State players tried to place a flag on the Trojans’ midfield logo in the Coliseum. Franklin quickly stopped the moment. It was a small but important moment that underscored Franklin’s vision for this team and this season. Franklin celebrates with his team as much as any coach (and therefore his coach). “Soul level” (postgame reference) and doesn’t apologize when his backups score touchdowns in the fourth quarter. However, he wants the Nittany Lions to behave respectfully in every situation.

TOTAL: B

Players and coaches consciously admit that they have not yet worn their best suit. The team has flaws and missing pieces, and its roster may not have all of the elite talent of other high-end contenders. But Penn State begins the second half with a ton of confidence, particularly on offense, and a callousness that comes with winning in different ways. It bodes well for the rest of the season.

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