Penn State called ‘a legitimate Big Ten threat,’ Lions speed shows up, and more of what they’re saying

Penn State football is being praised locally and nationally following its 34-12 win over West Virginia to open the 2024 season. The Nittany Lions covered a 7.5-point spread with ease and led throughout the weather-delayed contest at Milan Puskar Stadium.

“It was a great atmosphere,” Lions coach James Franklin said. “Obviously, we had to deal with the weather, and I think that changed some things, but great atmosphere. I thought they battled us very, very tough, especially early on, but we were able to do some pretty good things as the game went on. And then we talked about the critical statistics that we talk about all the time, we won most of them. So the turnover battle, we won that three to three to one explosive play battle, we won that. We met our goal on offense as well, at 18.3 percent.”

Here’s what is being said around the Internet about the 1-0 Nittany Lions.

Penn State called a Week 1 winner

USA Today columnist Paul Myerberg lists the Lions among his Week 1 winners following their big non-conference triumph.

“The turning point was a late touchdown drive to end the first half, a 73-yard haul in just three plays to respond to put Penn State in front 20-6 at the break,” Myerberg writes. “After an extended weather delay, the Nittany Lions tacked on a pair of touchdowns in the second half for a convincing road win against Power Four opponent. After one week, the Nittany Lions look like a very legitimate Big Ten threat and one of the top contenders for the playoff.”

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Lions get good grades following the win

Sports Illustrated’s Mark Wogenrich put out a postgame report card following the Nittany Lions’ triumph. He gave Penn State an A- grade overall.

“This win felt different than last year’s at home over the Mountaineers,” Wogenrich writes. “West Virginia sought to build mayhem by creating a de facto playoff environment. Which it was Friday and early Saturday. Then Penn State squeezed the life from the building with those touchdowns to end the first half and start the second. The stadium was about half full after the delay. By the end, Penn State fans were singing “Country Roads.”

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Penn State speed shows up on both sides of the ball

This is the direction PennLive reporter Bob Flounders went with his postgame analysis. He was impressed with the way the Lions move on offense and defense with a pair of new coordinators calling the shots.

“The Lions’ defense was too fast for West Virginia, limiting the Mountaineers to 2.3 yards per rush, four 3rd-down conversions and zero touchdowns in the first 47 minutes,” Flounders writes.

“The race was on, and West Virginia was a distant second.”

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Final word

BWI publisher Sean Fitz closed out his first impressions piece with this thought:

“Loved the big plays. Especially loved the aggressor mentality. Both should be there next week against Bowling Green. All in all, it was a great first test passed. Plenty to build on, plenty to improve upon. As openers with three new coordinators go, it was better than most. Penn State went to West Virginia as a playoff contender and flexed on a team that tried to will itself into the spoiler role over the last two weeks.”

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