Penn State came into the 2024 season wanting and needing to get more explosiveness out of the offense and passing game. It was only one game to start the season, but the new offense being managed by Andy Kotelnicki delivered in a season-opening win at West Virginia.
In all, Penn State had 15 plays that gained 15 yards or more either on the ground or through the air (the 15 plays combined for 346 yards of offense). Nick Singleton broke loose for two runs of 40 yards, including one that went for a touchdown to open the second half.
But the biggest game changers came through the air, including Omari Evans coming down with a football over the middle of the field late in the first half. Penn State looked like they were going to run out the final seconds late in the first half after West Virginia cut the lead to 13-6 with a field goal. After handing off to Singleton for a short gain, Penn State rushed the offense back to the line of scrimmage and Drew Allar unloaded a deep ball down the field in an attempt to catch West Virginia napping or grasping for a breather. The pass was a bit of a floater, but it worked and was followed up by a dart from Allar to Harrison Wallace III for his second touchdown of the half ( Wallace scored on a long pass play earlier in the second quarter too).
Best photos from Penn State's season-opening win at West Virginia
“I thought Omari (Evans) coming back and making a play on that was huge,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said in his postgame press conference following the 34-12 victory. “I think I said at halftime, ‘ducks accepted, spirals preferred’. I’ve chucked a bunch of those ducks up myself.”
Ducks accepted, spirals preferred. That’s a good way of looking at it. The timing of the deep pass caught by Evans is worth considering as well. It was a low-risk, high-reward situation for Penn State.
Had the ball been picked off by West Virginia, as floaters like that play in particular are most vulnerable to be, it might have been a low-risk, high reward situation West Virginia would have had roughly 10 seconds deep on their side of the field to try a Hail Mary play of their own, or simply take a knee and go to halftime down only 13-6.
But Penn State seized the moment and took a chance rolling the dice once more with a shot to the end zone. This time with a preferred spiral.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris (4) celebrates a pass breakup in the first half of an… Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris (4) celebrates a pass breakup in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula keeps the ball on the ground in the first half of… Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula keeps the ball on the ground in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) celebrates with Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) catches a pass over West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. (1) for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass to Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5) celebrates after making a catch during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5) make a catch over West Virginia Mountaineers safety Aubrey Burks (2) during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs up the middle in the first half of an… Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs up the middle in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State head coach James Franklin walks the sideline in the first half of an NCAA… Penn State head coach James Franklin walks the sideline in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's Kaytron Allen celebrates after scoring a 20-yard receiving touchdown in the first half of… Penn State's Kaytron Allen celebrates after scoring a 20-yard receiving touchdown in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's Kaytron Allen scores on a 20-yard reception in the first half of an NCAA… Penn State's Kaytron Allen scores on a 20-yard reception in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to throw in the first half of an NCAA… Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to throw in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's Nick Singleton runs with the ball in the first half of an NCAA football… Penn State's Nick Singleton runs with the ball in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State tight end Tyler Warren catches a pass in the first half of an NCAA… Penn State tight end Tyler Warren catches a pass in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State wide receiver Trey Wallace III (6) hauls in a reception in the first half… Penn State wide receiver Trey Wallace III (6) hauls in a reception in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's KJ Winston Jr. (2) brings down West Virginia's Jahiem White in the first half… Penn State's KJ Winston Jr. (2) brings down West Virginia's Jahiem White in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's Abdul Carter (11) motions after the defense recovered a West Virginia fumble in the… Penn State's Abdul Carter (11) motions after the defense recovered a West Virginia fumble in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cheerleaders perform during the second… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cheerleaders perform during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Players fight for a loose ball during the second… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Players fight for a loose ball during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) celebrates with Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh (68) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State safety Jaylen Reed (1) breaks up a pass intended for West Virginia's Traylon Ray… Penn State safety Jaylen Reed (1) breaks up a pass intended for West Virginia's Traylon Ray in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) pressures a pass from West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) breaks… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) breaks up a pass intended for West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Traylon Ray (7) during the first quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) celebrates… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) celebrates after a play during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jalen Kimber (3) and… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jalen Kimber (3) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) celebrate after a defensive stop during the first quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks to a referee during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) fumbles a… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) fumbles a snap during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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