Penn State seemed to turn some heads and open some eyes around the college football world in Week 1. Penn State’s 34-12 road win at West Virginia was an encouraging performance and will hopefully serve as a preview of things to come this season after the offense opened things up and generated some of the big-gain plays that were rare to see a season ago.
Following the results of Week 1 around the nation, with just a couple more games still to officially go in the books, Penn State was among the teams earning high praise in the weekly roundup from USA TODAY college football writer Paul Myerberg. In Myerberg’s first weekly roundup of winners and losers from college football’s weekend action, Penn State was singled out as one of the top performers.
“The No. 9 Nittany Lions’ new-look offense delivered 457 yards on 7.6 yards per play, led by quarterback Drew Allar ’s 216 passing yards and three touchdowns on 13.1 yards per throw, in a 34-12 win at West Virginia,” Myereberg highlighted. “This a quick validation of James Franklin’s decision to hire coordinator Andy Kotelnicki , who previously worked wonders in the same position at Kansas.”
Penn State had just eight plays of 40 yards or more last season. On Saturday against West Virginia, Penn State had four , with two in the air and two on the ground.
“The turning point was a late touchdown drive to end the first half, a 73-yard haul in just three plays to put Penn State in front 20-6 at the break,” Myerberg went on to say. “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.”
The expansion of the College Football Playoff from four teams to 12 was expected to benefit a team like Penn State, but the schedule opens up the possibility for Penn State to make a run for a spot in the Big Ten championship game. This opening road win sets the tone for that objective, but Penn State still has some more challenges to come on the road this season.
Penn State will get Ohio State and Washington at home, but the Nittany Lions will have to make road trips to USC and Wisconsin this season as well. It may have just been one week at West Virginia, but the Nittany Lions sure had the look of a legitimate Big Ten contender in Week 1.
Penn State will play its home opener in Week 2 on Saturday afternoon against Bowling Green. The game will air at noon Eastern on Big Ten Network.
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