It’s no secret that the Penn State receivers group has gotten a lot of criticism over the past year, and coach Marques Hagans was asked during a Zoom call with reporters Thursday afternoon if Saturday’s game with Ohio State is a chance to make a statement.
For him, the only thing that matters is helping the team get what would be a monumental win.
“I just feel that this group has a chance to come out and play our best brand of football and do whatever is required for our team to get the win,” Hagans said. “That’s the focus, nothing more, nothing else. Work our ass off this whole week, prepare and be ready to go. Whatever the team needs us to do to help us be 1-0, that’s the main goal. That’s the ultimate focus. And that’s what we’re preparing to do.”
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Drew Allar #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball while under pressure by linebacker Cody Simon #30 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on October 21, 2023. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire)
“No.”
That’s what Penn State head coach James Franklin said when he was asked after last year’s 20-12 loss to Ohio State in Columbus if he felt Penn State’s receivers were good enough to beat Ohio State.
“We didn’t make enough plays today,” he said. “We did not make enough plays in the passing game. We weren’t able to create separation with enough time to allow those guys to separate. A combination of all those things.”
Most of the blame for Penn State’s poor offensive showing in Columbus went to either coordinator Mike Yurcich (fired three weeks later) or QB Drew Allar (18-for-42). But the receivers got their share of blame, as well.
PSU’s leading receiver, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, caught six passes for 52 yards.
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COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) in action during the game against Marshall Thundering Herd and the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 21, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 05: Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) reacts during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 5, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 05: Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) reacts during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 5, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)
For Penn State’s receivers to get the job done Saturday, it will have to go through Ohio State’s secondary. This features a star corner and safety. Cornerback Denzel Burke was a first-team all-Big Ten performer last season. Safety Caleb Downs was a first-team All-SEC performer at Alabama last year. Oh, he did this as a true freshman.
Like most people, Hagans is impressed.
“I think they do a really good job of coverage,” Hagans said. “They play man to man really well. When they adjust and go to zone, they have a real good understanding of what the defense is designed to do and they make it tough for receivers. So we have a challenge ahead of us. I think anybody that watches the film and has to play they would probably say the same thing that I’m saying. Those guys are talented. We know that, and that’s the challenge ahead of us.”
No. 3 Penn State takes on No. 4 Ohio State at noon on Fox in Beaver Stadium.
